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Two DNA tests help criminalists identify people

Posted on March 18, 2012 by ev1

Posted: Sunday, March 18, 2012 1:19 am | Updated: 12:02 pm, Sun Mar 18, 2012.

Two tests are used to help identify individuals through DNA analysis, according to John Tonkyn, criminalist supervisor with the Department of Justices lab in Richmond, Calif.

The first test criminalists used is a test all DNA labs across the country conduct.

Initially, criminalists use a chemical known as Ethylenediaminetetraacetate to purify the DNA sample. The drug separates things like proteins and fats that maintain the structure of the cells walls, which protect the DNA within the nucleus of the cell.

Ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) weakens the cell to the point that the walls collapse or tear, releasing the cells contents and DNA for analysis.

Also, EDTA protects and preserves the integrity of DNA by inhibiting enzymes that are normally present in the cell, which can fragment the DNA and render it unusable.

Once the DNA is all by itself, criminalists have a set of 16 genetic markers that can test for things such as gender and other properties only inherited or found in blood relatives.

This is our best DNA profile, Tonkyn said of the analysis once the test is complete. This test provides us with the best identification for individuals because it give the most unique DNA profile.

But, if there is not enough DNA extracted from the freezer mill or the thermal cycler, Tonkyn said criminalists can use a second test the mitochondrial DNA test.

Mitochondria is part of the cell structure which also contains DNA, but the issue with the test is that the DNA comes only from the mother. That DNA is also shared with other relatives of the mother, making the sample less unique.

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Two DNA tests help criminalists identify people

Darwin peering through the molecular level

Posted on March 18, 2012 by ev1

To Bob Rose and his colleagues, evolution isn't just a theoryit's the basis for their whole career.

"The idea of evolution is seminal to biochemistry," Rose, professor of biochemistry, said. Rose is currently working with the University, researching the gene that promotes insulin-production in various species.

"We do a lot of comparisons between species, which is very evolution-based." Rose said.

Rose is currently working on comparing the insulin promoter between humans, rats and mice in order to understand what things are conserved between the species. One of the key differences between these species is that mice have two insulin genes, whereas humans only have one.

"For some reason, the function was important enough to warrant two genes we see variations like that a lot," Rose said.

Despite those differences, enough is conserved between the proteins that regulate the genes and even the genes themselves that researchers can examine them as an important evolutionarily-preserved function.

According to Paul Wollenzien, professor of biochemistry, the first signs of evolution came at the earliest stages of life. Originally, polymers of RNA, nucleic acids that can code genetic information, self-competed for replication. Next came proteins translated from that primary genetic code, and finally life began to emerge.

Even in modern organisms, there are clues to these early events. For example, there are sequences within ribosomal RNA that are shared between the three domains of life: eukaryotes, prokaryotes and achaea. This means that the sequences were present within the progenitor of these domainsa common ancestor.

"Because we can recognize these universally-conserved sequences, we take that to mean that they were established early on in evolution," Wollenzien said. Because the sequences were established very early on, it indicates a great importance for the basic functions of life.

Evolution influences the emerging field of biochemistry with something called "Instant Evolution."

More here:
Darwin peering through the molecular level

Grey's Anatomy: The Songs Beneath the Show , With Eric Dane, Sandra Oh, Sara Ramirez, Chandra Wilson, Offered March 18

Posted on March 18, 2012 by Danzig

Grey's Anatomy: The Songs Beneath the Show, With Eric Dane, Sandra Oh, Sara Ramirez, Chandra Wilson, Offered March 18

By Andrew Gans 18 Mar 2012

On March 18 cast members from the ABC hit "Grey's Anatomy" offer Grey's Anatomy: The Songs Beneath the Show at Royce Hall on the UCLA campus.

The 8 PM live musical celebration benefits The Actors Fund.

Scheduled to appear are Jessica Capshaw, Justin Chambers, Eric Dane, Sarah Drew, Chyler Leigh, Kevin McKidd, Sandra Oh, Jim Pickens, Jr., Sara Ramirez, Kim Raver and Chandra Wilson. Ingrid Michaelson will make a special guest appearance.

The actors, according to press notes, will "perform selected songs from last season's 'Musical Event,' as well as additional music from the 'Grey's Anatomy' songbook. This evening of song and story will examine the way music has always been an integral part of the storytelling on 'Grey's,' and will provide fans with a rare behind the scenes glimpse at how the show is put together."

Keyword:

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Grey's Anatomy: The Songs Beneath the Show , With Eric Dane, Sandra Oh, Sara Ramirez, Chandra Wilson, Offered March 18

Obese People at Higher Risk of Infection After Colon Surgery

Posted on March 18, 2012 by ev1

(HealthDay News) -- Obese patients are at a significantly increased risk for surgical site infections after undergoing partial or full removal of the colon, a new study finds.

It included 7,020 patients, aged 18 to 64, who had either partial or total colectomy for colon cancer, diverticulitis or inflammatory bowel disease between 2002 and 2008. Of those patients, 1,243 were obese.

The overall rate of surgical site infections was 10.3 percent, but the rate was higher in obese patients (14.5 percent) than in non-obese patients (9.5 percent). After adjusting for a number of factors, the researchers calculated that obese patients were 60 percent more likely to develop surgical site infections than non-obese patients.

The average cost of colectomy for all the patients was $16,399, but the average cost for obese patients was about $295 more than for non-obese patients.

The researchers also found that surgical site infections greatly increased the cost of the procedure. The average total cost for patients who developed surgical site infections was $31,933, compared to $14,608 for patients without infection. Read more...

AyurGold for Healthy Blood

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Brochures from LLTech – Visit booth #430 at USCAP

Posted on March 18, 2012 by ev1

Here are some .pdf brochures from LLTech regarding their Light-CT Scanner Fast Tissue Imaging System, a paper on full-field optical coherence tomography for skin imaging accepted in Dermatology, a paper from the Journal of Pathology Informatics about modified full-field coherence tomography for rapid histology of tissues and finally a paper under review for publication about full-field optical coherence tomography for human breast tissue and breast cancer.

LLTech will be at USCAP 2012 occupying booth 430.

Download LLTECH brochure March 2012

Download FFOCT skin imaging - accepted in Dermatology

Download JPatholInform_2011 Cornell

Download Large field FF-OCT on breast

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ViewsIQ at USCAP Booth #814

Posted on March 18, 2012 by ev1

ViewsIQ at USCAP Booth #814

Come see your slides in a whole new way

ViewsIQ has invented Panoptiq^TM, an interactive digital slide imaging tool built exactly for YOU, the pathologist. Designed and trialed by top pathologists at Canada's premier healthcare institutions, Panoptiq^TM empowers you to create panoramic images of your slides "on the fly" right under your own microscope. This allows you to see and communicate diagnostic information of the slide in a whole new way.

What is it?

The Panoptiq^TM system begins with your microscope, manually driven by you. By adding a camera and computer with our Panoptiq^TM software to your microscope, you have created a whole new way to view and share your slides. The Panoptiq^TM system allows you to create panoramic images of the slide in real-time at extremely high resolution with any objective, even a 100x oil objective.

Where can you see that? ViewsIQ welcomes you to USCAP at booth #814 in Vancouver.

What will you experience?

Interactively capture panoramic images of pathology slides using 4x to 100x objectives.

Product Information

Observe and build a panoramic image on the fly

Build a larger field of view of the tissue sample under microscopic observation by merely navigating the slide with a manual stage. Normally, the tissue sample is observed through a small field of view under the microscope. In contrast, Panoptiq^TM captures the fields of view as you observe the tissue sample and automatically stitches them "on the fly" into one panoramic image. At any time, you can navigate and save the panoramic image on the computer through our user-friendly interface. With desktop sharing software, You can even share the live view of the panoramic image for live consultations, tumor boards, and education.

Refocus the Image

Detect an out-of-focus portion in the panoramic image? Just return to that portion of the slide and readjust the focus with your microscope – the software automatically detects a better focus and replaces the out-of-focus portion with the refocused view. The Panoptiq^TM system preserves the best focus achieved on the panoramic image, even if the slide is observed again at a sub-optimal focus.

Simple Setup

The Panoptiq^TM system includes a high performance computer, high resolution CCD Camera, and the Panoptiq^TM software. System setup is simple. The system can be installed and ready to go within 15 minutes. Extended warranty and support packages are available. Please come to our booth for more information. Representatives from our distributors, Innovative Imaging Concepts and Quorum Technologies, will also be there to help meet your needs.

Company information:

ViewsIQ #115-887 Great Northern Way

Vancouver, BC V5T 4T5

Phone (toll-free): 1-855-VIQ-SCAN (1-855-847-7226) Fax: 416-907-1670

Email: info@viewsiq.ca

Website: http://www.viewsiq.ca

USA Distributor:

Innovative Imaging Concepts

340 Main Street Oxford, MA 01540

Phone: 508-581-0251 Fax: 508-987-7310

E-mail: info@innovative-imaging.net

Website: http://www.innovative-imaging.net

Canada Distributor:

Quorum Technologies

4673 Wellington Road #35 RR# 6

Guelph, Ontario N1H 6J3

Tel: 519-824-0854 Fax: 519-824-5845

E-mail: info@quorumtechnologies.com

Website: http://www.quorumtechnologies.com

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Digital pathology job opening at Roche

Posted on March 18, 2012 by ev1

Who we are

At Roche, 80,000 people across 150 countries are pushing back the frontiers of healthcare. Working together, we’ve become one of the world’s leading research-focused healthcare groups. Our success is built on innovation, curiosity and diversity, and on seeing each other’s differences as an advantage. To innovate healthcare, Roche has ambitious plans to keep learning and growing – and is seeking people who have the same goals for themselves.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The imaging scientist will utilize expertise in image processing, machine learning, and pattern recognition and contribute as a member of a highly collaborative team of senior engineers and scientists on initiatives pertaining to the development of imaging technology for Digital Pathology.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Design and develop innovative algorithms for quantitative analysis of histopathology images
- Design, develop and test high-performance analysis engine that can interface with multiple applications.
- Utilize skills in C/C++, C# and .Net to work on the infrastructure and applications for analysis of digital pathology images.
- Develop libraries, applications and algorithms for analysis of small and large histopathology images.
- Building a scalable system capable of handling huge amounts of data with a large user base.
- Provide technical and/or professional coordination and leadership in the execution of day-to-day program activities, as appropriate to Company objectives
- Collaborate with other technical staff in R&D related to areas such as infrastructure applications, storage and archival systems, and analysis engines.
- Collaborate with other members of the project team to meet defined scientific and technical needs, expectations and goals.
- Proactively recommend, and execute tasks and strategies in support of BioImagene’s various product requirements. Partner throughout the research, development and product lifecycle with Core Engineering and TSG Programs, and other related Company business units.
- Other duties as may be assigned by management in the pursuit of the operational goals of Company

Who you are

You’re someone who wants to influence your own development. You’re looking for a company where you have the opportunity to pursue your interests across functions and geographies, and where a job title is not considered the final definition of who you are, but the starting point.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Formal Training/Education:
Ph.D. degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related field, entry level, or Master's degree with 3+ years relevant experience.

Experience:
-Product development experience with a focus on data analysis. A PhD may be considered in lieu of product development experience. Proven track record for innovations in problems solving and analysis
- Candidate should have both a solid practical background with experience in C/C++, and software design and architecture.
- Experience in the design and development of image analysis algorithms for medical images.
- Experience working throughout the full SDLC (software development lifecycle) from concept to product deliverables through system deployment

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
-Strong understanding and experience in developing pattern recognition algorithms in large datasets.
-The candidate should enjoy solving complex problems using a mixture of creative ideas that you bring to the table.
-Hands on software development and implementation of image processing algorithms are required.
-Understanding and following of Software Engineering practices is required.
-Understanding of image processing as it relates to the development of biomedical image analysis is highly desired.
- Excellent knowledge of image processing and understanding, Machine Vision, and Pattern Recognition
- Practical knowledge of Machine Learning based methods and techniques
- Excellent background in C/C++, data structures, performance tuning
- Excellent skills in design of high performance software systems
- Strong Object Oriented Programming design, development and practice
- Strong understanding of MVC and other design patterns
- Understanding of digital Pathology is desirable but not required
-The position requires the candidate to have good mathematical and analytical skills and through knowledge of basic and advanced image processing techniques.
-Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.

Roche is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Link to Roche online application page

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Definiens at USCAP 2012

Posted on March 18, 2012 by ev1

Are you thinking about how to unlock the full potential of digital slides most effectively? Correlate unbiased and quantitative readouts provided by automated image analysis with patient outcome or therapy response. Retrieve comprehensive morphological fingerprints and molecular expression profiles on a cell-by-cell basis from digital slides.

Definiens solutions for Quantitative Digital Pathology support your goals in R&D, pre-clinical safety, clinical studies, translational medicine and the development of tissue diagnostics. Visit us at booth #807 to learn more on the novel functionality available with Definiens Tissue Studio 3.5 and the recently introduced Definiens Image Miner.

The following talks by some of our customers will provide an excellent overview of benefits from using Definiens solutions for image and data analysis:

[2139] Novel Quantitative Image-Analysis Based Scoring Technique for In-Situ Assessment of mRNA in Archival Tumor Tissues: Strong Correlation between Manual and Automated Schemes Authors: Jeffery C Hanson, Timothy R Holzer, Angie D Fulford, Robert J Konrad, Aejaz Nasir Date/Time: Monday, March 19, 2012 - 1:00 PM Session Info: Poster Session II # 308, Monday Afternoon Location: CC Exhibit Hall B3 & C

[1389] Automated Image Analysis and Scoring of Tartrate Resistance Acid Phosphatase Preparations Authors: Bryan Dangott, Mohamed Salama Date/Time: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 - 9:30 AM Session Info: Poster Session V # 212, Wednesday Morning Location: CC Exhibit Hall B3 & C

[1634] Validation of Automated Image Analysis for Hematopathology Authors: Bryan Dangott, Nisha Ramesh, Tolga Tasdizen, Mohamed Salama Date/Time: Tuesday, March 20, 2012 - 1:00 PM Session Info: Poster Session IV # 221, Tuesday Afternoon Location: CC Exhibit Hall B3 & C

[1487] Notch/HES1 and PARP1 Protein Co-Expression among B-Lymphoblastic Leukemia/Lymphoma Patients (pts) Predicts Good Prognosis Authors: Adnan Mansoor, Payam Pournazari, Michelle Dean, Sarah-Joy Haggstrom, Brant Pohorelic, Farid Kosari, Meer-Taher Shabani-Rad, Jay Patel, Iwona Auer, Xiu Yan Jiang, Doug Demetrick, Nizar Bahlis, Douglas Stewart, Alexander C Kilmowicz Date/Time: Monday, March 19, 2012 - 2:00 PM Session Info: Platform Session: Section C, Monday Afternoon Location: CC 211-214

We hope to meet you in Vancouver!

The Definiens Team

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Voicebrook and Nuance Partner to Provide Speech-Powered Reporting Solutions for Anatomic Pathology Laboratories

Posted on March 18, 2012 by ev1

Interesting agreement announced today between Voicebrook and Nuance Communications combining two industry leaders with their respective technologies related to anatomic pathology reporting further strengthens VoiceOver and Dragon products.

Voicebrook and Nuance Partner to Provide Speech-Powered Reporting Solutions for Anatomic Pathology Laboratories

Nuance’s Dragon^® Medical 360 Technology to Power Voicebrook’s Industry-Leading VoiceOver^® Software

LAKE SUCCESS, NY, March 14, 2012 – Voicebrook today announced an agreement with Nuance Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: NUAN), in which the two leaders in clinical documentation solutions will work together to deliver comprehensive, speech-enabled reporting solutions for anatomic pathology laboratories. Voicebrook will adapt its industry-leading VoiceOver^® software to maximize and incorporate the benefits of Nuance’s Dragon^® Medical 360 | Network Edition products.

Powered by Nuance’s advanced speech recognition technology, VoiceOver^® is a key component in optimizing anatomic pathology Laboratory Information System (LIS) and Digital Pathology workflows. Used by more than 200 of the most prestigious private and hospital laboratories across the United States and Canada, VoiceOver^® is proven to deliver enormous savings, efficiencies, and quality improvements to anatomic pathology laboratories.

“We have partnered with Nuance for over 10 years to bring high-quality speech recognition-based reporting solutions to healthcare organizations. Our latest agreement expands on this relationship and allows us to provide the most comprehensive speech recognition and reporting solutions for the pathology market,” said Joseph Desiderio, President, Voicebrook. By pairing VoiceOver^®, our industry-leading Pathology reporting solution, with Nuance’s award-winning Dragon^® Medical 360 line of products, we can offer pathology departments the most advanced solution possible. We are excited to expand our relationship with Nuance and provide our customers with the healthcare industry’s premier speech platform. The combination of Nuance’s expertise in creating world-class medical speech recognition applications and our deep knowledge and history in creating pathology reporting solutions makes us uniquely qualified to address the needs of this diverse and challenging market.”

VoiceOver^® includes “Integration Personalities” that voice-optimize all major LIS and Digital Pathology systems, allowing pathology professionals to choose between 100 percent user created, and digital dictation or delegated speech recognition solutions. VoiceOver^® can also be used to incorporate voice and additional automation to improve other processes including gross photography, slide labeling, even coding and billing.

“By combining Nuance’s Dragon Medical speech recognition and Voicebrook’s experience in developing and implementing pathology reporting solutions, the companies will deliver high-value solutions, empowering pathologists to rapidly create comprehensive, accurate pathology reports at a significant savings and with near-instant turnaround time, versus laboratory-wide traditional transcription or digital dictation-based solutions,” said Carina Edwards, vice president, healthcare solutions, Nuance Healthcare.

For more information, please visit http://www.voicebrook.com.

About Voicebrook

Voicebrook is the leading provider of integrated speech recognition and digital dictation solutions for Pathology. Voicebrook’s VoiceOver^® software integrates directly with most AP/LIS systems, and has been widely deployed in Pathology throughout the US and Canada. Voicebrook has developed specific best practices for implementation and on-going support, ensuring the most successful deployments of integrated speech recognition technology for Pathology.

Nuance Healthcare

Nuance Healthcare, a division of Nuance Communications, is the market leader in providing clinical understanding solutions that accurately capture and transform the patient story into meaningful, actionable information. Thousands of hospitals, providers and payers worldwide trust Nuance voice-enabled clinical documentation and analytics solutions to facilitate smarter, more efficient decisions across the healthcare enterprise. These solutions are proven to increase clinician satisfaction and HIT adoption, supporting organizations to achieve Meaningful Use of EHR systems and transform to the accountable care model. Recognized as “Best-in-KLAS” 2004-2011 for Voice Recognition we invite you to learn more, http://www.nuance.com/for-healthcare/index.htm.

Connect with Nuance Healthcare on:

For the Health of IT blog: http://nuancehealthcareblog.com/

Twitter: http://bit.ly/NuanceHCTwitter

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/NuanceHCfacebook

YouTube: http://bit.ly/NuanceHCYouTube

LinkedIn: http://linkd.in/NuanceHCLinkedIn

Source: Voicebrook

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An open source robo surgeon

Posted on March 18, 2012 by ev1

RAVENS have a bad reputation. Medieval monks, who liked to give names to everything (even things that did not need them), came up with “an unkindness” as the collective noun for these corvids. Blake Hannaford and his colleagues at the University of Washington, in Seattle, however, hope to change the impression engendered by the word. They are about to release a flock of medical robots with wing-like arms, called Ravens, in the hope of stimulating innovation in the nascent field of robotic surgery.

Robot-assisted surgery today is dominated by the da Vinci Surgical System, a device that scales down a surgeon’s hand movements to let him make tiny incisions. That leads to less tissue damage, and thus a quicker recovery for patients. Almost 2,000 da Vincis have been made, and they are used in about 200,000 operations a year around the world, most commonly hysterectomies and prostate removals.

But the da Vinci is far from perfect. It is immobile and weighs more than half a tonne, which limits its deployability, and it costs $1.8m, which puts it beyond the reach of all but the richest institutions. It also uses proprietary software. Even if researchers keen to experiment with new robotic technologies and treatments could afford one, they cannot tinker with da Vinci’s operating system.

None of that is true of the Raven. Originally developed for the American army by Dr Hannaford and Jacob Rosen of the University of California, Santa Cruz, as a prototype for robotic surgery on the battlefield, it is compact, light and cheap (relatively speaking) at around $250,000. More importantly for academics, it is also the first surgical robot to use open-source software. Its Linux-based operating system lets anyone modify and improve the original code, creating a way for researchers to experiment and collaborate.

Universities across America took delivery of the first brood of Ravens in February. At Harvard, Rob Howe and his team hope to use a Raven to operate on a beating heart, by automatically compensating for its motion. At the moment, heart surgery requires that the organ be stopped and then restarted. At the University of California, Los Angeles, meanwhile, Warren Grundfest is working on ways to give the robot a sense of touch that is communicated to the operator. Pieter Abbeel and Ken Goldberg at the University of California, Berkeley, will try teaching the robot to operate autonomously by mimicking surgeons. And Dr Rosen himself will work on ways to get human and robotic surgeons to work together.

Crucially, although individual laboratories will retain the rights to their own particular innovations, the results of these studies, and the improvements they suggest, will be stored in an online repository available to all. What happens after that is less certain. The research-oriented Raven has not yet been approved by American regulators, so all these investigations are, for the moment, restricted to operations on animals or human cadavers. And there is another, legal, problem. Intuitive Surgical, the company behind the da Vinci, holds patents that could make launching a commercial competitor tricky—at least in the immediate future.

Once those patents expire, however, the University of Washington could spin off the Raven into a start-up company. In the meantime, four more universities, including two outside America, have expressed an interest in buying one of the new robots. And even those without $250,000 to spare can participate in its development. The University of Washington is releasing a graphical simulation of the Raven that can be used to test its control system virtually. Dr Hannaford hopes that robotics researchers and amateurs will then help to find and fix bugs in the open-source code.

Link to story in The Economist

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Get Your Hands on a MikroScan – Check out Booth #638 at USCAP 2012

Posted on March 18, 2012 by ev1

What’s your pain or pleasure?

The highly versatile MikroScan D2 whole slide scanner is touted as one of the most flexible instruments in the digital pathology communications market, and MikroScan wants a chance to prove it to you.

Help Shape the Future of Pathology Communications

MikroScan is requesting feedback directly from pathologists and researchers who know what they want in a slide scanner. What would you like to see at the MikroScan in-booth demo?

The company is requesting feedback from you directly. You can let them know in advance by clicking here.

Then you will have your chance to put them to the test live and in-person next week at USCAP.

Hands-on Demos at MikroScan Booth #638 at USCAP 2012

Bring your ideas and pain points and MikroScan will make it all better. MikroScan will be exhibiting in booth #638 at USCAP 2012 in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The growing slide scanner manufacturer will provide hands-on product demonstrations of its small-footprint desktop whole slide imaging platform for digital pathology along with their viewing components.

New Developments Announced at the Show

The company will also be highlighting several new developments including:

New cloud based service for slide image viewing, sharing and analysis
Live remote consults of extremely high quality images from anywhere over the Internet
New easy integrations with virtually all LIS platforms
Improved “ATM-simple” intuitive user interface

Don’t miss this opportunity for a hands-on demo of the most versatile and affordable whole slide scanner.

Plus, check back and make sure to read the blog before USCAP kicks off for exclusive news concerning MikroScan.

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New Version of Simagis Live Web Viewer

Posted on March 18, 2012 by ev1

New redesigned web viewer for Simagis Live clouds servers is now available. Among many design and usability improvements it features the following:

- Customizable branding
- Advanced annotations
- Dual image scale (pixels and physical units if available)
- Multi-touch support for viewing on Apple iOS devices such as iPad.

Live example: http://apps.simagis.com/live/public/7884b2cf-4dcf-4f52-94f0-62ee0f9185e0

This re-design effort is aimed to better serve the needs of imaging equipment manufacturers who include Simagis Live functionality under their own brand name in order to add cloud storage, web sharing and whole slide image analysis capabilities.

About Smart Imaging Technologies:

We provide cloud software, web applications and whole slide image analysis for Digital Pathology and Virtual Microscopy. To learn more visit http://web-pathology.net

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Visiopharm and Integrated Systems Engineering Announce Collaboration on a Platform for Data Management and Efficient Workflow in TMA based Research

Posted on March 18, 2012 by ev1

From TMA to Z: Visiopharm and Integrated Systems Engineering Announce Collaboration on a Platform for Data Management and Efficient Workflow in TMA based Research

The TMA software from Visiopharm, ArrayimagerTM, is now fully compatible with the Galileo TMA system from Integrated Systems Engineering

Visiopharm, a leader in Quantitative Digital Pathology, and Integrated Systems Engineering (ISENET) the manufacturer of the innovative Galileo TMA system, announce today a non-exclusive collaboration to promote a joint solution for data management, efficient workflows, and image analysis for Tissue Microarray based research.

Tissue Microarray (TMA) technology is a technical procedure that combines tens to hundreds of paraffin- embedded tissue specimens into a single paraffin block. The use of relatively small tissue cores, positioned onto a unique slide, allows simultaneous histological analysis of hundreds of samples. TMAs provide time and money saving benefits including:

? High throughput expression screenings
? Reduction of the number of slides to be mounted and analyzed
? Reduction of the amount of reagents and antibodies used
? Analysis of various biological specimens under uniform reaction conditions

? Saving of precious biological samples and possibility to re-use donor blocks

From start to finish the high quality construction, data management, and analysis of TMAs is essential. ISENET’s

Galileo TMA CK Family, was developed with an open architecture and designed for medical research and diagnostic applications. The open architecture of the Galileo TMA creates a perfect environment for client customizations including the use of different size blocks, and the use of the TMA as a picker which enables 96/384 well plates or Eppendorff vial holders to be used. The Galileo TMA system records core position and Donor ID within an electronic report (excel or xml file export suite); ensuring maximum traceability from Donor block, to TMA core, to TMA slide core. The Galileo TMA is CE marked for IVD applications and is covered with an National Cancer Institute (NCI) license for patent #US 6,699,710 B1 titled “Tumor Tissue Microarray for Rapid Molecular Profiling.”

Digital pathology is a crucial part of an efficient TMA workflow. TMA glass slides can be scanned on any digital pathology scanning system to create whole slide images that are compatible with Visiopharm’s full suite of Cloud and Deployed analysis solutions. Visiopharm’s ArrayimagerTM automatically reads the electronic report from Galileo TMA system with the Block Design that is linking Donor ID and core position.

Slides are seamlessly imported into the Visiopharm database from all major slide databases, including essential metadata. ArrayimagerTM performs de-arraying and storing of all extracted cores in the fully searchable database, with clear identification of slide ID, and donor ID for each core. Researchers can search in any dimension, for donor ID, biomarker, results, etc, maintaining full traceability.

Michael Grunkin PhD, CEO of Visiopharm, stated “TMAs have grown in importance as a research tool since they were introduced by NIH, and have been widely applied in basic research on gene expression, biomarker discovery, references for tumor staging, and drug target validation. Recently we have even seen adoption of this approach for diagnostic purposes, and we believe that this is a growing trend. When it comes to commercial arrayers, there have only been a few very good choices. The Galileo instrument meets all the requirements we encounter in the market, when it comes to price, ease-of-use, precision, and quality. We are excited to be able to offer a fully integrated solution in collaboration with ISENET.”

TMA compatible APPs

Visiopharm’s patent pending APPCenter provides users with easy access to a growing library of over 30 ready-to- run APPs. All APPs are designed for whole slide and field-of-view images, and can be used for analysis of cores individually and for batch-processing of de-arrayed TMA cores.

There is no need to become an expert in image analysis; APPs are created for a wide range of biomarkers and validated in collaboration between experts in the field and Visiopharm’s application scientists and programmers. Custom APPs can be developed upon request, at a fixed known cost. Customers can try any APP free of charge, before investing, to make sure that 1) the APP is working according to specifications, 2) the APP provides useful results, and 3) the APP can be understood and operated. APPs are purchased for a low fixed cost, are yours to keep, and will work with both Visiopharm’s DeployedAnalysis and CloudAnalysis solutions.

Pasquale De Blasio, CEO of Integrated System Engineering, stated “TMAs require full traceability from Donor block to diagnosis. Visiopharm’s leading technology provides the essential data management and image analysis tools that the TMA community requires, and offers their solutions to users in an easy-to-use, flexible, and affordable way. Together, the collaboration between ISENET and Visiopharm will provide the research and diagnostic communities with a TMA solution focused on quality, data integrity and results.”

Visiopharm and ISENET will be exhibiting at the USCAP Annual Conference in Vancouver Canada on March 19-21, 2012. Come by and visit one of their booths, Visiopharm booth #730 and ISENET booth #521 to learn more about the advancement of Tissue Microarrays.

About Visiopharm

Over the past 10 years, Visiopharm image analysis and stereology software has become the preferred Quantitative Digital Pathology solution for leading biopharmaceutical companies, clinical researchers, and academic researchers all over the world. Visiopharm has more than 300 deployed systems worldwide and a large network of distribution and support partners, and is featured in over 400 scientific publications.

About Integrated Systems Engineering (ISENET)

ISENET was established in Italy in 1996. ISENET’s Galileo Tissue Microarrayer Family, with its open architecture, represents the most advanced TMA instrument on the market today for leading pathology researchers and biotech companies.

ISENET is a leader in Europe with more than 20 systems installed in key research institutes throughout Italy, Spain, Belgium, Brazil, Turkey, Czech Republic, and others. ISENET provides outstanding customer service, and promotes strong client relationships by providing customers with education, hardware customizations, and the design of specific applications. ISENET, in collaboration with BioSkills, also offers Tissue Microarray training courses to the scientific community. The next “Interactive Tissue Microarray Practical Course” is scheduled in Milan Italy on May 25th and 27th, 2012.

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Dilbert: Cumulonimbus Cloud

Posted on March 18, 2012 by ev1

If you follow Dilbert, I think you would agree the strip this year has been outstanding.

This one just made me think of more than a few people. Perhaps you know some of these kind as well.

Source: http://www.dilbert.com/

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Apologies from Italy

Posted on March 18, 2012 by ev1

My sincere apologies for the lack of postings and emails, and a special thanks to all of those who have so generously sent in recommendations for places to visit. I am still on the road in Italy with only intermittent internet access and days filled to the brim with museums, churches, anatomical theatres, ossuaries and reliquaries. As a teaser, here are a few of the things Evan Michelson and I have been encountering on our trip thus far. Evan has been posting more details than I; you can find them here. I will post more--with details, I promise!-- very soon upon my return!

Click on images to see larger versions.

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DigiPath Adds Affordable Digital Hematology Solution

Posted on March 18, 2012 by ev1

DigiPath, Inc®, a provider of affordable, innovative and reliable digital pathology solutions, and Medica Corporation, a leading medical device designer and manufacturer with FDA and ISO compliant manufacturing facilities, have entered into a distribution agreement allowing DigiPath to assist their digital pathology customers in adopting EasyCell assistant, an affordable and FDA cleared digital hematology solution.

EasyCell assistant uses image-processing and pattern-recognition technology to automatically locate white cells on a blood smear, pre-classify the cells and then present them to a technician for review on an LCD display. EasyCell locates and pre-classifies normal white blood cells, smudge cells, NRBC’s and variant lymphocytes. Images of these cells are then displayed, grouped by cell type, for confirmatory review.

“Our customers have been asking to augment their digital pathology deployments with automated hematology solutions,” said Eric Stoppenhagen, President of DigiPath,Inc. “EasyCell assistant complements our existing affordable, innovative, and reliable solution portfolio.”

“DigiPath’s success in promoting digital pathology adoption will be extended by complementing their product offering with an affordable hematology solution. I am delighted to have DigiPath as a distribution partner for EasyCell assistant,” stated Robert H. Hagopian, President of Medica Corporation.

About DigiPath, Inc.

DigiPath, Inc. provides the next generation of affordable, innovative, and reliable digital pathology solutions. DigiPath’s advisors bring over 60 years combined expertise in pioneering digital pathology, implementing over 500 installations at community pathology practices, hospitals, academic medical centers, reference laboratories, biopharma organizations, and life science research institutions worldwide.

About Medica Corporation

For over 25 years, Medica has used its proprietary knowledge of sensor technology to manufacture a line of easy-to-use, easy-to-maintain, low-cost blood testing analyzers. Medica is actively engaged in the development of new technology to design future analyzers with the same ease-of-use. The Company’s rapid growth is a result of strategic focus on the worldwide need to lower healthcare costs.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

This Press Release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. DigiPath has tried, whenever possible, to identify these forward-looking statements using words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "plans," "intends," "potential" and similar expressions. These statements reflect DigiPath's current beliefs and are based upon information currently available to it. Accordingly, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause DigiPath's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements. DigiPath undertakes no obligation to update or provide advice in the event of any change, addition or alteration to the information catered in this Press Release including such forward-looking statements.

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Pathology day brings science to life at the Forum in Norwich

Posted on March 17, 2012 by ev1

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital senior biomedical scientist Ann Merryweather shows Eleanor Brolly(8) the method of blood transfusion during the Forum exhibition. Photo by Simon Finlay

By CHRIS HILL Saturday, March 17, 2012 4:47 PM

The life-saving science of pathology was explored during an education event at Norwichs Millennium Library.

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Although pathology is often associated with forensics and crime investigations, visitors to The Forum today were shown its role in diagnosing and treating a range of illnesses.

Children studied mocked-up samples in Petri dishes under microscopes, while cellular scientists explained how biopsies and body tissues could be studied to identify diseases and prescribe antibiotics.

Dr Caroline Barker, a consultant microbiologist at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, said: Everybody thinks pathology is about what they see on TV in Silent Witness or CSI, but we are trying to show that it is integrally involved in diagnosing and treating diseases. It is not just about cutting up bodies and solving murders.

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Pathology day brings science to life at the Forum in Norwich

Kewanee Hospital observes National Nutrition Month

Posted on March 17, 2012 by ev1

During the month of March, Kewanee Hospital is observing National Nutrition Month, anutrition education and information campaigncreated annually by the American Dietetic Association. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. Registered Dietitian (RD) Day, also celebrated in March, increases awareness of registered dietitians as the indispensable providers of food and nutrition services and recognizes RDs for their commitment to helping people enjoy healthy lives. National Nutrition Week began in March 1973 as a week-long event and became a month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing public interest in nutrition. The American Dietetic Association's mission is to promote optimal nutrition and well-being for all people by advocating for its members. Registered Dietitian (RD) Day was created to increase awareness of registered dietitians as the indispensable providers of food and nutrition services and to recognize their commitment to helping people enjoy healthier lives. Registered Dietitian Day was observed this year on Wednesday, March 14. During this time, Kewanee Hospital recognized Katie Keaschall, the hospitals registered dietitian. Registered dietitians are specially trained and educated to translate the science of nutrition into practical solutions for living healthy, Keaschall said. The difference between a registered dietitian and a nutritionist or consultant is the level of education and accreditation requirements placed on RDs. For the month of March, a variety of new menu items have been added, focusing specifically on the four major food groups Meatless Mondays, Toss-It Tuesdays (fruit and vegetable salads), Whole Wheat Wednesdays, Try-It Thursdays (unique food items), and Fruity Fridays. Members of the community are encouraged to visit the KH Caf anytime during regular hours, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Being a registered dietitian is very rewarding, Keaschall said. Knowing that you are helping patients make changes in their eating habits to improve their health is a great feeling.

Civil Liberties Union Slams DNA Databank Expansion

Posted on March 17, 2012 by ev1

By Zachary Stieber Epoch Times Staff Created: March 17, 2012 Last Updated: March 17, 2012

NEW YORKAfter the state Legislature passed legislation that allows police to collect DNA from almost everyone who commits a crime in the state, the New York Civil Liberties Union released a statement denouncing the legislation.

Any forensics expert will tell you that including genetic samples of every person ever convicted of a misdemeanor in the DNA databank wont lead to more effective law enforcement, but it will almost certainly increase inefficiency, errors, and abuse, reads a statement by NYCLU Legislative Director Robert Perry.

Minor crimes should not require people to submit a DNA sample, said the union. The legislation excludes people convicted of possessing small amounts of marijuana and who have no prior criminal record from having to submit DNA.

While we appreciate the exception for marijuana possession, the fact is that the same exception should apply to all nonviolent, low level offenses, NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman said.

With the passage of the databank extension, the state becomes the first all crimes DNA state in the nation, by requiring DNA samples be collected from anyone convicted of a felony or penal law misdemeanor, according to a statement released by Gov. Andrew Cuomos office.

It is a proven fact: DNA helps solve crimes, prosecute the guilty, and protects the innocent, said the governor in the statement.

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Civil Liberties Union Slams DNA Databank Expansion

Dozens of students earn regional Science Fair awards

Posted on March 17, 2012 by ev1

SCIENCE FAIR RESULTS

The Pikes Peak Regional Science Fair was held March 10 at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Here are the awards earned by area students. The spelling of student names was provided by science fair officials.

GRAND AWARDS Senior high: Sara Volz, 11th grade, Cheyenne Mountain High School; Rahul Shankar, 12th grade, Rampart High School, runner up.

Junior high: Joshua Courtney, sixth grade, Monument Academy; Aleesa Muir, eighth grade, The Classical Academy, runner up.

BEST BACKBOARD Senior high: Molly Merkert, ninth grade, Palmer High School. Junior high: Seth Young, seventh grade, The Classical Academy, runner up.

SENIOR AWARDS

Biology science: Sara Volz, 11th grade, Cheyenne Mountain, first; Jenna Hartley, 10th grade, Palmer, second; Annika Bultema, ninth grade, Palmer, third; Mikaela Clemons, ninth grade, Palmer, fourth; Natasha Hamilton, ninth grade, Palmer, fifth; Devon Klingman, ninth grade, Palmer, sixth; Shelby Faulkner, ninth grade, Palmer, seventh.

Health/behavioral science: Rahul Shankar, 12th grade, Rampart, first; Mia Lynch and Jessica Nawrocki, 11th grade, Palmer, second; Emma Reece, ninth grade, Palmer, third; Lindsay Fletcher and Sara Ellison, 10th grade, Victory Christian Academy, fourth.

Physical science: Wesley Hileman, 11th grade and Matthew Hileman, ninth grade, The Classical Academy, first; Yael Courtney, 10th grade, Lewis Palmer High School, second; Sydney Anderson and Rowan Binkley-Jones, 10th grade, Edison High School, third; Maxx Helfer, ninth grade, Palmer, fourth; Molly Merkert, ninth grade, Palmer, fifth; Zachary Fackelman, ninth grade, Coronado, sixth; Nathan Hittle, ninth grade, Palmer, seventh.

Physical science, engineering mathematics and computer science: Swapnika Mallipeddi, ninth grade, Coronado, first; Heather Bangs, 11th grade, Victory Christian Academy, second: William Brown, ninth grade, Palmer, third.

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Dozens of students earn regional Science Fair awards

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