Daily Archives: September 10, 2012

Mandatory GM Labeling Would Require Major Change

Posted: September 10, 2012 at 11:10 am

CPG manufacturers may be on the cusp of monumental change as voters in California contemplate a hotly contested ballot initiative to require labeling of genetically modified foods.

Food marketers will face tough choices should the measure pass, as about 70% of processed foods sold in supermarkets contain GM ingredients like corn and soy. Some estimate that 100,000 or more foods sold in California contain some level of GE ingredients and would therefore be affected.

The mandate would be limited to the Golden State, but the implications for companies that choose not to move away from GM ingredients in advance of the July 1, 2014, deadline could be as far-reaching as consumer awareness spreads.

While the government deems genetically modified organisms safe, Californians want to judge for themselves. A Pepperdine University poll found that if the election were held last month, Californians would pass the proposition by a 3-1 margin.

To avoid the partially produced with genetic engineering label and possible consumer backlash, suppliers will likely reformulate product with more costly non-GE foods or organic ingredients, just as theyve done in countries where genetic modification disclosure is required.

Read more: Prop 37 Battle Rages in California

A recent study commissioned by the No on 37, Stop the Deceptive Food Labeling Scheme campaign, of which the Grocery Manufacturers Association is a chief sponsor, bears this out.

It projects that reformulations to non-GE and organic ingredients, which by law cannot be genetically modified, will be the most likely course taken by food producers.

Read more: California GMO Bill Is Top Priority for GMA

Retailers might also adjust their sourcing policies to gain consumer favor by incorporating more organic foods and those that have been verified under the Non-GMO Project and labeled with its seal.

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Mandatory GM Labeling Would Require Major Change

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Planet of the Apes: What is that big hunk of 'junk' DNA up to ?

Posted: at 11:10 am

Last week, in response to a media blitz promoting a $288 million DNA project called ENCODE, headlines announced that most of our DNA formerly known as "junk" was actually useful.

A number of scientists both inside the study and out took issue with this claim - which centered on the 98 percent of our DNA that isn't officially part of any gene.

Sorting the workers from the freeloaders in our DNA is crucial to understanding how our genetic code works, how it drives human evolution and influences our traits and health.

Some biologists dislike the term "junk DNA" because they already knew at least part of it is doing something essential - like regulating how the instructions in the genes are carried out.

The genes hold recipes for making proteins - the working parts and scaffolding of the body. Some of the rest of the DNA tells the genes how much of a given protein to make at any given time.

The goal of the ENCODE (Encylopedia of DNA Elements) project was to figure out which parts have those important regulatory jobs.

According to some scientists involved, they succeeded in pinning down where many of those regulators lurked and identified variants in that DNA that other studies have connected to a variety of diseases. Those findings could lead to new targets for drug research and new avenues for predictive genetic testing.

But long before this project was conceived, scientists had begun to explore our jungle of mystery DNA. The question of non-gene DNA came up in 1975, when researchers discovered that humans and chimpanzees were 98 percent genetically identical. That meant we and chimps were more closely related than mice were to rats, or chimps were to gorillas.

The researchers who did the comparison pointed out that some of our differences might stem not from the genes, but from our other DNA that is regulating the genes.

That regulatory role is crucial when animals are developing in the womb. Some stretch of non-gene DNA could, for example, signal the human brain to keep growing long after chimp brain development would have shut off.

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UNC Lineberger scientists lead definition of key lung cancer genome

Posted: at 11:10 am

Public release date: 9-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Dianne G. Shaw dgs@med.unc.edu 919-966-7834 University of North Carolina Health Care

In the September 9, 2012 early online edition of Nature, scientists with The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) report that they have characterized the lung squamous cell carcinoma genome.

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of lung cancer, a disease that kills more Americans than any other type of cancer.

The national team of scientists examined tumor samples from 178 patients with untreated lung squamous cell carcinoma and completed genetic analysis of the tumors, work that paves the way for developing better, more targeted therapies to treat the cancer.

Neil Hayes, MD, MPH, a UNC investigator with TCGA, explains, "The work confirms the prevalence of commonly known cancer genes such as p53 and p16 in LSCC: alteration of p53 in patients is approaching 100 percent while 70-80 percent of patients have clear alterations of p16. Our report documents a long list of mutations that could be targeted therapeutically, some even now with drugs currently available or in clinical trials."

Dr. Hayes served as co-chair of the manuscript writing committee for the paper. With Matthew Wilkerson, PhD, he served as genomic analysis leader and mRNA sequence analysis. Dr. Hayes is an associate professor of medicine.

He says, "UNC scientists generated all of the microarray and sequencing data on RNA and provided technical expertise in analyzing it. Analyzing gene expression data is very challenging, and UNC brought a large number of collaborators in computer science, statistics, and genetics to help.

"We and all TCGA scientists worked closely together on all aspects of this work," he explains. "Participating institutions provided high-quality tumor samples for the analysis. The study required a wide range of technical expertise to perform all the assays, and no one center could have done it all. "

Putting the study in a scientific context, he explains, "This is like a lot of great science advances. Think back to the late 1700s before it was widely known that many diseases were caused by infections. It's very hard to consider the idea of an antibiotic until you've thought of a germ. We have a disease that's caused by alterations in DNA. It's hard to think about therapies until you know what's wrong with the DNA. In the case of lung cancer, we've made a huge step forward in understanding what's wrong with the DNA of lung cancer."

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Malaya Business News Online | Philippine Business News

Posted: at 11:10 am

Details Published on Monday, 10 September 2012 00:00 Written by JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR-REYES

Eczema affects about 15 to 20 percent of children and one to three percent of adults globally.

It is not contagious but could be inherited.

Eczema is a long lasting condition and anyone can have eczema which usually begins early among infants and children and may continue through adulthood.

It can easily be mistaken as a rash which oftentimes prevents people from giving it the proper attention and treatment resulting in a worsened condition that usually results to itching -especially at night that prevents one from getting a good night sleep.

Those suffering from eczema which is usually accompanied by dry, red, scaly and itchy rashes either on the neck, elbows, back of the knees, scalp, writs, and ankles among others, may also end up having low self esteem as they would be teased by their peers especially in the young ones while adults may become moody and withdraw from society which affects their productivity and well being.

Hannah Pangilinan, who just turned 13 this month, use to have this problem.

One of the five children of celebrity couple Anthony and Marcicel Pangilinan, Hannah is into sports particularly gymnastics, biking and swimming and she did not let her eczema stopped her from doing what she loves, nor would her mother Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan allow it.

Of course, I dont want to stop Hannah from going outside and enjoying life. So I had to constantly remind her to be careful and avoid triggers. Panay din ang research ko online on how I can help control the symptoms of eczema at home. Oatmeal baths, clean clothes, no chocolates, I dont even put curtains up anymore. There was even a time when I would put mittens on Hannahs hands kasi eczema usually attacks at night time, Laxa-Pangilinan said.

She said aside from Hannah, two of her other five children also have eczema though it was the worst for Hannah whose rashes are usually triggered by the smallest everyday things like sweat and dust.

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Malaya Business News Online | Philippine Business News

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10 Easy Ways to Prevent Eczema Flare-Ups

Posted: at 11:10 am

Living with eczema can be hard, but that doesn't mean you have to let it wear you down. Here are ways that would help prevent eczema flare-ups.

1. Know what triggers your flare-ups.

Before anything else, it is most important to take note of what triggers eczema and eliminate factors that may exacerbate flare-ups. These include harsh soaps, detergents, certain chemicals, jewelry, smoke, abrasive clothing and exposure to extremes of temperature and humidity.

2. Limit contact with irritants. Patients with eczema (atopic dermatitis) are more susceptible to irritants than are unaffected individuals. Alcohol and astringents found in toiletries can have a drying effect on the skin. Bath soaps can contain fragrances, which can also exacerbate flare-ups. A fragrance-free bath soap with neutral ph is therefore recommended. Wash new clothing items before wearing them to decrease levels of formaldehyde and other added chemicals. Use liquid, rather than powder detergent, and add a second rinse cycle to facilitate removal of detergent.

3. Consider environmental living conditions. Humidity and perspiration are several factors that could also cause flare-ups and should therefore be properly addressed. Try to keep children's activities as normal as possible. Keep in mind that certain sports may be better tolerated than others. Swimming is a good alternative because it does not involve heavy perspiration, physical contact or tight clothing. However, it is important to take a shower after going out of the pool to get rid of chlorine in pool water which may irritate the skin.

4. Use sunscreen. Ultraviolet light may be beneficial to some patients with eczema however too much sun may cause sunburn. Use a sunscreen to help protect your skin. Be sure to choose a non-irritating product since some sunscreens may contain irritants.

5. Identify specific allergens that may exacerbate the eczema. Infants and young children are more likely to have food allergies. Older children and adults are more likely to react to environmental and aeroallergens (allergens present in the air) which include dust mites, animal danders, molds and pollens. Potential allergens can be identified through food challenge tests or skin prick tests. Avoidance of food implicated in controlled food challenge tests usually results in clinical improvement. In patients allergic to dust mites, use of dust mite-proof encasings of pillows and mattresses, weekly washing of bed linens in hot water, removal of bedroom carpeting, and using air conditioner in decreasing the rooms humidity are proven to be also effective.

6. Wear loose cotton clothing. Clothing made of cotton are ideally recommended for patients with eczema since synthetic fabrics, wool, and other materials with rough texture can also trigger eczema flare-ups.

7. Avoid emotional stressors. Although emotional stressors do not cause eczema, it can exacerbate the illness. Some patients oftentimes react to frustration, embarrassment or other stressful events with increased itching and scratching. Psychological counseling can be beneficial for patients, who have difficulty in dealing with emotional triggers, most especially in adolescents, who consider their skin disease disfiguring. Relaxation and behavioral modification are helpful in patients with habitual scratching.

8. Dont scratch the itch. The more you scratch, the more it itches. It then becomes a never-ending cycle. Scratching can produce breaks in the skin, making it easier for bacteria and other allergens to penetrate the skin leading to worsening of the condition. Reduction of skin inflammation and dryness with topical glucocorticoids and skin hydration often symptomatically reduce the itching. Application of cold compress over the affected area also helps lessen itching, as well as the desire to scratch.

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Rundle's Three Run Homer Keeps Freedom Season Alive

Posted: at 9:14 am

September 9, 2012 - Frontier League (FL) Florence Freedom Florence, KY-The Florence Freedom were down to their final out Sunday night when Drew Rundle ended the game with a 3-run homer, giving the Freedom a 7-5 win.

With the Freedom trailing 5-4 and with two runners on, Rundle sent a 2-1 changeup from Gateway Grizzly closer Richard Barrett(0-1) over the right field wall to tie the series at two and send it back to Gateway for a decisive game five Monday night.

The Freedom took a 1-0 lead in the second off a solo homerun by Eddie Rodriguez.

Gateway came right back and placed five runs on the board in the fourth, but the Freedom began to chip away at a 5-1 deficit.

In the sixth, Rundle hit an RBI double to the gap in right center field to cut the lead to 5-2. Then in the seventh, Peter Fatse singled home two runs on an infield single. There was also an error on the shortstop Richie Jiminez Jr which allowed the second run to score.

With Gateway leading 5-4 in the ninth, the Freedom started their rally against Barrett. David Harris drew a leadoff walk. Junior Arrojo then lined a single into center. After Fatse flew out to left field and Rodriguez reached on a fielder's choice, Rundle then extended the Freedom's season with his heroics. Rundle was mobbed at home plate by his teammates as they celebrated his game winning homerun.

It was the eleventh win for the Freedom this season when trailing after the fifth inning.

The Freedom bullpen pitched five perfect innings after starter Andres Caceres went four innings giving up five hits on five runs (one earned). Brandon Mathes struck out four batters in his four innings of perfection. Jorge Marban(1-0) then collected the win pitching a 1-2-3 ninth.

The Freedom and Grizzlies will play a fifth and final game to determine who will play in the Frontier League Championship Monday night. RHP Brad Allen (1-0, 0.00) will make the start for Florence. RHP Tim Brown (1-0, 2.25) will take the mound for the Grizzlies. The game can be heard with Steve Jarnicki starting at 7:20 on Real Talk 1160 and realtalk1160.com.

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Liberty 73, Sparks 71

Posted: at 9:14 am

UpdatedSep 9, 2012 9:07 PM ET

Cappie Pondexter had 21 points and a career-high 12 rebounds, Plenette Pierson scored 17 points, and the New York Liberty rallied to beat the Sparks 73-71 Sunday.

Essence Carson scored 14 points, including 11 during a 21-3 run in the third quarter that gave the Liberty (12-17) the lead after they trailed by 14 points. New York also trailed by 15 points in the first half.

''We fought hard,'' said Pondexter, who also had eight assists. ''At one point we were down almost 16 points. I told the guys at halftime that if we fight back and be victorious, it's going to feel even better than (just) winning.''

Coupled with Chicago's 82-77 loss at Connecticut, New York moved a half-game ahead of Chicago for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Liberty have five games remaining - at home against Washington on Wednesday, followed by road games against the Mystics, San Antonio and Tulsa, and a home date against the Shock in the season finale on Sept. 22.

''We've got to play like we have to win every game,'' Liberty coach John Whisenant said. ''If we get into the playoffs with a three-game series and we play as hard as we did tonight, there won't be anybody more athletically gifted like we played tonight.''

Kristi Toliver scored 17 points, Candace Parker had 14 points and 15 rebounds, and rookie Nneka Ogwumike added 13 points for the Sparks (20-10). Los Angeles, which has lost four of its last five, remained two games ahead of San Antonio for second place in the West. The Silver Stars lost 81-62 to Minnesota earler Sunday.

''We have plenty of stuff to move forward with in terms of just trying to be the best playoff team we can be,'' Sparks coach Carol Ross said. ''We still have more business to take care of before we get to the fun stuff.''

Carson's 3-pointer tied the score at 70-all with 48 seconds remaining, and Pondexter made two free throws about 26 seconds later to put the Liberty ahead.

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Liberty 73, Sparks 71

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Pondexter carries Liberty to victory

Posted: at 9:14 am

Cappie Pondexter had 21 points and a career-high 12 rebounds, Plenette Pierson scored 17 points, and the Liberty rallied to beat the Sparks 73-71 yesterday in Newark.

Essence Carson scored 14 points, including 11 during a 21-3 run in the third quarter that gave the Liberty (12-17) the lead after they trailed by 14 points. The Liberty also trailed by 15 points in the first half.

"We fought hard," said Pondexter, who also had eight assists. "At one point we were down almost 16 points. I told the guys at halftime that if we fight back and be victorious, its going to feel even better than [just] winning."

Coupled with Chicagos 82-77 loss at Connecticut, the Liberty moved a half-game ahead of Chicago for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Liberty have five games remaining at home against Washington on Wednesday, followed by road games against the Mystics, San Antonio and Tulsa, and a home date against the Shock in the season finale on Sept. 22.

"Weve got to play like we have to win every game," Liberty coach John Whisenant said. "If we get into the playoffs with a three-game series and we play as hard as we did tonight, there wont be anybody more athletically gifted like we played tonight."

Carsons 3-pointer tied the score at 70-all with 48 seconds remaining, and Pondexter made two free throws about 26 seconds later to put the Liberty ahead.

Ebony Hoffman made 1 of 2 free throws for Los Angeles with 15 seconds remaining. On the ensuing inbounds play, the Sparks double-teamed Pondexter and tied her up when she received the pass near half-court, forcing a jump ball between her and the Sparks DeLisha Milton-Jones.

The Sparks grabbed the tipped ball and called timeout. Toliver then missed a 3 with about 5 seconds remaining, Pondexter corralled the loose ball, was fouled and made 1 of 2 from the line. She missed the second free throw, Parker got the ball and when she dribbled it was knocked away by Pondexter as time expired. After a lengthy video review, the officials ruled there was no time remaining when the ball went out of bounds.

"We didnt play very well in the second half," Toliver said. "It is something we are trying to battle through. We are continuing to learn lessons on the road. Hopefully we can learn, grow, and get better for the playoffs."

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Pondexter, Pierson rally Liberty past Sparks

Posted: at 9:13 am

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Cappie Pondexter had 21 points and a career-high 12 rebounds, Plenette Pierson scored 17 points, and the New York Liberty rallied to beat the Sparks 73-71 Sunday.

Carson's 3-pointer tied the score at 70-all with 48 seconds remaining, and Pondexter made two free throws about 26 seconds later to put the Liberty ahead.

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Sparks waste 14-point second-half lead, lose to New York Liberty

Posted: at 9:13 am

NEWARK, N.J. -- Cappie Pondexter had 21 points and 12 rebounds, Plenette Pierson scored 17 points, and the New York Liberty rallied to beat the Sparks, 73-71, on Sunday.

Essence Carson scored 14 points, including 11 during a 21-3 run in the third quarter that gave the Liberty (12-17) the lead after it trailed by 14 points in the second half.

Kristi Toliver scored 17 points, Candace Parker had 14 points and 15 rebounds, and rookie Nneka Ogwumike had 13 points for the Sparks (20-10), who remained two games ahead of San Antonio for second place in the West. The Silver Stars lost, 81-62, to Minnesota earlier Sunday.

New York's win, coupled with Chicago's 82-77 loss at Connecticut, moved the Liberty half a game ahead of the Sky for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Carson's three-pointer tied the score at 70-70 with 48 seconds left, and Pondexter made two free throws 26 seconds later to put the Liberty ahead, 72-70.

Ebony Hoffman made one of two free throws for the Sparks to make it 72-71 with 15 seconds left. On the ensuing inbounds play, the Sparks double-teamed Pondexter and tied her up when she received the pass near half court, forcing a jump ball between her and the Sparks' DeLisha Milton-Jones.

The Sparks grabbed the tipped ball and called time out. Toliver then missed a three-point shot with about five seconds left; Pondexter corralled the loose ball, was fouled and made one of two from the line. Parker got the ball and when she dribbled, it was knocked away by Pondexter as time expired. After a lengthy video review, the officials ruled there was no time remaining when the ball went out of bounds.

After trailing by 15 in the second quarter, New York cut the deficit to 48-36 at halftime.

Then Ogwumike made one of two free throws and scored a three-point play to give the Sparks their biggest lead of the second half at 52-38 with about 8 1/2 minutes remaining in the third quarter.

The Liberty then went on its big run to take a four-point lead into the fourth, with Carson's jumper with 1:38 left in the period tying the score at 55-55 and her go-ahead basket 53 seconds later giving New York its first lead of the game.

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Sparks waste 14-point second-half lead, lose to New York Liberty

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Daily Archives: September 10, 2012

Mandatory GM Labeling Would Require Major Change

Planet of the Apes: What is that big hunk of 'junk' DNA up to ?

UNC Lineberger scientists lead definition of key lung cancer genome

Malaya Business News Online | Philippine Business News

10 Easy Ways to Prevent Eczema Flare-Ups

Rundle's Three Run Homer Keeps Freedom Season Alive

Liberty 73, Sparks 71

Pondexter carries Liberty to victory

Pondexter, Pierson rally Liberty past Sparks

Sparks waste 14-point second-half lead, lose to New York Liberty

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