Program aims at improving patient’s prospects for long-term recovery

CENTER CITY, Minn., July 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Hazelden, one of the world’s largest and most respected private, nonprofit alcohol and drug addiction treatment centers, announces development of an intensive new level of post-treatment support for people in the crucial first months of recovery from addiction. The 18-month Hazelden Connection program includes one-to-one coaching, accountability reporting, random drug testing and online support, and it involves family members, employers or other concerned persons or stakeholders.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110712/DC33826LOGO)

As Janelle Wesloh, executive director of Recovery Management at Hazelden, explains, addiction is a chronic disease with relapse rates similar to rates for diabetes, hypertension and asthma. The Hazelden Connection program targets the post-treatment transition period, which is known to be a key timeframe for both reducing risk factors for relapse and laying a solid foundation for lifelong recovery.

“For people who’ve been accustomed to planning their days around drinking or other drug use, adapting to life without these chemicals can feel incredibly daunting if not downright terrifying,” says Wesloh. “Yet research tells us that those who actively engage in continuing care after addiction treatment are more likely to remain abstinent for the long haul.”

By helping participants adjust to their new life in recovery in all aspects–emotionally and socially, at home, work or school, Hazelden Connection is designed to bridge what for many has been an insurmountable gap.

This intensive level of post-treatment support and assistance is ideal for people who need additional encouragement and accountability such as those facing legal issues, custody matters, or loss of professional licensure, those who have been through addiction treatment multiple times, or anyone needing extra support following treatment, says Wesloh.

In addition to receiving regular and ongoing personal guidance from a Hazelden Connection coach, participants designate family members or other concerned persons to be actively involved in recovery support and accountability. The coach not only monitors the newly recovering individual, but also compiles monthly verification reports that are sent to key stakeholders including the participant and his or her designated family members or loved ones as well as other contacts such as the legal system or employer, as appropriate.

“The idea is to leverage and consolidate resources in support of the individual in recovery–to get him or her on solid footing right out of treatment–because we know that getting sober is the first step. Learning how to stay sober is a lifelong journey,” explains Wesloh.

At this time, Hazelden Connection is available only to Hazelden patients 18 years of age and older. Hazelden plans to make the program available later this year to individuals who have completed addiction treatment at other programs.

About Hazelden

Hazelden, a national nonprofit organization founded in 1949, helps people reclaim their lives from the disease of addiction. Built on decades of knowledge and experience, Hazelden offers a comprehensive approach to addiction that addresses the full range of patient, family, and professional needs, including substance abuse treatment and continuing care for youth and adults, research, higher education, public education and advocacy, and publishing. It has facilities in Minnesota, Oregon, Illinois, New York, and Florida. Learn more at hazelden.org.

SOURCE Hazelden Foundation

PHILADELPHIA, July 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Hundreds of Health Canada reviewers already use LORENZ docuBridge in production on a daily basis, and will now continue to do so for the next five years. “We have been the chosen solution at Health Canada since 2006, so the extension of our contract for 5 more years is a gratifying vote of confidence and a testament to the quality of the products and services we have been providing,” said Yaprak Eisinger, Managing Director, North America for LORENZ Life Sciences Group.

Some of the reasons for Health Canada deciding to continue their exclusive production use of LORENZ docuBridge and LORENZ eValidator were based on their own published studies showing significant benefits from the e-Review project. The benefits include 94% of Reviewers finding the LORENZ docuBridge easy to use and 82% finding LORENZ docuBridge meets or exceeds their needs. Health Canada currently has over 600 Reviewers trained, accessing over 25,000 e-Submission sequences stored in LORENZ docuBridge in both eCTD and non-eCTD formats.

By having a strong e-Review solution capable of consistently managing many electronic formats, Health Canada has been able to boost efficiency and internal benefits. Meanwhile, supporting non-eCTD has also provided a stepping stone to full eCTD filings, which have improved in quality and increased at over 10% per year over the past few years. Based on Health Canada’s own published statistics, eCTD validation errors have declined dramatically over the years to only about 2% since LORENZ docuBridge was chosen. Most issues at this point are either business issues (e.g. missing attestation letters) or are easily detected by the LORENZ eValidator available for free from www.lorenz.cc.

A growing number of world agencies now prefer to use LORENZ software to view incoming submissions. “Our code is one and the same whether we install LORENZ docuBridge at Health Canada, a pharmaceutical company in Japan, the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Services (BfArM,) or a CRO in California,” said Wolfgang Witzel, President, LORENZ Life Sciences Group, adding that “LORENZ docuBridge is the leading choice in industry and agencies in that it is not a point solution for a given agency, but a truly global solution.”

SOURCE LORENZ Life Sciences Group

WEBSTER, Texas, July 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — IDEV Technologies, Incorporated (IDEV), today announced the first procedures in Europe utilizing the new 6 French (6Fr) SUPERA VERITAS® Peripheral Vascular System. The new lower profile delivery system offers physicians more treatment options, easier operation, and greater delivery control, while providing the unique strength, flexibility, and performance benefits of the SUPERA stent.

The 6Fr size allows a smaller access site and multiple approach options when treating patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), which can be particularly important when treating stenoses or occlusions in the superficial femoral artery (SFA) and the popliteal artery. In addition to having a lower entry profile, the new 6Fr system is available in two catheter lengths, 80 cm and 120 cm, and offers even better efficiency and trackability.

Initial procedures were done last month at Canisius-Wilhelmina Ziekenhuis (CWZ) in Nijmegen, Netherlands and also at three German sites: Park Hospital in Leipzig, Heart Centre Bad Krozingen, and University Hospital in Heidelberg. Feedback from the treating physicians has been enthusiastic.

“The new 6Fr system allowed for better control of stent deployment while requiring less force to deliver,” commented Andrej Schmidt, MD, PhD, at the Park Hospital. “In addition, the modified outer sheath easily tracked through tortuous anatomy. Over the years, IDEV has continued to refine the stent delivery system to provide greater utility and flexibility to physicians.”

Dr. Sebastian Sixt of Herz Zentrum (Heart Centre) Bad Krozingen stated, “I appreciate how easily I can control the stent delivery. The improved delivery makes it very straightforward to predict the stent landing zone, and treat the lesion appropriately.”

Dr. Peter Haarbrink of CWZ and Dr. Erwin Blessing at Heidelberg agree the lower profile 6Fr system offers the benefits of the SUPERA stent to portions of the market that were not previously served. Dr. Haarbrink elaborated, “Many of our procedures utilize 6Fr systems, so having SUPERA VERITAS now available in this size allows us to use our stent of choice without switching to a different sheath.”

“Launching the lower profile SUPERA VERITAS system was a key corporate milestone this year,” commented Christopher M. Owens, President and CEO of IDEV. “We are committed to meeting customer needs and working closely with physicians to provide products that are truly differentiated. This is another example of the Company investing in research and ongoing development to deliver patient benefits.”

A full launch of the lower profile 6Fr SUPERA VERITAS Peripheral Vascular System will occur this summer throughout Europe.

About IDEV Technologies, Incorporated

IDEV Technologies, Incorporated (IDEV) is an innovator and developer of next generation medical devices for use in interventional radiology, vascular surgery and cardiology. IDEV’s worldwide headquarters is located in Webster, Texas and its European headquarters is located in Beuningen, The Netherlands.

The SUPERA stent is currently indicated in the United States for the palliative treatment of biliary strictures produced by malignant neoplasms and in Europe, Canada and Australia for the treatment of biliary strictures produced by malignant neoplasms and for peripheral vascular use following failed percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA).

For more information please visit www.idevmd.com.

Contact:
Donna Lucchesi
Vice President Global Marketing
IDEV Technologies, Incorporated
(281) 525-2000

SOURCE IDEV Technologies, Incorporated

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Moszkito®, the name in “healthy flip-flops,” is offering their collection of over-the-counter insoles to now include the ARCHY® ORTHOTICS for women & men at Shoebuy.com. The ARCHY® ORTHOTIC will fit into High Heels (with heel counter), boots and loafers. In black and tan Prima Leather, they are lightweight, supportive, and “Ridiculously Comfortable”!

Moszkito was launched in 2001, offering affordable, prefabricated insoles to compete in the expensive custom orthotic market. Available in 73 sizes, Moszkito’s unique fit system allows approximately 80% of the over-the-counter customers to get a custom fit. Addressing shoe size, heel width, and arch height, the easy-to-fit footbeds come in both a FLEX and RIGID model. At $55.00, they offer a great alternative to expensive custom orthotics.

With the addition of the ARCHY® ORTHOTICS, Moszkito now offers a prefabricated insole for all types of footwear. All Moszkito insoles are designed to improve the alignment of the feet and legs, thus relieving symptoms of abnormal foot function, such as foot, leg, back or neck pain. “As the Comfort Footwear market expands, the demand for arch and foot support is becoming commonplace,” states founder Laurin Fox. “Today’s consumer is more educated in foot care, and realizes that taking care of one’s feet will be a lifetime reward.”

Based in Scottsdale, AZ, Moszkito has established a name in the footwear industry with their “healthy flip-flops.” Many of Moszkito customers recognized the need for a flip-flop with arch support that also offered great designs and fun colors, features that the baby boomer generation were demanding. Using the best-selling footshape from the Moszkito insoles, the first ARCHY Sandal was designed, in full grain leather, with a 16mm arch for support, and a heel cup and toe bar to limit motion and help prevent heel pain. “Our customers could immediately feel the difference,” said Fox.

By marketing the footbeds and sandals through comfort footwear stores, chiropractors and podiatrists, Moszkito quickly caught on as a “healthy” alternative in the flip-flop/sandal market and preform footbeds. There are now 10 core women’s and men’s sandal styles available, all with at least 16mm of arch support, in fun colorful leathers and designs. The RIGID, FLEX and SEMI-RIGID and now ARCHY® footbeds offer people that famous Moszkito arch support for their closed footwear.

The new addition of the ARCHY® ORTHOTIC at $58.00 MSRP rounds out the footbed offering by addressing the fashion footwear market. Boots and loafers continue to dominate the globe, and women’s high heels are still a staple in every fashionista’s closet. Now die-hard Moszkito lovers can enjoy the famous Moszkito arch support year-round in all types of footwear.

Moszkito products can be found at better comfort footwear stores, Chiropractors, Podiatrists or online at http://www.moszkito.com.

Contact:
Laurin Fox
[email protected]
480-502-0017

This press release was issued through eReleases(R). For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Moszkito

Pharmacy Choice and Access Now (PCAN) Opposes State’s Action To Reduce Medi-Cal Reimbursement Rates By Another 10 Percent

SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The newly formed coalition, Pharmacy Choice and Access Now (PCAN), joins other California health care access and medical providers in urging Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to reject California’s State Plan Amendment that would reduce Medi-Cal reimbursement rates by 10 percent, which would result in a significant reduction in health care access. This recent action by the state is a result of the March 2011 budget.

“We urge the Federal government to block the state’s request that would threaten health care access to millions of Californians on Medi-Cal,” said Paul Rohrer, president & chief executive officer of the Professional Pharmacy Alliance of California (PPAC) and PCAN coalition member. “If the state action is granted, both rural and urban underserved communities across California will be adversely impacted as independent pharmacists are often the only access these Medi-Cal patients have to the medications they need and it will become too costly for many pharmacies to remain open.”

According to the California Academy of Family Physicians, Medi-Cal payment rates are 20 percent lower than the national average Medicaid rates and that the state ranks 47th out of 50 in provider payment rates. The state’s request, if granted by HHS and CMS, will cut reimbursement payments by 10 percent.

Rohrer continues, “The cuts to pharmacies will reduce reimbursement rates for the dispensing of medications, in some instances, below their actual cost of service. If pharmacies cannot recover fair compensation for drug acquisition and servicing costs, we will likely see a severe reduction in the number of pharmacies that participate in Medi-Cal and employ thousands of Californians.”

In the past, the courts have blocked similar proposed reimbursement cuts as the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in 2008 found that patients would be “irreparably harmed” if the cuts were not denied. This autumn, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear this case and will consider whether Medi-Cal beneficiaries and providers have legal standing to bring a lawsuit enforcing the Federal Medicaid Act and declare that a provision of the Federal law preempts state laws that reduce reimbursement rates.

“The California Retailers Association is urging the Federal government to reject the proposed Medi-Cal State Plan Amendment as it will severely restrict beneficiaries’ access to important health care services,” said Bill Dombrowski, president and chief executive officer of the California Retailers Association (CRA) and PCAN coalition member. “We are deeply concerned by the state’s decision as we believe that a better solution is to work with the provider community to develop alternate cost-saving proposals that will maintain health care access.”

PCAN is a newly-announced coalition that is committed to preserving quality and affordable health care and pharmacy services for patients. The coalition will work closely with providers and health care access advocates to provide the most cost-effective health care solutions for the state.

About PCAN

Pharmacy Choice and Access Now (PCAN) is a coalition of consumers, local business and pharmacists across the nation committed to preserving quality and affordable health care and pharmacy services for patients. We are committed to providing the most cost-effective solutions in the areas of health care and pharmacy services to enable states around the country to help solve their budget woes, while maintaining quality care for children, families and other Medicaid-served populations.

For more information on Pharmacy Choice and Access Now (PCAN), visit www.rxchoiceandaccess.com.

SOURCE Pharmacy Choice and Access Now

BOCA RATON, Fla., July 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — American Scientific Resources, Inc. (“American Scientific Resources” or the “Company”) (OTCQB: ASFX) and its distributor, School Health Corporation, today announced that they have received a purchase order from School Health Corporation for 108 Disintegrator Plus units to be delivered to a single school district to meet their needle disposal needs.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110124/NY34439LOGO )

The Disintegrator Plus(TM) is an FDA approved and EPA recommended needle destruction device for home use. The Disintegrator Plus(TM) is a portable -needle destruction device that uses plasma arc technology to disintegrate the syringe’s needle. The device is powered by a small, 9.6 volt nickel metal hydride (NiMh) rechargeable battery and is RoHS compliant and has the quality assurance of the CE mark. The device is intended for 27-31 gauge insulin hypodermic needles that are 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length. It can be used with most insulin pens and with disposable insulin syringes from 1/3 to 1 cubic centimeter in volume. The used needle is inserted into a hole on the device and the power button is pressed for a few seconds. The battery produces an arc of electricity that melts and blunts the needle tip, kills pathogens and seals the syringe making it safe to throw directly into the household trash. The action produces no smoke, ash or residue and there is nothing to clean out. The Disintegrator Plus(TM) is a portable needle destruction device that serves as an effective alternative to conventional sharps containers for disposal of used needles for self injectors.

“People who rely on self-injection drugs for treatment, such as diabetics, persons with multiple sclerosis, kids on growth hormone, etc. are usually faced with the uncertainty of how to properly dispose of used syringes,” said Christopher F. Tirotta, MD, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of American Scientific Resources. He noted that in the school setting improper needle disposal can put children, nurses, teachers and maintenance workers at risk of needle stick injuries. “Use of the Disintegrator Plus can eliminate that risk cost-effectively,” he added.

Marc Massoglia, Senior Vice President of Sales for American Scientific Resources, noted “the significance of this sale is that this customer recognizes that the Disintegrator Plus can be a more cost-effective and eco-friendly solution for needle disposal than the traditional method of distributing and collecting sharps boxes and ensuring their proper, safe disposal after use. We continue to target schools as an ideal environment for the Disintegrator because it can be used for years, produces no ash, residue, or smoke and leaves nothing to be cleaned out. The Disintegrator Plus destroyed syringe is safe and makes proper needle/syringe disposal very convenient.”

Rob Rogers, Chief Operating Officer of School Health Corporation added, “The Disintegrator Plus is another innovative product that School Health Corporation provides to its customers. The unit is small, portable and self-contained, thereby allowing quick, easy and safe disposal of needles in the school or home setting.”

About American Scientific Resources, Inc.

American Scientific Resources, Inc. is a purpose-driven consumer product manufacturer specializing in the clinical, home healthcare, infant and juvenile products industries. The Company sources and designs innovative health and safety products, developing advanced technology and intellectual property. The Company’s products, which include infrared thermometers and safe disposal systems for home use of sharps and needles associated with certain health care issues, are distributed through established relationships in-house and through an ever growing network of leading global healthcare distributors and retailers. Brands under the American Scientific Resources umbrella include Kidz-Med, Disintegrator Plus and VeraTemp.

For more information, visit the corporate website at www.americansci.com, www.kidzmed.com and www.disintegratorplus.com.

About School Health Corporation

Headquartered in Hanover Park, Ill., School Health Corporation is the leading supplier of health supplies and equipment to schools. Over 95% of the Top 500 school districts and largest universities in the country order from School Health each year. School Health has evolved from a specialized distributor of basic supplies to a consultative solutions provider offering its customers more than 12,000 products from over 600 manufacturers. For more information, call 1-866-323-5465 or visit http://www.schoolhealth.com.

Forward Looking Statements

The information contained herein includes forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or to our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects our current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. The safe harbor for forward looking statements contained in the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 protects companies from liability for their forward-looking statements if they comply with the requirements of the Act.

Contact:

Beverly Jedynak
President
Martin E. Janis & Company, Inc.
312-943-1123
[email protected]

Investor contact:
Investor Relations
American Scientific Resources
[email protected]
561-948-4863

SOURCE American Scientific Resources, Inc.

LUDHIANA, India, July 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Christian Medical College & Hospital (CMC) Ludhiana is the site of the first Elekta Compact(TM) linear accelerator in the world to be field-upgraded to an MLCi2-equipped Elekta Compact, completing the transformation in less than a week. MLCi2 shapes treatment beams, enabling doctors to provide more accurate delivery to the target, while limiting radiation exposure to surrounding structures.

An Elekta installation team, which worked to integrate the MLCi2 full field 80 leaf multi-leaf collimator in March, took only another three days to install the system’s iViewC(TM) digital imaging system. The Elekta team commissioned both technologies in a single day.

“The speed with which we can integrate MLCi2 in Elekta Compact demonstrates not only the skill of our installation teams, but also the inherent modularity of MLCi2, such as the way the head itself is fitted and the installation of computer cabinets,” says Russ Cox, Senior Product Manager. “iViewC was designed as a module to make it simple to install and commissioning is easy because we’re dealing with a single energy for the treatment system. Installation teams are dedicated to achieving upgrades within specified timescales, even working longer hours if required to get the job done. We are committed to further reducing field upgrade times to make it even more seamless, enabling our customers to return to treating patients as quickly as possible.”

The quick conversion of Elekta Compact – which uses asymmetric jaws and blocks for beam shaping – to an MLC-equipped Elekta Compact was impressive, according to M.K. Mahajan, M.D., Professor and Head, Department of Radiotherapy at CMC.

“This was a commendable effort on the part of the Elekta installation team,” he says. “It was an easy process and has enabled us to begin working quickly to enter dose output data into the treatment planning system and complete dose modeling so we can start treating patients. I’m quite pleased with how easy this major technological improvement was.”

Elekta Compact was designed for modular upgrades, which will help us to incorporate technological improvements as they become available or when CMC is ready for them, he adds.

Dr. Mahajan predicts that CMC’s daily patient volume on Elekta Compact should quickly increase to 50 per day within a year. Consequently, he was encouraged to learn that Elekta was committed to providing not only a comprehensive multi-year service contract, but also rapid service response to address equipment issues. “They were glad to tell us that they will be able to provide service to us in less than 24 hours.”

For additional information, visit www.elekta.com/compact.

iViewC(TM) and Elekta Compact(TM) are not available for sale or distribution in all regions.

About Elekta

Elekta is a human care company pioneering significant innovations and clinical solutions for treating cancer and brain disorders. The company develops sophisticated, state-of-the-art tools and treatment planning systems for radiation therapy and radiosurgery, as well as workflow enhancing software systems across the spectrum of cancer care.

Stretching the boundaries of science and technology, providing intelligent and resource-efficient solutions that offer confidence to both healthcare providers and patients, Elekta aims to improve, prolong and even save patient lives, making the future possible.

Today, Elekta solutions in oncology and neurosurgery are used in over 5,000 hospitals globally, and every day more than 100,000 patients receive diagnosis, treatment or follow-up with the help of a solution from the Elekta Group.

Elekta employs around 2,500 employees globally. The corporate headquarter is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and the company is listed on the Nordic Exchange under the ticker EKTAb. For more information about Elekta, please visit www.elekta.com.

SOURCE Elekta

WASHINGTON, July 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The American Red Cross is issuing an appeal for blood donors to roll up a sleeve and give blood right now because there is currently a critical blood shortage across our nation. Many donors are busy or traveling, school is out of session and donations have dropped dramatically.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090108/RedCrossLOGO )

In May and June, donations were at the lowest level the Red Cross has seen in this timeframe in over a dozen years, while demand for blood products remained steady. Because of that, the Red Cross needs blood donors now more than ever. All types are needed, but especially O negative, which can be used to treat any patient.

Since April, the Red Cross has responded to more than 40 major disasters across more than 30 states. “As a meteorologist, I know that there is a chance of tornado, flood, fire, earthquake or hurricane somewhere in our country almost every day,” said Jim Cantore, Meteorologist and member of the Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet. “Any one of these natural disasters can bring pain and heartbreak to those affected. Similarly, a critical blood shortage like the one we’re experiencing right now could have the same effect on someone in need.”

Someone like Brian Boyle, a 25-year-old whose life changed instantly when a dump truck plowed into his vehicle on his way home from swim practice in 2004. Brian lost 60% of his blood, his heart had moved across his chest and his organs and pelvis were pulverized. If Brian survived, doctors predicted that he might not be able to walk again and certainly would not swim. Against all predictions, Brian now competes in marathons and triathlons.

“When I needed it, the American Red Cross was there with 36 blood transfusions and 13 plasma treatments that saved my life in a situation where time was of the essence,” said Boyle. “Amazing medical care and volunteer blood donors helped make my recovery possible. By giving just a little bit of their time, blood donors helped give me the chance at a lifetime.”

Brian’s story highlights just how important each and every blood donation can be. The Red Cross is reaching out to eligible blood donors, sponsors and community leaders to ask them to recruit people to help meet the needs of patients in communities across the United States.

The Red Cross provides lifesaving blood to nearly 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. Every two seconds, someone in America needs a blood transfusion. Accident victims, as well as patients with cancer, sickle cell disease, blood disorders and other illnesses receive lifesaving transfusions every day. There is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are the only source.

Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to give blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.

Eligible blood donors are asked to please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to find a blood drive and to make an appointment.

          The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.(TM)

SOURCE American Red Cross

MAPLE GROVE, Minn., July 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Today Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. announced the launch of Trianex(TM) 0.05% (Triamcinolone Acetonide Ointment), a prescription topical corticosteroid offering the feel of a cream with the strength of an ointment. Trianex(TM) combines triamcinolone, the No. 1 prescribed type of topical corticosteroid,(1) with a pleasing cream-like base to relieve inflammation and itching in skin conditions that respond to treatment with corticosteroids, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (eczema).(2,3)

While ointment formulations are generally considered more potent than cream formulations of the same medication, patients may find creams more cosmetically acceptable than greasy ointments.(2,4) Trianex(TM) is formulated with a proprietary hydrous emulsified base that helps maintain moisture to soften and smooth the skin. It also provides ointment occlusivity to help enhance corticosteroid absorption, and it does not contain preservatives, which are often found in creams and can cause irritation.(2) Notably, Trianex(TM) offers the only 0.05% mid-potency triamcinolone ointment in convenient packaging, available in 17-gram and 85-gram tubes to allow for prescribing flexibility.

“With Trianex(TM), physicians and patients have the best of both worlds – a mid-potency treatment option that delivers the strength of an ointment in a proprietary cream-like base that may be pleasing to patients,” said Glenn MacEachern, Director – Product Marketing, Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. “The base for topical corticosteroids is one of many factors that may affect patient compliance, and we are pleased to offer Trianex(TM) as a unique option for sufferers of inflammation and itching due to corticosteroid-responsive skin conditions.”

Psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (eczema) are two examples of skin conditions that may respond to topical corticosteroid treatment.(2,3) An estimated 5 million people are affected by psoriasis, a chronic skin disease of scaling and inflammation.(5) According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 10 to 20 percent of children and 1 to 3 percent of adults develop atopic dermatitis, characterized by very itchy patches that cause scratching, which can lead to redness, swelling, and possible skin damage.(6)

Trianex(TM) 0.05% (Triamcinolone Acetonide Ointment) is supplied in 17g tubes (NDC 0245-0136-17) and 85g tubes (NDC 0245-0136-85). For more information about Trianex(TM), visit www.trianex-usl.com. The website provides a form for healthcare providers to request product samples and patient education material, and a cost-saving coupon for eligible patients.

Important Safety Information

Trianex(TM) 0.05% (Triamcinolone Acetonide Ointment) is indicated for the relief of itching and inflammation caused by certain skin conditions that respond to treatment with corticosteroids. It should be used as directed by your physician for the skin disorder for which it was prescribed.

Systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids has produced a reversible hormone disorder called Cushing’s syndrome, hyperglycemia, and glucosuria in some patients, including children. Children may absorb proportionally larger amounts of topical corticosteroids and thus be more susceptible to systemic toxicity. Administration of topical corticosteroids to children should be limited to the smallest amount necessary.

The treated skin area should not be bandaged or otherwise covered or wrapped so as to be occlusive, unless directed by the physician. Do not use tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants on a child being treated in the diaper area, as these garments may constitute occlusive dressings.

Patients should report any signs of local adverse reactions, especially under occlusive dressings. Local adverse reactions infrequently reported with topical corticosteroids include burning, itching, irritation, inflammation, dryness, infection, excessive hair growth, acne-like lesions, lightened skin color, allergic contact dermatitis, breakdown of the skin, stretch marks, and heat rash. If irritation develops, topical corticosteroids should be discontinued and appropriate therapy instituted.

Trianex(TM) is for external use only. It should not be used in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in Trianex(TM). Avoid contact with eyes. This safety information is not all-inclusive. Please see full prescribing information at www.trianex-usl.com or call 800-654-2299 for more information. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

About Upsher-Smith

Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. is a rapidly growing pharmaceutical company that manufactures, distributes, and markets both prescription and consumer products. Privately held since 1919, the company strives to recognize the unmet healthcare needs of its customers. Upsher-Smith prides itself on providing safe, effective, and economical therapies to the ever-changing healthcare environment. For additional information, visit www.upsher-smith.com.

About Upsher-Smith’s History in Skincare

Upsher-Smith has served the skincare needs of consumers for more than 14 years with its AmLactin® family of moisturizers, available without a prescription to help manage a variety of dry skin conditions.

References

1. IMS TRx data, 2010.
2. Ference JD, Last AR. Choosing topical corticosteroids. Am Fam Physician. 2009;79(2):135-140.
3. Trianex [prescribing information]. Maple Grove, MN: Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc., 2010.
4. Tadicherla S, Ross K, Shenefelt PD, Fenske NA. Topical corticosteroids in dermatology. J Drugs Dermatol. 2009;8(12):1093-1105.
5. National Institutes of Health “Questions and Answers about Psoriasis.” Accessed Feb. 7, 2011: http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Psoriasis/default.asp
6. American Academy of Dermatology Web page on Eczema/Atopic Dermatitis. Accessed Feb. 7, 2011: http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/skin_eczema.html

SOURCE Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J., July 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — PharmaDerm, a division of Nycomed US Inc., announced today the availability of prescription drug assistance programs to reduce health insurance co-payments for six primary dermatological brands. Under the programs, patients will pay $10 – $30 out-of-pocket for ADOXA® 150mg (doxycycline capsules), APEXICON® E (diflorasone diacetate USP 0.05% [emollient]) CREAM, CUTIVATE® (fluticasone propionate) LOTION, 0.05%, OXISTAT® (oxiconazole nitrate) CREAM, 1% and LOTION, 1%, SOLARAZE® (diclofenac sodium) Gel, 3%, and VEREGEN® (sinecatechins) Ointment, 15%.

The programs reduce the patient’s out-of-pocket costs through the use of Instant Savings Cards. These cards can be obtained directly from a doctor’s office and are used in conjunction with a valid prescription. Patients present the card to their pharmacist when filling the prescription and have their co-pay or out-of-pocket cost reduced.

“PharmaDerm listens to our community of physicians and patients to help us assess their challenges and potential obstacles to treatment. We recognize that one such challenge involves prescription co-pay expenses, which may be prohibitive for some insured patients,” said Steve Andrzejewski, CEO of Nycomed US. “The co-pay assistance programs demonstrate our commitment to being responsive to the needs of both the prescribers and the users who may benefit from our medications, which treat some of the more common skin conditions affecting patients today.”

Any individual with prescription drug benefits coverage requiring a patient co-payment is eligible to participate in the programs. Terms and conditions (e.g., co-pay amount, eligibility requirements, limits on number of prescriptions and prescription refills, program activation and expiration dates) vary by product.

To learn more about the co-pay assistance programs and to obtain Instant Savings Cards, physicians can contact their local PharmaDerm sales representative or call customer service at 1-800-645-9833. Patients who have questions about the programs can also call the customer service toll-free number.

About Nycomed US

Nycomed US Inc. is a subsidiary of Nycomed and operates two divisions in the United States focused on specialty pharmaceuticals in dermatology. Founded in 1849, Fougera is a division of Nycomed US Inc. and is the leading manufacturer and distributor of a wide range of topical products. The PharmaDerm division is dedicated to developing and commercializing novel prescription products to treat diseases and conditions of the skin – the largest organ of the human body. For more information on Fougera’s complete line of products, please call Fougera Customer Service at (800) 645-9833 or visit the company online at www.fougera.com. Information on PharmaDerm products can be found online at www.pharmaderm.com. More information is also available at www.nycomedus.com.

Contact:
Mona Daniels
PharmaDerm, a division of Nycomed US Inc.
(973) 514-4272

Kaitlyn Techtmann
MSL New York
(212) 468-3244

SOURCE PharmaDerm

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore., July 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Simplexity Health, the nation’s premier supplier of premium organic blue-green microalgae nutritional products announced today the launch of a new line of nutritional supplements designed to enhance physical performance and promote muscle and joint health.

“The creation of the plaHARD line was driven by seeing the tremendous need that exists in society today,” says Rollan Roberts II, Simplexity Health President. “There is a global emphasis on health, fitness and wellness and our plaHARD line provides the nutrition, energy, mental focus and enhanced performance required in today’s athletic world at every level. Whether you are a mom trying to get back in shape, a high school athlete or an Olympian, the plaHARD line is designed for you.”

The new plaHARD line consists of four key products: Juiced; designed for high performance athletes and formulated to enhance overall performance and naturally boost energy, Rebound; a specialized combination of select enzymes to help support joints, stimulate circulation, and support the comeback of overworked tissue, Reflex; designed to heighten instinct, sharpen mental clarity and improve reaction time, and Twist; which works naturally with a balanced blend of vegetable glucosamine, chondroitin, and Super Blue Green® Algae to promote healthy, flexible joints for athletes and active lifestyles.* All of the products have at their foundation Simplexity’s organic wild harvested blue-green microalgae, one of the most nutrient dense products on earth.

In addition to serving as a supplement for today’s athlete, the plaHARD line was also designed to stimulate healthy joints and muscles.

“Over 140 million adults in the U.S. suffer from some form of joint or connective tissue disorder,” says Simplexity Health’s Dr. Rafiuddin Shaik. “These plaHARD products were developed with a synergistic blend of herbs, enzymes and natural amino sugars to promote physical well-being, enhance mental activity and promote healthy joints and muscles.” *

The plaHARD products are now available through Simplexity Health’s independent distributors and online at www.simplexityhealth.com.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

About Simplexity Health

Simplexity Health is the world’s leading supplier of organic blue-green microalgae (Aphaninozenom flos-aquae), one of nature’s oldest and most nutrient dense foods. Founded in 1983 to promote health and wellness and provide the world with easy access to the incredible nutritional properties of blue-green algae, Simplexity Health is located in Klamath Falls, Oregon. All of the organic blue-green algae is wild harvested from Upper Klamath Lake in Southern Oregon, one of nature’s most abundant sources for this specific algae. Each of the Simplexity Health products is specifically formulated to address one or more nutritional needs; nourish, energize, protect and renew – the four building blocks of health. Since 1992, the company has also been committed to sharing its products and financial resources with people in need across the globe through its charitable foundation, Simple Solutions. Company products are sold through independent distributors. More information about the company, its product line and the nutritional benefits of blue-green algae can be found at www.simplexityhealth.com.

SOURCE Simplexity Health

HORSHAM, Pa., July 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — In a study sponsored by Topaz Pharmaceuticals Inc., a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company, scientists from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst presented data showing that a 0.5% ivermectin (IVM) cream formulation was active against lice eggs from permethrin resistant head lice. The data were presented in a poster presentation on Saturday, July 9, 2011 at the 37th Annual Meeting of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology in Baltimore, Maryland.

“These data build on our earlier work showing this ivermectin formulation is active against head lice,” said John M. Clark, Ph.D., Professor of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst. “The data suggest that a single treatment with 0.5% ivermectin cream has the potential to fully break the head louse life cycle. If approved by the FDA, ivermectin cream has the potential to provide physicians with an attractive treatment option.”

In the study, permethrin resistant head lice were allowed to lay eggs in tufts of human hair. Adult lice were removed and the tufts with eggs were exposed to 0.5% ivermectin cream, to vehicle only, or to unformulated, diluted ivermectin. After a 10-minute exposure, tufts were thoroughly rinsed and incubated. Any hatched lice were placed onto new tufts and moved to a feeding cup. The hatchability of treated eggs was not affected by ivermectin. No differences were detected between the mortality rate of eggs exposed to 0.5% ivermectin cream and those exposed to unformulated ivermectin. The percent of hatched lice from eggs exposed to 0.5% ivermectin cream that took a blood meal, relative to eggs exposed to placebo, was significantly decreased (by 82-95%). All hatched lice from eggs treated with 0.5% ivermectin cream died within 48 hours.

About Ivermectin

Ivermectin is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic agent. Its known mechanism of action is that it binds selectively to certain ion channels present in invertebrate nerve and muscle cells but not present in mammals. The resulting increase in permeability of the cell membrane causes the death of certain parasites. First developed from a soil bacterium, widespread oral use of ivermectin, under the brand name Mectizan®, began in 1987 in sub-Saharan Africa to control river blindness (onchocerciasis) in humans. More than one billion treatments of oral ivermectin have been administered to help alleviate the suffering caused by river blindness and lymphatic filariasis. On June 7, 2011, FDA accepted the new drug application of Topaz Pharmaceuticals for the use of a novel topical form of ivermectin as a potential therapy to treat head lice. This submission is presently under review by FDA.

About Topaz Pharmaceuticals

Topaz Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing treatments primarily for the pediatric and dermatology markets. The company’s lead investigational product is a topical cream formulation of ivermectin currently under development for the treatment of head lice infestations in children and adults which affect between six and 12 million people every year. Topaz has completed two phase 3 studies of ivermectin and has filed its new drug application for this potential indication. Topaz, headquartered in Horsham, PA, is backed by top-tier investors including Aisling Capital and Fidelity Biosciences. For more information about Topaz Pharmaceuticals Inc., please visit www.topazpharma.com.

Contact Information
E. Blair Schoeb
Tel: 908-277-0386
[email protected]

SOURCE Topaz Pharmaceuticals Inc.

GUANGZHOU, China, July 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ — China Medicine Corporation (Other OTC: CHME) (the “Company”), a leading manufacturer, developer and distributor of Western pharmaceuticals, traditional Chinese medicines (“TCM”), and other health products in the People’s Republic of China, today announced that the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of China Medicine Corporation, after consultation with and upon the recommendation of the management of the Company and the Audit Committee of the Board (the “Audit Committee”), concluded that the Company’s previously issued financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007, and the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods within the fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (collectively, “the previously issued financial statements”) should no longer be relied upon.

As previously disclosed in the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 23, 2011, the Board, concluded that the Company’s previously issued financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009, and the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods within the fiscal years 2008, 2009 and 2010 should no longer be relied upon.

On July 1, 2011, during the course of the on-going internal reviews by the management and the Audit Committee of the Company, the Board determined that the accounting and reporting errors at Guangzhou Konzern Medicine Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, also occurred in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 in addition to fiscal years 2008, 2009 and the quarterly periods in fiscal year 2010, as previously reported, and such errors materially impacted the previously issued financial statements. The Company currently is not able to and will not be able to quantify the impact of these errors and related accounting adjustments until the completion of its internal reviews but has concluded that the previously issued financial statements should no longer be relied upon. The Company anticipates that at the conclusion of the internal review by the Audit Committee and its legal counsel, with the assistance of Ernst & Young Advisory Services Limited, and the completion of a re-audit of the affected fiscal years, it will have revised financial results and will issue restated financial statements.

Management is assessing what changes may be necessary in the evaluation of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and its disclosure controls and procedures and will not reach a final conclusion with respect to these matters until completion of the restatement process.

As soon as practicable, in addition to the previously disclosed amendments, the Company expects to file amendments to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007, and amendments to its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods within fiscal years 2006 and 2007 reflecting the restated financial statements with respect to the previously issued financial statements. Given that the review process is still ongoing, the matters discussed herein are preliminary and subject to change.

About China Medicine Corporation

China Medicine Corporation, a vertically integrated enterprise with a research and development center, manufacturing facility and well established sales network, engages in the production and distribution of prescription and over the counter drugs, traditional Chinese medicine products, herbs and dietary-supplements, medical devices, and medical formulations in China. The Company is developing a number of proprietary products for a variety of indications, including oncology, high blood pressure and toxin removal from food and animal feeds. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at http://www.cmc621.com. The Company routinely posts important information on its website.

Safe-Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning the Company’s business and products. The Company’s actual results may differ materially depending on a number of risk factors including, but not limited to, the following: general economic and business conditions, obtaining regulatory approval for new products, government support for rural health care, competition from existing and new competitors, changes in technology, and various other factors beyond its control. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and the risk factors detailed in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. China Medicine Corporation undertakes no duty to revise or update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

Contact Information

ICR, Inc.
In New York: Ms. Christine Duan: 1-203-682-8200
In Beijing: Ms. Wen Lei Zheng: 86-10-6599-7968

SOURCE China Medicine Corporation

SHENZHEN, China, July 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ — Global Pharm Holdings Group, Inc. (OTCBB: GPHG) (“Global Pharm” or the “Company”), a China based growing vertically integrated pharmaceutical company engaged in pharmaceutical-related products distribution and Traditional Chinese Medicine (“TCM”) herbs cultivation through its seven subsidiaries in Anhui, Jilin and Shandong provinces, today announced that, on July 5, 2011, it completed the acquisition of 100% equity interests of a TCM herbal pieces processing plant: Bozhou Xinghe Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (“Bozhou Xinghe”). With the completion of this acquisition, Bozhou Xinghe becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Shandong Global Pharm Co., Ltd. (“SD Global Pharm”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Bozhou Xinghe is a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certified, TCM herbal pieces processing manufacturer located in Bozhou City, the largest TCM herbs trading market in the world.

“We are very excited to welcome Bozhou Xinghe and be afforded the opportunity to add the TCM herbal processing business segment into our integrated value chain,” stated Mr. Yunlu Yin, Chief Executive Officer of Global Pharm. “This acquisition represents a direct complement to our TCM plantation business in Bozhou and Jinan city by adding up an indispensable production capacity, so that our cultivated raw herbs can be processed directly at our own plant. In addition, this facility offers us a production platform to produce TCM pharmaceutical products in the near future. This direct-processing with our stringent quality control will further guarantee our product quality, which will reward us a premium price in the market. The new plant will also allow us to customize some herbal pieces products upon distribution customers’ request, therefore, expanding our distributed product portfolio. We believe we will offer more quality products for our rapid growing sales channels.”

On July 5, 2011, the Company obtained the new business license for Bozhou Xinghe, with registered capital of RMB 20 million (approximately USD$3.1 million). Under the terms of this acquisition, the Company will pay a total consideration of up to RMB 30 million (approximately USD$4.6 million) in cash to the former shareholders of Bozhou Xinghe. RMB 20 million (approximately USD$3.1 million) of the total consideration will be paid within 15 business days after the Company receives the new business license, and the remainder of RMB 10 million (approximately USD$1.5 million) will be paid within 9 months after the Company receives the new business license.

About Bozhou Xinghe

Established in April 2009, Bozhou Xinghe Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is a TCM herbs processing plant located in the Industrial Park of Jiaocheng District, Bozhou city, Anhui province. Bozhou Xinghe occupies 40.5 Chinese Mu (approximately 6.7 acres), with a construction area of 14,657.9 square meters (approximately 157,776.3 square feet). On August 2010, it obtained the Pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certificate. The production plant is filled with many advanced herbal piece processing equipment, and strictly follows the standards of TCM herbal pieces production process in order to ensure the product quality. The design processing capacity will be up to approximately 8,000 tons annually.

About Global Pharm

Global Pharm Holdings Group, Inc., a growing integrated pharmaceutical company, is engaged in pharmaceutical distribution and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herb planting business in the People’s Republic of China. Headquartered in Shenzhen, Global Pharm operates its pharmaceuticals distribution business through five subsidiaries, and operates its TCM herbs cultivation business through three subsidiaries located in Shandong, Anhui, and Jilin provinces. At March 31, 2011, Global Pharm owns GSP-certified, modern logistics distribution centers totally occupying approximately 237,400 square feet, manages over 9,000 inventory products and leases approximately 1,800 acres of herbal cultivation land. The Company focuses on building regional distribution channels, as well as local capillary sales network with high-margin products portfolio. Currently, its sales network covers Shandong, Jilin and Anhui provinces, as well as other developed provinces in China. Global Pharm intends to establish an integrated value chain in the pharmaceutical industry through strategic acquisitions within TCM cultivation, pharmaceutical distribution and retail sectors. Global Pharm anticipates it will achieve a solid distribution capacity and develop into a major rapid-growing and profitable pharmaceutical company. For further information, please visit the Company’s corporate website at http://www.globalpharmholdings.com.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements set forth in this press release contain or may contain forward-looking statements and information that are based upon beliefs of, and information currently available to, our management as well as estimates and assumptions made by our management. Such statements reflect the current view of our management with respect to future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors as they relate to our industry, our operations and results of operations, plans for future facilities, capital-expenditure plans and any businesses that we may acquire. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Except as required by applicable law, including the U.S. federal securities laws, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform them to actual results.

For Additional Information Contact

Global Pharm Holdings Group, Inc.
Ms. Susan Liu
Phone: +86-755-3693-9373 (Shenzhen, China)
Email: [email protected]

CCG Investor Relations, Inc.
Ms. Linda Salo, Account Manager
Phone: +1-646-922-0894 (New York, USA)
Email:[email protected]

SOURCE Global Pharm Holdings Group, Inc.

HOUSTON, Texas, July 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — Texas Medical & Sleep Specialists proudly announces that Dr. Melissa Jones has joined Dr. Joshua Rotenberg in pediatric neurology practice.

Originally from Houston, Dr. Jones is proud to be able to serve the community in which she was raised. Dr. Jones received her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine where she was awarded the American Academy of Neurology prize for excellence in neurology. While still a student, she performed research regarding advanced epilepsy treatment with the vagus nerve stimulator.

Dr. Jones completed her residency in Pediatric Neurology at Texas Children’s Hospital & Baylor College of Medicine in June. Dr. Jones practices general pediatric neurology but has special interests in seizures and developmental delay. She has lectured extensively on topics ranging from migraine to neurodevelopmental disorders.

Texas Medical & Sleep Specialists (TMSS) is a multi-specialty practice that has served Houston and San Antonio since 2009. Dr. Rotenberg, a founder of this group, also practices pediatric neurology and has sub-specialty board certification in sleep medicine for adults and children. Dr. Rotenberg is a member of the American Epilepsy Society and the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy & Developmental Medicine.

TMSS strives to preserve personal attention for people needing specialized care. Dr. Rotenberg said, “What parent wants to wait when their child has a seizure or a concussion? If a child snores or has disturbed sleep, who can wait months? To meet the need, our practice offers expedited evaluations and state-of-the-art treatments.”

The practice welcomes referrals for children and teens with seizures, headache, developmental delay, autism, cerebral palsy, movement disorders, stroke or other neurologic problems. As a sleep specialist and a neurologist, Dr. Rotenberg offers added sleep medicine services for children & adults.

“Dr. Jones will meet the local need for quality neurologic service for adults and teens. She is an excellent child neurologist with outstanding personal skills. We both strive to offer patient centered care,” said Dr. Rotenberg.

Drs. Jones and Rotenberg are accepting new patient referrals for children and adolescents. With convenient offices in Memorial City & Katy patients travel from throughout Texas and Louisiana. To contact the practice call 713-464-4107 or log on to www.txmss.com.

CONTACT: Joshua Rotenberg, Pediatric Neurology – TMSS, +1-713-464-4107, [email protected]

SOURCE TMSS

Whistleblowers Continue Court Fight Against Quest Diagnostics

Federal Government Could Recoup Hundreds of Millions – if not Billions — in Damages, Says Fair Laboratory Practices Associates

NEW YORK, July 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The U.S. Department of Justice is allowing the nation’s largest medical laboratory, Quest Diagnostics, Inc., to rip off taxpayers by hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars in a massive Medicare fraud scheme by not intervening in an anti-kickback and false claims lawsuit against the company, said the three former medical laboratory executives who filed the lawsuit.

“This fraud involves staggering amounts of money. Clearly the Justice Department must believe Quest is too big to go after and is saving its energy to muscle small-time doctors instead,” said Andrew Baker, one of the former executives of Unilab, purchased by Quest in 2003.

“We will continue to fight Quest in court, with or without the Justice Department,” said Baker.

The Justice Department publicly filed its notice yesterday with the Southern District Court of New York not to intervene in the case; however, the court granted DOJ’s request for the right to intervene at a later time.

Citing today’s New York Times’ front-page article on a little-known, relatively new DOJ policy to be more lenient on corporate fraud, Baker said DOJ’s Tony West is “sitting on his hands, doing nothing” about major corporate health care fraud. West is an Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division.

According to a joint DOJ and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services letter to U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, Justice has over 1,300 qui tam (whistleblower) cases under investigation with no decision on whether the agency will intervene. Of those, 885 allege health care fraud, and 98% of those involves Medicare or Medicaid.

The New York Times’ front-page article detailed a DOJ policy on corporate fraud that allows corporations to investigate themselves and then promise to end the fraudulent behavior. One academic described the new policy as “… creat(ing) no disincentives for committing fraud or white-collar crime…”

If Congress and the Administration are serious about cutting Medicare costs, the DOJ has to “man and woman up and go after systemic Medicare fraud, not just small medical operations,” said Baker. “Justice is basically outgunned by corporate lawyers and overwhelmed by whistleblower lawsuits.”

Quest, Baker said, is a “habitual bad player,” having recently settled for $300 million a lawsuit involving allegedly faulty hormone test kits that a Quest subsidiary sold to hospitals and doctors. Quest currently operates under a five-year “Corporate Integrity Agreement” with HHS’ Office of the Inspector General, resulting from this lawsuit.

Recently, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters filed a separate class-action racketeering lawsuit against Quest for selling the faulty hormone tests that produced incorrectly elevated results, leading to thousands of unnecessary surgeries on patients.

Baker said it’s “mystifying” why Justice refuses to intervene, given that Quest recently settled for $241 million a California lawsuit for overcharging the state’s Medicaid program. The California Attorney General’s Office negotiated the settlement with Quest.

The California lawsuit alleged Quest overcharged the state by as much as 400 percent for blood, urine and other tests conducted on Medicaid patients. For example, Quest charged the State of California $8.59 for a complete blood test, but billed private insurers only $1.43.

“This is essentially the same case, except that it involves Medicare and Medicaid across the country. If former California Attorney General Jerry Brown can find enough evidence of fraud to intervene, then Attorney General Eric Holder and Assistant Attorney General Tony West should be able to do the same,” said Baker.

Baker’s lawsuit accuses Quest of overcharging the federal government by at least $1 billion and Baker believes that the scam involves other medical labs, costing taxpayers as much as $15 billion industry wide in Medicare and Medicaid overcharges.

An expose on this particular fraud, known in the industry as “pull-through” business, is featured in the July 4th-10th edition of Bloomberg Businessweek.

The FLPA lawsuit alleges that since 1996, the federal government has paid more – sometimes as much as 400 to 500 percent more – than private insurers for some Medicare and Medicaid patients’ lab work conducted by Quest, based in Madison, NJ. The lawsuit claims that billions of dollars in lab fees have been siphoned into illegal kickbacks to private insurers, such as Aetna and Cigna, which are among Quest’s largest contract providers.

As described in the lawsuit, the fraud is simple: Quest pressures private insurers to lean on doctors to send all their lab work to Quest, for patients insured privately and by Medicare and Medicaid. In return, the private insurers benefit from lower and, in many cases, below-cost, lab fees, effectively subsidized by higher fees for the Medicare and Medicaid patients. Insurers threaten to throw doctors out of their networks if they refuse to send their tests for Medicare and Medicaid patients to Quest.

Filed in 2005 under seal before the Southern District Court of New York, the court recently unsealed an amended complaint that charges Quest with violations of the Federal False Claims Act and the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute. It can be found here.

FLPA has appealed a lower court dismissal of their claims based on procedural grounds. The lower court did not rule on the merits of the case.

SOURCE Fair Laboratory Practices Associates

SAN DIEGO, July 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Stryker Joint Preservation, a business unit of Stryker’s Orthopaedics group, today announced at the 2011 American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine meeting that it has entered into an exclusive collaboration with RegenLab SA to distribute Stryker’s RegenKit-THT, a one-step system designed for the safe and rapid preparation of autologous platelet-rich plasma (A-PRP) from a small sample of blood at the patient’s point of care.

A-PRP contains an increased concentration of platelets, while maintaining physiological levels of leukocytes (white blood cells). When activated, platelets have been found to release growth factors which may participate in the healing process, and a multitude of proteins and bioactive factors critical to the healing process and the recruitment of cells. Leukocytes are responsible primarily for defending the body against infection, but are also key players during the initial inflammation phase of tissue healing.

In comparison to competitive offerings, the A-PRP prepared using Stryker’s RegenKit-THT provides the highest platelet recovery and viability(1), while its simplified single tube preparation, with a minimal eight minute centrifuge spin time and reduced number of steps, helps maximize efficiency in the office and O.R.

“The RegenKit-THT system is the result of 10 years of scientific research in tissue regeneration and is designed to provide an autologous and physiological solution to promote a biological environment for regenerative cells enrichment. RegenLab is pleased to collaborate with Stryker, a leader in medical technologies and innovation, which will allow for the widespread distribution of our A-PRP technology,” said Antoine Turzi, Founder and CEO of RegenLab SA.

“The addition of the RegenKit for PRP therapy to Stryker’s Joint Preservation Biologics portfolio allows us to provide surgeons with this emerging therapy for orthopaedic applications. We’re pleased to collaborate with RegenLab on the distribution of this system,” said Matt Moreau, Vice President & General Manager, Stryker Joint Preservation.

To see a demonstration of this product, please visit Stryker at booth #503 at AOSSM.

About Stryker Orthopaedics

Stryker Orthopaedics is a division of the Stryker Corporation, one of the world’s leading medical technology companies. Stryker Orthopaedics offers an extensive orthopaedic product portfolio including hip, knee and upper extremity reconstructive devices, bone cement, trauma implants, bone substitutes, joint preservation products and spine systems. For more information about Stryker Orthopaedics, visit: http://www.stryker.com/en-us/products/Orthopaedics/index.htm

About Stryker

Stryker is one of the world’s leading medical technology companies and is dedicated to helping healthcare professionals perform their jobs more efficiently while enhancing patient care. The Company offers a diverse array of innovative medical technologies, including reconstructive, medical and surgical, and neurotechnology and spine products to help people lead more active and more satisfying lives. For more information about Stryker, please visit www.stryker.com.

(1) Study Report – Regen(TM) THT Tube Performance Testing, USFDA 510(k) BK090048, May 2010, Data on file at RegenLab, Switzerland.

NL11-FB-CO-1532

    Contact:  Jeanine Guilfoyle
              Stryker Orthopaedics
              201-831-6277
              [email protected]

SOURCE Stryker Orthopaedics

PHILADELPHIA, July 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — A federal court in Philadelphia is reviewing a motion for class action in a lawsuit brought by the father of an autistic child against CIGNA Insurance over its policy of denying insurance coverage for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. In his lawsuit, the plaintiff, Kristopher Churchill, alleges that CIGNA has a nationwide policy of classifying ABA as experimental, and therefore not providing insurance coverage for this therapy. The plaintiff claims that the classification of ABA therapy as experimental violates federal laws governing insurance plans. Earlier in the case, the Court denied CIGNA’s Motion to Dismiss the case on legal grounds. The case is before Judge Juan R. Sanchez.

According to the lawsuit, ABA is a well recognized and scientifically valid form of autism treatment for children. Numerous authorities and organizations have supported using ABA to treat autism, including the U.S. Surgeon General and the National Institute of Mental Health. Also, the American Academy of Pediatrics states that the effectiveness of ABA “has been well documented through 5 decades of research.” Moreover, 26 states, including Pennsylvania, mandate insurance coverage for ABA-type autism treatments.

Churchill is represented by Gerard Mantese and John Conway of Michigan, and Greg Heller of Pennsylvania. Mantese and Conway are counsel in several cases seeking insurance coverage for ABA therapy. In 2010, they obtained final approval of a class action against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan requiring payment of approximately $1 million in claims for ABA. Mantese and Conway, and former Michigan State Senator, David Honigman, are also representing thousands of military beneficiaries seeking coverage of ABA therapy from the Department of Defense and its insurer, TRICARE. In March 2011, a federal court in Washington D.C. granted class action status to the military beneficiaries in that case, Berge v Department of Defense, et al.

Contact information for Churchill’s attorneys follows:

Gerard Mantese, Esq.
Mantese Honigman Rossman and Williamson, P.C.
1361 E. Big Beaver Road
Troy, Michigan 48083
248-457-9200 Office
248-515-6419 Cell
[email protected]

John J. Conway, Esq.
John J. Conway, P.C.
26622 Woodward Avenue, Suite 225
Royal Oak, MI 48067
313-961-6525 Office
313-574-2148 Cell
[email protected]

SOURCE Mantese Honigman Rossman and Williamson, P.C.

IRVINE, Calif., July 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Smile Brands Inc., the nation’s leading provider of business support services to dental groups in the United States, today announced the grand opening of a new Monarch Dental office in Yukon, OK, part of the Oklahoma City market. This will mark the first Smile Brands office in the state of Oklahoma.

Located at 1670 Garth Brooks Blvd., Suite 115, Yukon, OK 73099 in the Yukon Village shopping complex, this new office provides families with a convenient, comfortable environment where they can receive the latest in comprehensive, quality dental care. Monarch Dental offers general dentistry, preventive care, children’s dentistry, and specialty care services, including orthodontics (braces), oral surgery, periodontics, and endodontics. Monarch Dental accepts most insurance plans and offers patients without insurance the opportunity to enroll in the ConfiDent® Dental Discount Program. Additionally, Monarch Dental offers everyone a minimum of $500 in financing with no credit check (1) and flexible payment plans, including interest-free (1) or $0 down (2).

To celebrate its grand opening, the new Yukon office is offering $49 Exam & X-Rays (3) and $100 off dental services (4). Please visit our website for additional new patient offers. This opening continues the growth and mission of Smile Brands: to provide “Smiles for Everyone!”® by bringing quality, affordable dental care to local neighborhoods.

Monarch Dental’s Stephen Campbell, D.D.S. will lead the clinical team in the new office. Dr. Campbell has been practicing dentistry for over 25 years and has advanced training in implant restoration. “I take a patient-focused approach to dentistry, discussing all the possible options and working with the patient to determine what’s best for their specific needs,” says Dr. Campbell. “Often times I even will use myself as a reference to help guide them according to what I would want for my teeth and mouth.” Dr. Campbell is excited to be a part of this new office and is passionate about bringing quality dental care to the Yukon community.

This new office is open Monday-Friday 8:00 am-5:00 pm.

Prospective patients can call the Monarch Dental office in Yukon, OK at 405-494-3080 or toll-free at 1-800-MONARCH, or visit us online to schedule appointments.

About Smile Brands Inc.

Smile Brands Inc. is the largest provider of support services to dental groups in the United States. Smile Brands Inc. provides comprehensive business support services so dentists can spend more time caring for their patients and less time on the administrative, marketing and financial aspects of the dental practice. Smile Brands Inc. services support more than 1,100 dentists and hygienists practicing in over 320 Bright Now! Dental, Monarch Dental, and Castle Dental offices in 18 states.

Nearly three quarters of a million people a year take advantage of extended evening and weekend office hours, convenient locations, affordable prices, and flexible payment plans for quality, full-service dental care including general and cosmetic dentistry, and specialty services such as orthodontics at affiliated Smile Brands’ offices.

Based in Irvine, Calif., Smile Brands Inc. and its affiliated dental offices combined employ approximately 4,200 people nationwide. For more information, visit www.smilebrands.com/.

(1) $500 financing and interest-free payment plans require valid photo ID and a checking account or credit card.

(2) $0 down payment plans available on approved credit

(3) Exam offer includes necessary X-rays. Valid for new patients without insurance on initial visit only.

(4) Offer valid for every family member in same residence, but only valid once per person (maximum $100). Offer is valid for new patients only. Not redeemable for cash or credit. Insurance patients: offer applicable for non-covered services only.

All offers are subject to change, cannot be combined with ConfiDent discount program or with dental managed care plans and expire on 12/31/11.

Modern Dental Professionals – Oklahoma, P.C.

SOURCE Smile Brands Inc.

Researchers have described a new, recessively inherited human syndrome featuring craniosynostosis, maxillary hyperplasia, delayed tooth eruption and extra teeth. They also identified causative mutations in a gene IL11RA.

In craniosynostosis, the sutures between skull bones become ossified prematurely, affecting skull shape and limiting space for the growth of the brain. It is observed in 1:2500 and often requires operative surgery. Supernumerary teeth are more common, and in most cases they also require dental surgery.

A combination of these anomalies was observed in four children of a Pakistani family living in Denmark. Extra teeth developed in positions suggesting that they may represent a third set of teeth, the formation of which is normally prevented in humans.

The parents of the family were first cousins, which made it possible to localize the gene in the genome (so called homozygosity mapping) and identify the mutation, causing a change of a single amino acid, in a gene for interleukin 11 receptor alpha (IL11RA). This is a protein on cell surface that binds the extracellular interleukin 11 and makes possible for the cells to sense the presence of this factor. When tested in cultured cell lines, the mutation inactivated the function of the receptor.

The researchers also found four other mutations in IL11RA in patients from Pakistan, England and The Netherlands.

“This is a quite novel discovery as IL11 ““ or the signaling pathway it belongs to ““ has not previously been associated with any inherited human disorders”, says Dr. Pekka Nieminen, the leader of the study (University of Helsinki). “The results show that IL11 signaling is essential for the normal development of craniofacial bones and teeth, and that its function is to restrict suture fusion and tooth number.”

“We believe that normally IL11 mediates the complex tissue interactions that regulate replacement tooth development in mammals. In skull, IL11 signals are probably needed to regulate a process called bone remodeling in the edges of the skull bones, including site-specific regulation of bone apposition and bone resorption. Eruption of permanent teeth was also delayed in the patients with IL11RA mutations, and it may well be explained by defects in bone resorption that is necessary for teeth to erupt.”

Exactly how and why the mutations lead to craniosynostosis may be possible to study in a knockout mouse model as the researchers also registered a peculiar growth anomaly, shortening and skewing of the snout.

“In the future it may be possible to use modulation of IL11 signaling for treatment of craniosynostosis”, Dr. Nieminen believes.

—

On the Net:

• University of Helsinki

COLUMBIA, Md., July 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Maxim Healthcare Services, Inc. launched a company-wide volunteer program, Maxim Life (mlife), to help its employees support and improve the communities they serve.

Maxim supports service and volunteerism among its employees and encourages community involvement that promotes opportunities for employees to make a difference in their communities. Through mlife, Maxim employees have contributed to their communities with the following activities: community cleanups, building houses for Habitat for Humanity, and raising funds for organizations such as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the American Cancer Society.

“At Maxim, we strive to be the best in everything we do,” states Maxim Chief Executive Officer Brad Bennett. “That commitment to excellence extends beyond our company and into the community. By creating a platform for employees to get involved in local projects and fundraising, we hope to make a measurable impact in the communities we serve.”

With more than 380 offices, Maxim touches communities nationwide. The company’s commitment to supporting these communities through mlife efforts has created partnerships with charitable organizations including The Ronald McDonald House–providing stability for families with children facing medical hardship–and the American Red Cross.

About Maxim Healthcare Services

Maxim Healthcare Services provides medical staffing, home healthcare, and wellness services across the U.S. Founded in 1988, Maxim is focused on delivering quality patient care and a commitment to employee development with an emphasis on customer service. Today, Maxim is an established partner in the industry and is constantly evolving to address the needs of the healthcare industry. We regularly research new markets, expand our geographical presence, and diversify our client services. Our innovative approach to managing our clients’ needs is the foundation for our success. Learn more about Maxim Healthcare Services or read about Maxim Healthcare jobs.

SOURCE Maxim Healthcare Services, Inc.

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., July 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Samuel Meklir of Sommers Schwartz P.C. received a verdict of $1,050,000.00 on behalf of his client by an Oakland County Jury in a medical malpractice action. The client is a 68 year old paraplegic man whose femur was fractured by his occupational therapist at William Beaumont Hospital. As a result of the fracture, he required surgery to repair the fracture and had no choice but to have a colostomy due to his inability to perform his transfers from his wheelchair due to the limitations he had due to his broken leg. There was no offer from the defendant prior to trial.

SOURCE Sommers Schwartz P.C.

The research will be presented today [Thursday 7 July] at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society of Academic Primary Care, hosted this year by the Academic Unit of Primary Health Care, University of Bristol. The research was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) School for Primary Care Research (NSPCR).

Dr Susannah Fleming and colleagues used a dataset containing heart rate, temperature, and oxygen saturation measurements from 873 children, and assessed the severity of their illness by checking whether they were admitted to hospital in the following seven days.

Classification was carried out using the heart rate, temperature, and oxygen saturation elements of an existing paediatric scoring system (PAWS), designed for use in secondary care. In addition, a variety of data fusion models, including regression and distribution modelling, were developed using the same three vital signs.

Two statistical measures of the performance of each system ““ sensitivity and specificity ““ were then assessed. Sensitivity measures the proportion of actual positives which are correctly identified as such (for example, the percentage of sick people who are correctly identified as having the condition). Specificity measures the proportion of negatives which are correctly identified (for example, the percentage of healthy people who are correctly identified as not having the condition).

The existing scoring system was found to have a sensitivity of 64.3 per cent and specificity of 80.5 per cent while the best-performing model had a sensitivity of 79 per cent and specificity of 75.8 per cent.

Dr Fleming said: “Data fusion of three vital signs (heart rate, temperature, and oxygen saturation) provides moderate accuracy for predicting serious illness in children, and outperforms scores produced using this subset of vital signs in existing scoring systems. Although this type of score is difficulty to calculate by hand, it could be incorporated into commonly-available handheld phone applications, or into an integrated device incorporating a thermometer and pulse oximeter. Such a device would require a means of entering the patient’s age, as the technique uses evidence-based curves to allow for the normal variation of heart rate during childhood.”

—

On the Net:

• University of Bristol

SHASTA LAKE, Calif., July 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — 420 College presents an intensive 2 Day LIVE EVENT on “How To Grow Legally”; for Collectives, Clubs, Delivery Services, Farmers, Cultivators; in the cool, high mountains of Lake Shasta – Redding, California, July 16th and 17th, Red Lion Inn. Register Online – www.420college.org: $250 per Student, at the door.

“It’s not hard or as expensive to comply with the law as people think,” states 420 College Business Services Director, George Boyadjian. “We focus on simple steps that a medical marijuana collective, delivery service or member farm need to take to get up and running, legally. We cover best practices for cultivation and testing, as well. Two days and the cost of the seminar are a lot less then the price we’ve seen others pay for ignoring cultivation guidelines, or by following someone’s advice that’s misinformed about the law.”

Featured Speakers are medical marijuana industry experts with years of practical, hands-on expertise. Students will spend 2 days learning about how to start and run a successful, legal marijuana “farm”, club, collective or delivery service. We cover everything from new members and medical marijuana ID cards, marijuana patient/member rights, security, operations, authorization to cultivate, transport, testing, cultivation to harvest, processing and popular edibles.

Another treat is an invitation to a thriving farmer’s collective in Shasta Lake, CA. The Queen of Dragons will throw open their doors to 420 College students for a “wide-open” house to explore member activity areas, garden, meds room, edibles counter, trichomes imagery and testing while rubbing elbows with featured speakers and other like-minded collective member farmers and individuals.

$25 OFF Your Early Bird Registration – Sign Up by July 12 – Online at http://www.420college.org/all-events/

420 College Live Events

From starting a medical marijuana business to educating on the subjects of compliance and cultivation, 420 College live events are designed to deliver guidance to beginners and current operators; providing step-by-step assistance in taking their next steps to becoming their collective’s legally operating member cultivator or farmer.

Contact: George Boyadjian – 323-308-8803 (cell) george(at)420college(dot)org

SOURCE 420 College

MIAMI BEACH, Fla., July 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Dr. Gervasio Lamas, chief of the Columbia University Division of Cardiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center, will now also serve as Mount Sinai’s Chairman of Medicine. Dr. Lamas has been part of the Mount Sinai family for nearly 20 years and is actively involved with the institution’s teaching program and research initiatives making him a natural choice for overseeing the institution’s department of medicine.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110707/DC31500)

The department of medicine at Mount Sinai is committed to providing our community with access to a high quality, comprehensive range of medical services. In addition, the department of medicine has been involved in teaching and research for more than 50 years.

In his new role, Dr. Lamas will collaborate with fellow physicians throughout Mount Sinai on furthering clinical, academic, and research initiatives. “I am proud to lead such a high-quality medical staff that always seeks to provide the best care and the best service,” said Lamas.

Mount Sinai’s Department of Medicine has excelled throughout the years. Mount Sinai has completed groundbreaking research in memory disorders, cardiology, oncology, pulmonary medicine and gastroenterology. And, Mount Sinai’s focus on critical care medicine has resulted in the advanced emergency care provided through the Harvey Chaplin Family Stroke and Chest Pain Center.

Dr. Lamas received his B.A. in Biochemical Sciences cum laude from Harvard College and his M.D. with honors (AOA) from New York University. He completed his Internship and Residency at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital of Harvard Medical School, where he later served as Assistant Professor of Medicine. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Diseases as well as a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, and the European Society of Cardiology. Dr. Lamas was also recently appointed Professor of Clinical Medicine at New York’s Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, further solidifying the partnership between the two institutions that joined forces in 2009 to form the Mount Sinai Heart Institute. Dr. Lamas has authored over 300 scientific publications and maintains an active clinical practice at the Mount Sinai offices in Miami Beach, Hialeah and Key Biscayne.

About Mount Sinai Medical Center

Founded in 1949, Mount Sinai Medical Center is the largest independent, private, not-for-profit teaching hospital in South Florida. One of only six statutory teaching hospitals in the state, Mount Sinai is the hospital of choice for those who seek the level of expertise and care that only a teaching hospital can offer. The medical center’s commitment to quality has garnered prestigious recognition, including designation in 2010 as one of America’s Top Hospitals for by U.S.News & World Report.

Contact:
Joanna Palmer
305-674-2589
[email protected]

SOURCE Mount Sinai Medical Center

Since 1995 Rates Have Doubled or Nearly Doubled in 17 States

WASHINGTON, July 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Adult obesity rates increased in 16 states in the past year and did not decline in any state, according to F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America’s Future 2011, a report from Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). Twelve states now have obesity rates above 30 percent. Four years ago, only one state was above 30 percent.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100204/TFAHLOGO)

The obesity epidemic continues to be most dramatic in the South, which includes nine of the 10 states with the highest adult obesity rates. States in the Northeast and West tend to have lower rates. Mississippi maintained the highest adult obesity rate for the seventh year in a row, and Colorado has the lowest obesity rate and is the only state with a rate under 20 percent.

This year, for the first time, the report examined how the obesity epidemic has grown over the past two decades. Twenty years ago, no state had an obesity rate above 15 percent. Today, more than two out of three states, 38 total, have obesity rates over 25 percent, and just one has a rate lower than 20 percent. Since 1995, when data was available for every state, obesity rates have doubled in seven states and increased by at least 90 percent in 10 others. Obesity rates have grown fastest in Oklahoma, Alabama, and Tennessee, and slowest in Washington, D.C., Colorado, and Connecticut.

“Today, the state with the lowest obesity rate would have had the highest rate in 1995,” said Jeff Levi, Ph.D., executive director of TFAH. “There was a clear tipping point in our national weight gain over the last twenty years, and we can’t afford to ignore the impact obesity has on our health and corresponding health care spending.”

Obesity has long been associated with other severe health problems, including diabetes and high blood pressure. New data in the report show how rates of both also have risen dramatically over the last two decades. Since 1995, diabetes rates have doubled in eight states. Then, only four states had diabetes rates above 6 percent. Now, 43 states have diabetes rates over 7 percent, and 32 have rates above 8 percent. Twenty years ago, 37 states had hypertension rates over 20 percent. Now, every state is over 20 percent, with nine over 30 percent.

Racial and ethnic minority adults, and those with less education or who make less money, continue to have the highest overall obesity rates:

• Adult obesity rates for Blacks topped 40 percent in 15 states, 35 percent in 35 states, and 30 percent in 42 states and D.C.
• Rates of adult obesity among Latinos were above 35 percent in four states (Mississippi, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Texas) and at least 30 percent in 23 states.
• Meanwhile, rates of adult obesity for Whites topped 30 percent in just four states (Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, and West Virginia) and no state had a rate higher than 32.1 percent.
• Nearly 33 percent of adults who did not graduate high school are obese, compared with 21.5 percent of those who graduated from college or technical college.
• More than 33 percent of adults who earn less than $15,000 per year were obese, compared with 24.6 percent of those who earn at least $50,000 per year.

“The information in this report should spur us all – individuals and policymakers alike – to redouble our efforts to reverse this debilitating and costly epidemic,” said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A, RWJF president and CEO. “Changing policies is an important way to provide children and families with vital resources and opportunities to make healthier choices easier in their day-to-day lives.”

This year’s report also includes a series of recommendations from TFAH and RWJF on how policymakers and the food and beverage industry can help reverse the obesity epidemic.

The recommendations for policymakers include:

1. Protect the Prevention and Public Health Fund: TFAH and RWJF recommend that the fund not be cut, that a significant portion be used for obesity prevention, and that it not be used to offset or justify cuts to other Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) programs.
2. Implementing the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act :TFAH and RWJF recommend that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issue a final rule as swiftly as possible regarding school meal regulations and issue strong standards for so-called “competitive” food and beverages – those sold outside of school meal programs, through à la carte lines, vending machines and school stores.
3. Implementing the National Physical Activity Plan: TFAH and RWJF recommend full implementation of the policies, programs, and initiatives outlined in the National Physical Activity Plan. This includes a grassroots advocacy effort; a public education program; a national resource center; a policy development and research center; and dissemination of best practices.
4. Restoring Cuts to Vital Programs: TFAH and RWJF recommend that the $833 million in cuts made in the fiscal year 2011 continuing resolution be restored and that programs to improve nutrition in child care settings and nutrition assistance programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children be fully funded and carried out. If fully funded these programs could have a major impact on reducing obesity.

“Creating healthy environments is key to reversing the obesity epidemic, particularly for children,” remarked Dr. Lavizzo-Mourey. “When children have safe places to walk, bike and play in their communities, they’re more likely to be active and less likely to be obese. It’s the same with healthy food: when communities have access to healthy affordable foods, families eat better.”

Additionally, for the food and beverage industry, TFAH and RWJF recommend that industry should adopt strong, consistent standards for food marketing similar to those proposed in April 2011 by the Interagency Working Group, composed of representatives from four federal agencies – the Federal Trade Commission, CDC, Food and Drug Administration and the USDA – and work to implement the other recommendations set forth in the 2005 Institute of Medicine report on food marketing to children and youth.

The full report with state rankings in all categories is available on TFAH’s website at www.healthyamericans.org and RWJF’s website at www.rwjf.org. The report was supported by a grant from RWJF.

STATE-BY-STATE ADULT OBESITY RANKINGS

Note: 1 = Highest rate of adult obesity, 51 = lowest rate of adult obesity. Rankings are based on combining three years of data (2007-2009) from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to “stabilize” data for comparison purposes. This methodology, recommended by the CDC, compensates for any potential anomalies or usual changes due to the specific sample in any given year in any given state. States with statistically significant (p<0.05) increases for one year are noted with an asterisk (*), states with statistically significant increases for two years in a row are noted with two asterisks (**), states with statistically significant increases for three years in a row are noted with three asterisks (***). Additional information about methodologies and confidence intervals is available in the report. Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) (a calculation based on weight and height ratios) of 30 or higher are considered obese.

1. Mississippi (34.4%); 2. Alabama (32.3%); 3. West Virginia* (32.2%); 4. Tennessee (31.9%); 5. Louisiana (31.6%); 6. Kentucky** (31.5%); 7. Oklahoma** (31.4%); 8. South Carolina* (30.9%); 9. Arkansas (30.6%); 10. Michigan* (30.5%); 11. Missouri* (30.3%); 12. Texas** (30.1%); 13. Ohio (29.6%); 14. North Carolina (29.4%); 15. Indiana* (29.1%); 16. Kansas** (29.0%); 17. (tie) Georgia (28.7%); and South Dakota (28.7%); 19. Pennsylvania (28.5%); 20. Iowa (28.1%); 21. (tie) Delaware (28.0%); and North Dakota (28.0%); 23. Illinois** (27.7%); 24. Nebraska (27.6%); 25. Wisconsin (27.4%); 26. Maryland (27.1%); 27. Maine** (26.5%); 28. Washington (26.4%); 29. Florida** (26.1%); 30. (tie) Alaska (25.9%); and Virginia (25.9%); 32. Idaho (25.7%); 33. (tie) New Hampshire (25.6%); and New Mexico (25.6%); 35. (tie) Arizona (25.4%); Oregon (25.4%); and Wyoming (25.4%); 38. Minnesota (25.3%); 39. Nevada (25.0%); 40. California (24.8%); 41. New York (24.7%); 42. Rhode Island** (24.3%); 43. New Jersey (24.1%); 44. Montana (23.8%); 45. Vermont** (23.5%); 46. Utah (23.4%); 47. Hawaii (23.1%); 48. Massachusetts** (22.3%); 49. Connecticut (21.8%); 50. District of Columbia (21.7%); 51. Colorado* (19.8%).

STATE-BY-STATE ADULT OBESITY RANKINGS IN 1995

Note: 1 = Highest rate of adult obesity, 51 = lowest rate of adult obesity. Data for this analysis was obtained from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) dataset (publicly available on the web at www.cdc.gov/brfss). States that have increased their obesity rate by at least 80 percent since 1995 are noted with an asterisk (*), states that have increased their obesity rate by at least 90 percent are noted with two asterisks (**), states that have doubled their obesity rate over the past 15 years are noted with three asterisks (***). Additional information about methodologies and confidence intervals is available in the report. Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) (a calculation based on weight and height ratios) of 30 or higher are considered obese.

1. Mississippi (19.4%); 2. Indiana (18.3%); 3. West Virginia* (17.7%); 4. Michigan (17.2%); 5. (tie) Arkansas* (17.0%); and Louisiana* (17.0%); 7. Missouri (16.9%); 8. (tie) Kentucky** (16.6%); and South Carolina* (16.6%); 10. (tie) Tennessee** (16.4%); and Wisconsin (16.4%); 12. North Carolina* (16.3%); 13. (tie) Iowa (16.2%); and Pennsylvania (16.2%); 15. Ohio* (16.1%); 16. Texas* (16.0%); 17. (tie) Alabama*** (15.7%); and Alaska (15.7%); 19. Illinois* (15.3%); 20 (tie) Delaware* (15.2%); Nebraska* (15.2%); and North Dakota* (15.2%); 23. Maryland* (15.0%); 24. Minnesota (14.6%); 25. South Dakota** (14.5%); 26. (tie) Florida* (14.3%); Maine* (14.3%); and New York (14.3%); 29. Virginia* (14.2%); 30. Idaho* (14.1%); 31. Wyoming* (14.0%); 32. (tie) California (13.9%); and Washington** (13.9%); 34. Georgia*** (13.8%); 35. Oregon* (13.6%); 36. Kansas*** (13.5%); 37. Vermont (13.4%); 38. Nevada** (13.1%); 39. Montana* (13.0%); 40. (tie) New Hampshire (12.9%); and Oklahoma*** (12.9%); 42. (tie) District of Columbia (12.8%); and Rhode Island** (12.8%); 44. Arizona*** (12.6%); 45. New Jersey** (12.3%); 46. Utah** (12.0%); 47. Connecticut* (11.8%); 48 (tie) Massachusetts** (11.6%); and New Mexico*** (11.6%); 50. Colorado* (10.7%); 51. Hawaii*** (10.6%).

STATE-BY-STATE ADULT OBESITY GROWTH RANKS SINCE 1995

Note: 1 = Fastest rate of growth in adult obesity, 51 = lowest rate of growth in adult obesity. Data for this analysis was obtained from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) dataset (publicly available on the web at www.cdc.gov/brfss).

1. Oklahoma; 2. Alabama; 3. Tennessee; 4. Kansas; 5. Mississippi; 6. (tie) Georgia; and Kentucky; 8. (tie) Louisiana; and West Virginia; 10. South Carolina; 11. South Dakota; 12. (tie) New Mexico; and Texas; 14. Arkansas; 15. Ohio; 16. Missouri; 17. Michigan; 18. North Carolina; 19. (tie) Arizona; Delaware; and North Dakota; 22. New Hampshire; 23. (tie) Hawaii; and Washington; 25. (tie) Illinois and Nebraska; 27. Pennsylvania; 28. Maine; 29. Maryland; 30. Nevada; 31. Iowa; 32. (tie) Florida; New Jersey; and Oregon; 35. Virginia; 36. (tie) Idaho; and Rhode Island; 38. Wyoming; 39. Utah; 40. Wisconsin; 41. California 42. (tie) Indiana; and Montana; 44. (tie) Massachusetts; and Minnesota; 46. New York; 47. Alaska; 48. Vermont; 49. Connecticut; 50. Colorado; 51. District of Columbia.

Trust for America’s Health is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to saving lives by protecting the health of every community and working to make disease prevention a national priority. For more information, visit www.healthyamericans.org. .

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation’s largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all Americans, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and timely change. In 2007, the Foundation committed $500 million toward its goal of reversing the childhood obesity epidemic by 2015. This is the largest commitment any foundation has made to the issue.

For more than 35 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org.

SOURCE Trust for America’s Health

BALTIMORE, July 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (LPI) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has granted final approval for its Amlodipine / Benazepril 5mg/40mg, and 10mg/40mg capsules. Commercial shipments of the product have already commenced. This approval completes the product line as the Company was granted final approval for Amlodipine / Benazepril 2.5mg/10mg, 5mg/10mg, 5mg/20mg and 10mg/20mg capsules in February 2010.

Lupin’s Amlodipine / Benazepril capsules are the AB-rated generic equivalent of Novartis’ *Lotrel® capsules indicated for the treatment of hypertension. Amlodipine / Benazepril 5mg/40mg, and 10mg/40mg capsules had annual sales of approximately $290 million for the twelve months ended March 2011, based on IMS Health sales data.

About Lupin

Headquartered in Mumbai, India, Lupin Limited is an innovation led transnational pharmaceutical company producing a wide range of quality, affordable generic and branded formulations and APIs. The Company today has significant market share in Cardiovascular (prils and statins), Diabetology, Asthma, Pediatrics, CNS, GI, Anti-Infectives and NSAIDs in addition holding global leadership positions in the Anti-TB and Cephalosporins space.

Today, Lupin is the 5th largest and fastest growing Top 5 generics player in the US (by prescriptions), the only Asian company to achieve that distinction. The company is also the fastest growing top 10 pharmaceutical players in India, Japan and South Africa. (IMS)

For the financial year ended March 2011, Lupin’s Consolidated Revenues and Profit after Tax were Rs.57,068 million and Rs. 8,626 million respectively. Please visit http://www.lupinworld.com for more information about Lupin Ltd.

Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is the U.S. wholly owned subsidiary of Lupin Limited. Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is dedicated to delivering high-quality, affordable generic medicines and branded formulations trusted by healthcare professionals and patients across geographies. For more information, visit http://www.lupinpharmaceuticals.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the U. S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
This release contains forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Many of these risks, uncertainties and other factors include failure of clinical trials, delays in development, registration and product approvals, changes in the competitive environment, increased government control over pricing, fluctuations in the capital and foreign exchange markets and the ability to maintain patent and other intellectual property protection. The information presented in this release represents management’s expectations and intentions as of this date. Lupin expressly disavows any obligation to update the information presented in this release

*Lotrel® is a registered trademark of Novartis Corp.

For More Information:
Contact: Edith St-Hilaire
Director of Marketing
(410) 576-2000

SOURCE Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

AUSTIN, Texas, July 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Ascension Orthopedics, Inc., a world leader in PyroCarbon orthopedic devices, announces the market release of the TITAN Inset Mini Glenoid. The Mini Glenoid is yet another addition to the TITAN Modular Shoulder System, which can now provide a unique way to address glenoid arthritis.

“The Mini Glenoid prosthesis is designed to resurface the central portion of the glenoid as well as load-share with the peripheral glenoid bone, which allows for minimal forces to be transmitted on the edge of the Mini Glenoid prosthesis,” commented Mark Ross, MB.BS.FRACS,FA(ORTHO)A. “These edge forces have been shown to lead to loosening in a standard glenoid.”

“Another great advantage of the Mini Glenoid is that it allows for retention of soft tissues that would normally be resected with a standard glenoid, such as a healthy labrum,” stated Phillip Duke, MB.BS.FRACS,FA(ORTHO)A.

The TITAN shoulder line now offers an inset Mini Glenoid option that is available in round and oval designs. The modularity of the TITAN line allows for one system to be used in a number of different applications including: humeral resurfacing arthroplasty, hemi or total shoulder arthroplasty, and press-fit or cemented fracture arthroplasty. Less instrumentation is needed in the operating room and the ease of reproducibility helps provide for consistent patient outcomes.

“We are striving to continually release innovative products into the market place,” commented Guy Mayer, President and CEO of Ascension Orthopedics. “Today we show this commitment with the Mini Glenoid prosthesis, which offers an option for glenoid replacement unlike any other currently available. We are excited to build on the clinical success of the TITAN shoulder line with another unique addition.”

Ascension Orthopedics was founded in Austin, Texas in 1992. The company’s first product was an innovative pyrolytic carbon implant for the MCP joint of the hand. Its joint replacement product line has since expanded to include implants for the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, foot and ankle. Ascension’s mission is to transform extremities by developing state-of-the-art orthopedic products for the upper and lower limbs to help patients suffering from pain and dysfunction. Ascension Orthopedics sells products in the United States and in more than 20 countries worldwide. For further information, please visit http://www.ascensionortho.com/.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Laura Latimer
Ascension Orthopedics, Inc.
512-836-5001

SOURCE Ascension Orthopedics, Inc.

Poor oral health is just as bad for fertility as obesity, and could delay the time of conception by as much as two months, Professor Roger Hart told the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology on Tuesday.

“Until now, there have been no published studies that investigate whether gum disease can affect a woman’s chance of conceiving, so this is the first report to suggest that gum disease might be one of several factors that could be modified to improve the changes of a pregnancy,” says Hart, who is a Professor of Reproductive Medicine at the University of Western Australia and Medical Director of Fertility Specialists of Western Australia.

Gum disease is a chronic, infectious and inflammatory disease of the gums and supporting tissues. The inflammation from the infection can pass into the blood stream, and has been known to be associated with heart disease, type 2 diabetes, respiratory and kidney disease, as well as problems in pregnancy that include miscarriage and premature birth, the study says.

Severe periodontal disease is believed to infect about 10 percent of the population.

The study follows over 3,500 pregnant women who took part in a Western Australian study called the SMILE study. Information on pregnancy planning and pregnancy outcomes was analyzed for 3,416 of the women.

Results from the analysis found that women with gum disease took over seven months to conceive, which is about two months longer than the average of five months for those without gum disease.

Additionally, non-Caucasian women with gum disease were more likely to take even longer to become pregnant (over one year) than those without gum disease. Although Caucasian women did tend to take longer to conceive, the difference was not statistically significant.

The appearance of having a higher level of inflammatory response to gum disease could be the reason why pregnancies in non-Caucasian women are more affected by it, Professor Hart says.

“Our data suggest that the presence of periodontal disease is a modifiable risk factor, which can increase a woman’s time to conception, particularly for non-Caucasians,” he says.

“It exerts a negative influence on fertility that is of the same order of magnitude as obesity. This study also confirms other, known negative influences upon time to conception for a woman; these include being over 35 years of age, being overweight or obese, and being a smoker. There was no correlation between the time it took to become pregnant and the socio-economic status of the woman.”

On top of stopping smoking and drinking, maintaining a healthy weight and taking folic acid supplements, Professor Hart also suggests women add a trip to the dentist before trying to have a baby.

“All women about to plan for a family should be encouraged to see their general practitioner to ensure that they are as healthy as possible before trying to conceive and so that they can be given appropriate lifestyle advice with respect to weight loss, diet and assistance with stopping smoking and drinking, plus the commencement of folic acid supplements. Additionally, it now appears that all women should also be encouraged to see their dentist to have any gum disease treated before trying to conceive. It is easily treated, usually involving no more than four dental visits.”

Dr. Allan Pacey, a U.K. fertility expert says, “It’s common sense advice really to make sure you are in a healthy condition if you want to try for a baby.”

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On the Net:

• European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
• University of Western Australia
• Fertility Specialists of Western Australia

Safe Kids Reminds Parents to Keep Watchful Eye on Children around Water

WASHINGTON, July 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Safe Kids USA, with support from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, is coordinating a national public education effort to raise awareness with parents and caregivers about water safety for children and help prevent drowning and entrapment in pools and spas. Drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4.

Nearly 750 children ages 14 and under died from 2000 – 2007 in the U.S. due to an unintentional drowning. In addition, in 2009 there were an estimated 5,016 children injured due to a near drowning incident. Since Memorial Day, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that there have been 48 child drownings and 75 near-drownings in pools and spas alone in 35 states and territories as reported by the media.

“A child in or near water can get into trouble in a matter of seconds,” said Meri-K Appy, president of Safe Kids USA. “Safe Kids promotes ‘Lock, Look, and Learn,’ to help remind parents and caregivers that layers of protection help keep children safe, such as using barriers, fences, and anti-entrapment devices for home pools and spas, actively supervising your children, learning how to swim and enrolling your children in swimming, and knowing basic water rescue skills, such as CPR.”

Although 90 percent of parents say they supervise their children while swimming, many acknowledge that they engage in other distracting activities at the same time – talking, eating, reading or taking care of another child. In fact, a parent or caregiver claimed to be supervising the child in nearly 9 out of 10 drowning-related deaths.

While there is no substitute for active supervision, learning how to swim is an important skill for both parents and children to learn. In fact, new studies indicate that teaching children to swim between the ages of 6 and 12 months old is a great way to build their confidence in the water while at the same time teaching them water safety skills.

Seven-time Olympic medalist Amanda Beard, who is hoping to compete in the 100- and 200-meter breast stroke events in the 2012 Olympics, is a firm believer in teaching children to swim at a young age.

“I hear parents say all the time that their 3- or 4-year-old toddlers haven’t learned to swim because they are too young. By this age, your child can be a very good swimmer. In addition, your child will learn about water safety skills and what they should do if they fall in the pool. These lessons are literally saving lives.” Beard attended “Mommy and Me” swim classes with her mother when she was 6 months old. She grew to enjoy the water and swimming so much that by the time she was 10 years old, she had already made up her mind that she wanted to be an Olympic swimmer.

Beard and her husband, Sacha Brown, started acquainting their now 22-month-old son, Blaise, with the water in their backyard pool when he was 4 months old. He began taking swimming lessons at 6 months, and today he enjoys swimming 3 – 4 times a week.

“I want him to know how to swim, and be comfortable in the water,” said Beard. “Whether he ends up swimming competitively or not, that’s up to him.”

In the summer months, between May and August, drowning deaths among children increase 89 percent over the rest of the year. And, home swimming pools are the most common site for a drowning to occur with a child less than 5 years of age.

As part of Safe Kids USA’s work to promote the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act, Safe Kids USA was awarded a grant from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in September 2010. The law, which has fundamentally changed the way pools and spas are used and maintained in the U.S., was named in honor of Virginia Graeme Baker, the 7-year old granddaughter of former Secretary of State James Baker, who drowned in 2002 when the powerful suction of a drain entrapped her underwater.

From 1999 – 2009, 94 reports of pool/spa circulation entrapments, including 12 fatalities and 79 injuries, occurred in the United States. Public health authorities agree that the installation of safeguards, like barriers/fences, anti-entrapment drain covers and back up devices, can effectively protect children from the potential dangers of pools and spas.

To help keep your kids safe in or around the water, Safe Kids recommends these Lock, Look,and Learn reminders for parents.

Lock

• If you have a pool or spa, or if your child visits a home that has a pool or spa, it should be surrounded on all four sides by a fence at least 4-feet high with self-closing and self-latching gates. Studies estimate that this type of isolation fencing could prevent 50 to 90 percent of child drownings in residential pools.
• Make sure all pools and spas have compliant anti-entrapment drain covers and back up devices to ensure safer places for children to swim.
• When not in use, all pools, including portable inflatable pools and spas, should be covered and secured. Ladders to above ground pools and spas should be locked or removed.

Look

• Always actively supervise children in and around water. Designate someone to be the “Water Watcher” – a responsible adult who is in charge of watching children while they are in or near water. The Water Watcher should not be distracted by phone calls, text messages, reading or talking to others. Caregivers can work as a team, taking turns with another adult to stay alert to watch the children.
• Watch children even if they know how to swim – knowing how to swim does not prevent drowning.
• If a child is missing, check the water first.

Learn

• Know how to swim and enroll your kids in swimming lessons.
• Learn CPR and know how to use rescue equipment – these are important skills to know if there is an emergency.
• Learn how to choose the right life jacket depending on the water activity, your child’s size, and weight. Don’t rely on inflatable swimming toys such as “water wings” and noodles; these toys should never be used in place of U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets. Children who can’t swim well or can’t swim at all should be within your arm’s reach.
• Teach children water safety rules such as never swim alone, always wear a life jacket while boating, and never swim or play near pool or spa drains.

About Safe Kids USA

Safe Kids USA is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, which is a global network of organizations whose mission is to prevent unintentional childhood injury, the leading cause of death and disability to children ages 1 to 14. More than 600 coalitions and chapters across the U.S. and nineteen member countries across the globe bring together health and safety experts, educators, corporations, foundations, governments and volunteers to educate and protect families. Founded in 1987 as the National SAFE KIDS Campaign by Children’s National Medical Center with support from Johnson & Johnson, Safe Kids Worldwide is a non-profit organization located in Washington, D.C.

SOURCE Safe Kids USA

CARE Plastic Surgery and Dr. Brian Coan, Plastic Surgeon of Durham, NC have been honored with a recognition by Durham Magazine in its selection of “Best Of Durham.”

DURHAM, N.C., July 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Announcing a special recognition appearing in the June, 2011 issue of Durham Magazine published by Shannon Media, Inc. The organization was selected for the following honor:

Best Of Durham

CARE Plastic Surgery and Dr. Brian Coan, Plastic Surgeon‘s spokesperson, Tica Lema, commented on the recognition: “This is quite an honor for us. Since Durham Magazine chose only a select number of organizations for their Best Of Durham list, we are especially proud to have made the grade. Our inclusion signals that our constant effort to deliver excellent work has paid off. It is gratifying and exciting to be recognized in this way.”

Following the publication of CARE Plastic Surgery and Dr. Brian Coan, Plastic Surgeon‘s selection for Durham Magazine‘s Best Of Durham list, American Registry seconded the honor and added CARE Plastic Surgery and Dr. Brian Coan, Plastic Surgeon to its “Registry of Business Excellence(TM)”.

An exclusive recognition plaque has been designed to commemorate CARE Plastic Surgery and Dr. Brian Coan, Plastic Surgeon‘s Best Of Durham honor. Click here to see the wall plaque showcasing the achievement.

For more information on CARE Plastic Surgery and Dr. Brian Coan, Plastic Surgeon, located in Durham, NC please call 919-484-4884.

This press release was written by American Registry, LLC on behalf of CARE Plastic Surgery and Dr. Brian Coan, Plastic Surgeon and was distributed by PR Newswire, a subsidiary of United Business Media.

American Registry, LLC, recognizes excellence in top businesses and professionals. The Registry(TM) includes over 2 million significant business and professional recognitions, including all those included in Durham Magazine‘s Best Of Durham list. For more information, search The Registry at http://www.americanregistry.com.

Contact Info:
CARE Plastic Surgery, Durham, NC
Phone: 919-484-4884
Email address: [email protected]

SOURCE CARE Plastic Surgery

Physicians are well aware that the chance of birthing a child with Down’s syndrome increases with the age of the mother, especially for those over 35. Researchers are now also finding links between Down’s syndrome and drugs used in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) for older women, BBC News reports.

UK researchers looking at 34 couples have discovered a link with IVF in older women disturbing the genetic material of her eggs. The magnitude of the risk is still unknown but it could also cause many other genetic conditions, not just Down’s.

The findings were presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology’s annual conference.

All of the women in the study were older than 31 years of age and had been given treatments to make their ovaries release eggs ready for their IVF procedure. When the researchers studied those now fertilized eggs they found some had genetic errors.

These errors could encompass a wide range of results from death of the child to the child being born with a genetic disease. A closer look at 100 of the faulty eggs revealed that many of the errors involved a duplication of a chromosome.

Often, the error resulted in an extra copy of chromosome 21, which causes Down’s syndrome. But unlike “classic” Down’s syndrome which is often seen in the babies of older women who conceive naturally, the pattern of genetic errors leading to Down’s in the IVF eggs was different and more complex.  This led the researchers to believe that it was the fertility treatment that was to blame.

Lead researcher Professor Alan Handyside, director of the London Bridge Fertility, Gynecology and Genetics Center, said more research was now needed.

“This could mean that the stimulation of the ovaries is causing some of these errors. We already know that these fertility drugs can have a similar effect in laboratory studies. But we need more work to confirm our findings,” Handyside told BBC News.

If more tests back up their suspicions, doctors should consider being more cautious about using IVF treatments, he said.

At present, IVF clinics tend towards a wholesale approach by administering powerful hormones to prod follicles in the ovaries into producing eggs, AFP reports.

The eggs are harvested, fertilized in a lab dish and two or more early-stage embryos are then transfer to the uterus in the hopes that one will develop into a pregnancy and eventually a live birth.

Tony Rutherford, chair of the British Fertility Society and honorary senior lecturer at the University of Leeds, said that driving the ovaries hard with high drug doses produced more eggs but not more embryos.

“The bottom line is that the number of normal embryos is the same whether you stimulate in the conventional manner as we have for 25 years [with higher doses of hormones] or whether you do it in a much milder manner,” Rutherford told The Guardian.

Stuart Lavery, consultant gynecologist and director of the IVF clinic at Hammersmith hospital in London explained that, where stimulation was not producing many eggs, “the common answer is to give more [hormonal medication]. But the work coming out suggests that isn’t necessarily a good thing.”

Handyside said scientists needed to look further at the pattern of abnormalities in different stimulation regimes including mild stimulation and natural cycle IVF, where one egg per cycle is removed, fertilized and returned to the woman.

“The results of such research should enable us to identify better clinical strategies to reduce the incidence of chromosome errors in older women undergoing IVF,” he told the Guardian.

“We also believe that our research will help identify women who want to have their own offspring but have practically no chance of doing so that we can advise them to use donor [eggs],” said Professor Joep Geraedts, coordinator of the ESHRE task force on preimplantation genetic screening.

“This in itself is already a big step forward that will aid couples hoping for a healthy pregnancy and birth to be able to achieve one,” Geraedts told The Guardian.

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On the Net:

• European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
• London Bridge Fertility, Gynecology and Genetics Center

By Lydia Jennings, Ivanhoe Health Correspondent

(Ivanhoe Newswire) — A new experiment could help explain sundown syndrome in older adults, especially those with dementia. The exact cause of sundown syndrome is not known, however new research provides evidence that late-day anxiety and agitation has a biological basis in the brain. Found in 80 to 90 year old people, “sundowning” shows high levels of anxiety, agitation, general activity and delirium in the late afternoon and evening, leading up to bedtime.

“As of now there hasn’t been much research, especially with animals, into what’s happening in the brain to cause sundowning,” Tracy Bedrosian, lead author of the study and a doctoral student in neuroscience at Ohio State University, told Ivanhoe.

“We compared elderly mice with middle-aged mice, and we compared their behaviors to see if we could mimic some of the symptoms of sundowning that you see in people,” Bedrosian said.

The experiment found that aged mice, 29 months old that would resemble humans in their 80’s, showed significantly more activity and more anxiety-like behaviors in the hours before they would go to sleep when compared to middle-aged mice, 7 months old ““ just like sundowning in humans.

Found in the aged mice were changes in parts of their brain associated with attention, emotions, and arousal, all of which could be associated with the behaviors seen in sundowning.

The researchers also found differences in the brains of the aged mice when compared to the middle aged mice. The researchers looked specifically at the cholinergic system, because loss of function in that system is associated with dementia and many of the circadian changes associated with aging.

“We found changes in the cholinergic system in the elderly mice that may be related to the behavioral changes seen,” Bedrosian said.

The aged mice showed greater expression of a certain enzyme ““ acetylcholinesterase ““ before sleep than earlier in the day. High levels of this enzyme are associated with anxiety and agitation.
The drugs that are prescribed for dementia and for sundowning affect the same cholinergic system in the brain.

“This study gives some evidence to support the fact that this cholinergic system really is altered in sundowning, and drugs affecting this system may actually be a good thing to pursue,” Bedrosian said.

The results show that researchers can successfully use mice to model sundown syndrome, and the researchers plan to use that as a starting point to pursue new therapeutic ideas. They hope to use drugs prescribed to humans on the mice and see if it will help with the activity and anxiety symptoms.

“We’d also like to target certain brain regions to see if we can pin-point what parts of the brain are involved in these behaviors,” Bedrosian said.

SOURCE: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, June 29, 2011.

Findings could lead to major advance in MS research in humans

Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have discovered a naturally occurring disease in monkeys that is very much like multiple sclerosis in humans “” a discovery that could have a major impact on efforts to understand the cause of multiple sclerosis.

The disease that the researchers discovered in monkeys at OHSU’s Oregon National Primate Research Center is associated with a herpes virus that could give significant clues into how multiple sclerosis develops in humans. MS researchers have long believed that a type of herpes virus may trigger multiple sclerosis in people who are genetically susceptible to the disease.

The OHSU researchers’ findings were published online today in the Annals of Neurology.

“These findings could have a huge impact on our understanding of MS and could be a landmark in someday developing more effective treatments for the disease, or even methods to prevent the onset of MS,” said Scott Wong, Ph.D., senior author of the study and a scientist at the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and the Oregon National Primate Research Center.

Both elements of the OHSU discovery are important for MS researchers.

Before the OHSU findings, researchers had been able to study MS-like diseases in nonhuman primates only after the disease had been artificially induced. A naturally occurring disease, such as the one discovered at OHSU, can give researchers many more clues into the causes and development of the disease.

“Now, we may be able to tease apart what’s triggering the onset of the disease,” Wong said.

And the fact that the disease, found in a small percentage of the Japanese macaques at OHSU each year, came from a herpes virus could prove hugely important to MS researchers worldwide.
Researchers can now search for a similar virus in MS patients.

The cause of MS, which affects about 400,000 people in the United States, is unknown. But researchers have long believed that a virus, possibly a herpes virus, might trigger the disease in people who are genetically susceptible.

“Understanding how this herpes virus causes the MS-like disease in the monkeys will give us important new knowledge “” and drive new research that could lead to significant advancements in finding and preventing the virus that might cause MS,” said Dennis Bourdette, M.D., a co-author of the study, director of the Multiple Sclerosis Center of Oregon and professor and chairman of the OHSU Department of Neurology.

From 1986 through 2010, 56 of the Japanese macaque monkeys at the Oregon National Primate Research Center at OHSU spontaneously developed paralysis in their hind limbs, along with other symptoms. The monkeys were humanely euthanized because they could not have been returned to the monkey colony safely. Researchers later did necropsies on the their bodies and performed MRI scans on eight of the animals.

That work and other testing allowed researchers to discover that an MS-like disease called Japanese macaque encephalomyelitis was causing the paralysis. While the disease typically afflicted young adult animals, it also was present in juveniles and older animals, and was present in both males and females.

About 1 to 3 percent of the more than 300 Japanese macaques at the primate center develop the disease each year, according to the researchers.

With this discovery, MS researchers now will be able to move toward trying to prevent or treat the virus in monkeys, which might help scientists make progress in treating MS in humans.

In addition to Wong and Bourdette, co-authors of the study include Michael Axthelm, D.V.M., Ph.D., of the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute; William Rooney, Ph.D., of OHSU’s Advanced Imaging Research Center; and Larry Sherman, Ph.D., of the Oregon National Primate Research Center.

The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Research Enrichment Award Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development, the OHSU Multiple Sclerosis Center, and the United States Department of Defense. The study is titled “Japanese macaque encephalomyelitis: a spontaneous multiple sclerosis-like disease.”

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On the Net:

• Oregon Health and Science University
• Annals of Neurology

Doctors at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis are performing a new procedure to treat atrial fibrillation, a common irregular heartbeat.

Available at only a handful of U.S. medical centers, this “hybrid” procedure combines minimally invasive surgical techniques with the latest advances in catheter ablation, a technique that applies scars to the heart’s inner surface to block signals causing the heart to misfire. The two-pronged approach gives doctors access to both the inside and outside of the heart at the same time, helping to more completely block the erratic electrical signals that cause atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation affects more than 2 million Americans, a number that continues to increase as the population ages. While not fatal in itself, patients who suffer from atrial fibrillation are at increased risk of stroke and congestive heart failure. And many, especially those who feel the fibrillations, have shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue and feelings of anxiety, among other problems.

“For some patients, it’s a difficult way to live,” says Phillip S. Cuculich, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and a cardiac electrophysiologist who treats patients with atrial fibrillation at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

Atrial fibrillation occurs when the smaller upper chambers of the heart, called atria, get irregular electrical signals that disrupt the coordinated pumping of blood through the heart to the rest of the body. Instead of a normal beat, these signals cause weak flutters that prevent adequate blood flow to the ventricles, the heart’s main pumps.

Despite its prevalence, atrial fibrillation remains tricky to treat. Medications that maintain a normal heart rhythm often stop working after a period of time.

When medication is no longer effective, doctors typically recommend catheter ablation, which involves threading long, thin tubes through a vein in the groin into the heart. The tips of these catheters can be heated, allowing doctors to perform a series of ablations, or burns, on the heart’s inner surface. The goal of ablation therapy is to create scar tissue that isolates the irregular electrical signals and blocks them from spreading over the heart and causing fibrillation. After a catheter ablation procedure, about 70 percent of patients remain free of symptoms after one year.

Although success rates for catheter ablation are better than medication, catheter ablation does not always work. Some patients may require a second or third procedure to achieve a successful result.

“The heart is a remarkable thing,” Cuculich says, “It’s very sturdy and can reconnect across those ablation lines.”

For hard-to-treat patients, doctors have recommended the Cox-Maze surgical procedure, developed in 1987 by James L. Cox, MD, at Washington University.

The Cox-Maze surgical procedure has a high success rate and is considered the gold standard of atrial fibrillation treatment. The original Cox-Maze procedure has been refined by Ralph J. Damiano Jr., MD, the John M. Shoenberg Professor of Surgery at Washington University, and is effective in 90 percent of patients who undergo it. Damiano has made the procedure easier to perform and more widely available. But many patients consider it too invasive to treat their atrial fibrillation.

“If you have other cardiac surgery that you need, like bypass surgery or valve surgery, and you have atrial fibrillation, the Cox-Maze procedure is an excellent choice to do at the same time,” Cuculich says. “But most of my patients just have atrial fibrillation.”

To better help these patients, the new hybrid procedure attempts to combine the success rates of the Cox-Maze procedure with the minimally invasive nature and shorter recovery times associated with catheter ablation.

The key is blocking signals that cause the erratic rhythm from both inside and outside the heart at the same time. Because catheters enter through a vein, electrophysiologists only have access to the inside of the heart. A surgeon, in contrast, can provide access to the outside.

“By applying the energy to make scars from both the inside and outside of the heart, we’re better able to achieve a full-thickness ablation,” says Hersh S. Maniar, MD, assistant professor of surgery at the School of Medicine who performs the new hybrid procedure and the Cox-Maze. “A complete scar that crosses through the full thickness of the heart wall will more permanently block atrial fibrillation signals.”

To avoid open surgery, the hybrid procedure is performed through three small incisions under each of the patient’s armpits. The surgeons view their work by inserting a small camera into one of the incisions.

After the surgeon has performed the ablations on the outside of the heart, the electrophysiologist uses the catheters inside the heart to attempt to induce a fibrillation, testing the integrity of the ablation lines. If the atrial fibrillation persists, the electrophysiologist can touch up the ablation lines inside the heart until fibrillation can no longer be induced. Finally, the surgeon closes off the left atrial appendage, the area of the heart where most stroke-causing blood clots originate.

According to Maniar, the goal of the hybrid procedure is to develop a minimally invasive, yet highly effective procedure that reduces the risk of stroke and allows more patients with atrial fibrillation to be treated effectively with a single procedure.

A clinical trial is planned to compare the new hybrid procedure to catheter ablation in patients whose atrial fibrillation is persistent, meaning it does not start and stop on its own, and whose left atrium is enlarged. This group of patients has not done well historically with catheter ablation.

But outside the clinical trial, the procedure is now available to any patient with atrial fibrillation after consultation with his or her doctor.

“Right now we’re doing this for people who have persistent atrial fibrillation and for people who have had a failed catheter ablation procedure,” Cuculich says. “I think this is an important step forward in improving patient quality of life in a less invasive way than traditional surgery.”

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On the Net:

• Washington University in St. Louis