By Scott, Jeannette

In The Spotlight Jeannette Scott

[email protected]

After decades as a well-known Lancaster advocate for domestic violence prevention and access to health care for women and children, Linda Gort is moving on.

Gort, SouthEast Lancaster Health Services Inc.’s director of women’s and children’s services and a family nurse practitioner, will join the Institute for Family Health in the Bronx, N.Y., as a nurse practitioner Nov. 17.

“My grandparents were immigrants and came to New York through Ellis Island, so I’ve always considered New York my family home,” she said.

While Gort, 57, takes her vision for health care for underserved women to the Big Apple, she leaves a legacy here.

Since 1996, Gort has worked with SouthEast Lancaster Health Services and volunteered her services to pregnant inmates at Lancaster County Prison.

Previously, she provided maternal and child health services at the YWCA, St. Joseph Hospital, St. Joseph School of Nursing, and Family Practice Associates of Lancaster.

Her most rewarding moments have been “seeing the birth of a new program,” she wrote in an e-mail. Such “births” include the addition of a volunteer-staffed pregnancy clinic at Planned Parenthood; developing single-room maternity care, midwifery and breast-feeding services at St. Joseph Hospital; and closing the loop for obstetric patients at SouthEast, so they can be cared for in the health center and the hospital.

Her most heartbreaking experiences were with families whose babies died, despite the best efforts of patients and practitioners. “Sometimes things happen that we can’t control,” she wrote. “I do feel that sharing the grief is a special honor for me.”

Gort said she wanted to care for women and babies as far back as fourth grade. She began college with plans to become an obstetrician or pediatrician.

“All that changed when I learned about the family nurse practitioner role and realized that this was exactly who I was,” she wrote.

Gort hopes to be involved in restarting an obstetrics program for underserved women at her new job in the Bronx.

Her excitement about that possibility doesn’t make it easier to pull up deep roots here, though.

“This is one month to go and I’m gonna be crazy every day for a month,” she said.

“This has been an extraordinary, interconnected place to live and work.”

But nine years ago, her husband, Lenny Walton, “did a stint in New York City with AmeriCorps, and ever since, we’ve been trying to find a way to get there,” she said.

They’ve been married for 36 years and have a son, Matthew, and a daughter-in-law, Abby Vogus.

Gort leaves behind “talented, visionary people at SouthEast, beginning with our medical director, Bill Fife,” she said. “And we’ve been working on transitioning my administrative responsibilities to several clinicians.”

“I’ll keep in touch,” she said. “My new center utilizes the electronic medical records [system] we’re hoping to start at SouthEast, so maybe I can cheerlead as we develop it here.”

Said Gort, “I have just felt that I have had the most perfect life, and for no reason. I love what I do.”

How I met my husband: My cousin roomed with him one summer during college and my mom sent me over with care packages. I guess he thought I’d be a great cook like my mom!

I’ve never been very good at: Math, so I’m always careful to check and recheck my calculations when I prescribe medications for children.

Farthest I have traveled: Southeast Asia last winter to visit our son and daughter-in-law who were in Myanmar (Burma) for the past year.

If I could go anywhere in the world, it would be: A long trip to Central and South America to work on my Spanish.

When I need downtime, I: Read, and plan designs for new collages. Maybe I’ll get to work on them in NYC!

My favorite comfort food: Soup, but on a really bad day I need dark chocolate or Smarties.

Every morning, I: Hit the snooze alarm two or three times. I am so not a morning person, yet I exercise most days before work.

What scares me: I’m a pretty brave person. I’m not afraid to go out at night or travel by myself. But I’m petrified of birds. And dogs, because they jump on you.

My pets: I have five fish in my pond, but they’re not very interactive!

I most admire: The Dalai Lama, for always speaking the truth and believing in peace, and maybe for sharing Buddhism in a way that all faiths can understand.

My faith: My son says I’m a philosophical Buddhist. I try, but don’t do very well with meditating. It’s a discipline issue for me. But if there was a religion that followed the teachings of Jesus, I would follow it. I can’t see where people go hungry and churches build new additions.

What bothers me: Inequality … more than anything else.

(Copyright 2008 Lancaster Newspapers. All rights reserved.)

(c) 2008 Sunday News; Lancaster, Pa.. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

By Shanna Flowers [email protected] 981-3220

A dark mahogany, butter-soft leather sofa beckons visitors into the homey room just inside the door of Roanoke’s Blue Ridge Women’s Center.

A throw blanket is casually draped across the back of the sofa; it’s the same color as the cranberry red pillows perched on nearby leather upholstered chairs. The warm mocha walls are bathed in soft lamp lighting, and a television perched overhead is barely audible.

The sitting room at the Christian-based, anti-abortion women’s center on Williamson Road is comfortable, cozy and welcoming.

The room at the Blue Ridge center is a different side of a movement often typified by attention-seeking protesters outside abortion clinics or in human chains along busy roads.

Two weeks ago, I visited the Blue Ridge center after one of its volunteers called me. She had taken issue with my characterization of social conservatives as lacking compassion for teen mothers.

She noted that several women’s centers, including Blue Ridge, treat unwed pregnant teens with kindness and concern.

So I met with Phil Holsinger, the center’s president and chief executive, as well as staff counselor Susie Amos and director of clinical services Brooke McGlothlin.

I wasn’t prepared to immediately warm to Holsinger and his staff.

But I did, and I developed a new respect for at least a portion of a movement I had thought of as one-dimensional.

Holsinger acknowledged there are some in the anti-abortion cause who are more aggressive in their efforts. But many are not, he added.

“Unfortunately, the rhetoric in our country is always argued from the extremes,” Holsinger said. “We’ve chosen to be the compassionate voice in the midst.”

Caring about mom, too

Established in 1984 as the Crisis Pregnancy Center of Roanoke, Blue Ridge provides free pregnancy testing and counseling to women of varying ages who are pregnant or think they might be. The center, which also has an office in Rocky Mount, also has free maternity clothes and baby items, such as strollers.

Its mission extends beyond getting the baby here but also helping the mother get on her feet.

The center serves about 400 women a year. During its 24 years, it has encountered 858 women who came through the doors considering abortion, but chose to have their babies instead, according to one of its brochures.

Clients include the unmarried and the married, McGlothlin said, and some men accompany their wives or girlfriends. Most of the women are between 18 and 24, but the clinic has seen 13-year-old girls and 50-year-old women.

McGlothlin said many women take over-the-counter pregnancy tests at home but seek a more reliable, laboratory-quality urine test at the clinic.

“More than that, they need someone to help them think through the situation, need someone outside the situation,” she said.

“We convey to the client that this is a safe place,” Amos said. “When the girls come in here, they have a high stress level. We just listen to them.”

Offering hope

Elizabeth Wagner showed up at the center about five months ago, single, pregnant and unemployed. The 21-year-old and her baby’s father were on rocky terms. She was afraid to tell her mother and fearful that her church would reject her.

She wanted her child, but in the swirl of confusion and stress, the option of abortion crossed her mind.

“I needed the confirmation,” Wagner said. “Susie sat down and talked to me and gave me hope.”

Today, Wagner has a job, and she and her mother get along fine. A recent sonogram shows her baby is a girl, and she’s thinking of names.

“I know it’s going to be tough and it’s going to be hard, but God has given me this baby for a reason, and I’m going to take it one step at a time,” she said.

A ministry

Like many others, Wagner learned about the center through word of mouth. Most of them know it is a Christian-based facility.

So they usually are not surprised if a counselor brings up their faith and asks them to speak about it as it relates to their situation, McGlothlin said.

She said counselors ask clients questions such as, “What do you think God thinks about this life you’re carrying? … Do you feel like God has an opinion? Does that matter to you?”

Amos noted that if someone doesn’t want to inject religion into the conversation, “we are not in their face with that.”

At the beginning, the staff informs women that it does not refer for abortions or perform abortions, McGlothlin said. Still, some women who have no intention of carrying their babies to term still visit, she said.

Some merely want to confirm their pregnancy. Others seek information about life skills classes the center offers to help them get their lives on track.

A summer/fall list of classes included childbirth, resume- writing and career counseling, budgeting and abortion recovery. The recovery class is for women who terminated a pregnancy months and even years ago and are struggling with the decision.

“There is no circumstance where we’d say, ‘You are not welcome here.’ We want to be a service to any woman who needs our help,” McGlothlin said.

A call for more workers

The center, has eight full- and part-time workers, and has an annual budget of $365,000. Individual donations make up 71 percent of the budget. Churches give 17 percent and businesses 12 percent.

Overseeing the operation is Holsinger, an ordained minister, former pastor, husband and father. He joined the center in February. Holsinger, who grew up in my hometown of Flint, Mich., is easygoing, engaging and not judgmental. He was not exactly what I expected of the CEO of an anti-abortion center.

Holsinger, 55, used to support abortion rights. Before he met his wife, Cindy, a previous girlfriend became pregnant. The young woman decided to have an abortion, and Holsinger backed her decision.

He said he became a Christian in 1984 and became “pro-life in my mind, not pro-life in my heart.”

His moment of full transformation came six years later. During recovery from testicular cancer, his doctor had told him Cindy should not get pregnant for at least 18 months because of the radiation treatment.

Holsinger had never told his wife about the doctor’s caution.

But one morning in 1990 as he shaved, his wife waved a home pregnancy test in his face.

“God was telling me at that moment that I needed to trust him,” Holsinger said.

He relied on his faith, and eight months later a child arrived, Taylor, who is now a spirited and healthy teenage girl. Holsinger didn’t tell his wife of the doctor’s warning until after their daughter was born.

“I made a decision I was going to trust in God’s goodness.”

Today, Holsinger wants to get a new generation of workers, including more minorities, active in the anti-abortion cause.

“The problem we have in pregnancy ministry work is too much gray hair,” he said before 500 supporters at the center’s annual banquet Oct. 2. “The next generation has to be equipped to be ready to serve.”

(c) 2008 Roanoke Times & World News. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

American Diabetes Wholesale, a discount retailer of diabetic supplies, donated $10,000 in diabetic supplies to support Andy Mandell (“Mr. Diabetes(R)”) and his effort to increase awareness about diabetes through the Defeat Diabetes Foundation.

Through his epic 10,000+ mile Wake Up and Walk(R) Tour of the perimeter of the U.S., Andy Mandell is raising awareness about diabetes, its prevention and the consequences of undiagnosed and/or poorly managed diabetes.

“We are very pleased to receive the free diabetic supplies from American Diabetes Wholesale,” said Andy Mandell, Mr. Diabetes(R) and Executive Director of Defeat Diabetes Foundation. Mandell added, “The diabetes testing supplies will get into the hands of people who really need them and will encourage more testing, which is key to improving the health of someone who has diabetes and avoiding serious complications of the disease.”

“It was a very easy decision to donate the diabetic supplies to Andy and his organization,” said Chris Maguire, co-founder of American Diabetes Wholesale. Mr. Maguire added, “We admire Mr. Diabetes(R) and his tireless effort and programs that have helped increase awareness about pre-diabetes, prevention and diabetes self management.”

American Diabetes Wholesale has a mission of keeping diabetes affordable for everyone by offering thousands of brand name diabetes and other health products at savings up to 60% off retail prices. For more information on American Diabetes Wholesale, visit AmericanDiabetesWholesale.com. Mr. Diabetes(R) will be finishing his 10,000+ mile journey on December 21, 2008 in Madeira Beach, Florida. For more information about Mr. Diabetes(R) and the Defeat Diabetes Foundation, visit DefeatDiabetes.org.

Trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective holders.

By Dwoskin, Elizabeth

They spot you as you’re walking near union Sqaure on your lunch hour. Two impossibly fresh-faced, collegeage canvassers which clipboards station themselves at either end of the block. They’re facing each other, so that no pedestrian heading in either direcion can escape the trap they’ve set on this sunny summer afternoon. As you approach them, you do what you can to pretend not to notice. You adjust the headphones of your MP3 player as a way of advertising that you can’t hear anything lower than the sound of an airplane engine. Or you pull the celebrity trick-holding a cell phone up to one ear, even though you’re not really on a call.

But there’s no way you’re escaping the pitch.

“Got a minute for the environment?”

Or…

“Got a minute for gay rights?

Or…

“Got a minute for the ACLU?”

And despite your evasions, you just can’t keep going, because the canvasser-who is younger and lither than you – has pounced into your pathwith the quickness of a jungle cat and is staring at you with an expectant, disarming smile.

And you stop, because you can’t dodge the Most Annoying People in Lower Manhattan.

It’s noon, it’s over 90 degrees, and Garth Mramor, late of Buffalo and Colorado University, overstakes a woman before she has time to run away. With sweat dripping down his ruddy face, he stares into her eyes and delivers his pitch at breakneck speed, knowing that he has only seconds to get it all out.

His-my-name-is-Garth-and-I’m-from-Chidren-International-and- we’re-trying-to-help-children-in-poverty. Children-in-abject- poverty. There-are-kids-dying-every-day-because-they-don’t-have- something-as-silly-as-food-and-water. I-mean-even-a-bum-in-New-York- can-have-two-meals-a-day!”

Despite the fact that his breathless spiel is all monologue, Garth’s job title is “dialoguer.” It’s a term coined by an Austrian company known as the Dialogue Group, which helped to develop thus brand of street confrontation and brought it to U.S. cities a few years ago with a subsidiary called Dialogue Direct.

Garth pauses to catch his breath and then whips out a laminated picture of his own sponsored child, an innocent-looking boy sitting in a hut thatched with palm fronds. The location, he says, is the Dominican Republic. He checks to see whether he still has the attention of the woman in front of him. He does, but then realizes he’s talking to a reporter.

“Children are dying and you’re wasting my time!” he says, scowling. Maramor drops the laminated photograph back into his duffel bag. He doesn’t apologize for something rude. “Being nice doesn’t work,” says the irratated college student. “I signed up two people today by being an asshole, and I’ll continue to do that. Have a nice day.”

In the summer months, hundreds of canvassers fights for side- walk space with people sellingcomedy-club tickets, homemade rap CDs, and trial passes to exercise gyms and hair salonn It’s tempting to think that the army of young recruits is a sign that a new generation is joining in progressive causes. But actually it’s asign of something else-that the pushy approach is a moneymaker 11w nonprofit organizations.

Dialogue Direct claims to provide Children International withal5oto 160 percent return on its investment (Children International itself; however, wouldn’t corroborate that claim, sayingthatit doesn’t discuss marketingstrategies~) Other organizations like Greenpeace and the ACLU are sending more canvassers onto the city’s streets each year and are signing people up for their causes at record rates.

But the canvassers for children’s charities set another kind of record: for sounding the most desperate. Every pitch is couched in life-and-death terms, as if a child is about to expire that minute if you don’t open your wallet

And nothing stops them. Not rain. Not rejection. Not even the all- too-frequent smartass who yells at them; “I don’t give a flying fuck about children!”

At 4 p.m. every day, just after finishing lunch at Wend/s or Taco Bell, Stefan Siveski rounds up his teammates for a group huddle in Union Square. The others circle around him. They’re decked out in fluorescent charity gear so thatthey look like humanhighlighters. Opposite Siveski, there’s the Fridge, a large English lad on summer break, whose real name is Adam WarzynskL (You might have heard his British accent outside Whole Foods: “Do you have a minute for a charming English gentleman?”)

Next to Siveski stands the Joker, a 22year-old student whose real name is Leisel Renaud (“I used to work for the YMCA, but now I’m helping children that are dying. So it’s really good!”). On Siveski’s other side is Sarina Martin, 21, of Gramercy Park, who is getting her realestate license and whose nickname, World Vision, comes from a previous stint with a rival fundraising company.

Siveski, laid-back, charming, and handsome, is not only the leader but one of the best salesmen, averaging about four sign-ups a day (mostly ladies, whom he’s not above calling “my eternal sunshine” to turn their heads).

“I admit, I let the rain get to me,” he says to the others, referring to some recent soggy slimmer weather. “But think about the kids we’re trying to save here. A million girls in India that don’t have water to drink.” A giggle is heard from inside the huddle. “There’s nothing fiinny about this!” he snaps, though without losing his cool. “We’re on six, and our target is 15,” he says, referring to that day’s goal. “We can’t have any excuses, guys!”

Siveski closes the ritual by asking each person in die five- member team how many people they plan to sign up in the remainder of die afternoon. “Just focus on getting that first one,” he reassures everyone, and they all stack their hands atop one another for a moment of solidarity.

Morale-boosting is abig part of ajob witii so much rejection. It starts at the campaign’s office on 28th Street, where the canvassers gadier at 9:30 a.m. each morning. Their progress is marked on a giant wall chart They get a daily training session with a campaign manager, a dancer named Maya Escueta, who might show them a video about the Darfur crisis, read from TheEndofPovertyby economist Jeffrey Sachs, or hand out statistics about the scale of humanitarian catastrophes (“Do you know that we could end hunger with just one-tenth of what we spend on alcohol or cosmetics?” Sarina asks).

There is also a lesson about compassion fatigue (“If s a phenomenon, I guess,” says Siveski, rolling his eyes). The teams bid for locations-Siveski usually vies for Union Square-and then they hit the streets, but not before lip-synching to their favorite tracks: Chris De Burgh’s 1986 hit “The Lady in Red” or Bonnie Tier’s ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart”

Siveski is only 19, but within a few weeks of starting the job in late June, he was promoted to team leader. He’s one of the most successful in an office that includes about 60 canvassers (the number varies from week to week because so many people quit or get fired).

Although the Dialogue Direct website promises that its approach ensures “the fun stays within fundraising,” about 40 percent of new canvassers quit in the first week, according to Dialogue Direct vice president Dan MandelL Those who do stick with it, however, seem to enjoy themselves.

Dialogue Direct expanded into eight American cities in 2003. The company, whose client list has included Save the Children and the large anti-poverty charity CARE, is pneof several organizations that put canvassersten American streets in the summer. Another is Grassroots Campaign, which is contracted by the ACLU and the Democratic National Committee.

And nonprofits are finding that the inyour-face approach often works better than more traditional fundraising models like direct mail, telemarketing, and expensive television commercials.

“You want to access the general public, and no matter how advanced your technology, the best way to access the general public is to get people talking to people,” says another Dialogue Direct VP, Matt Bergin.

Dialogue Direct says that it signed up 23,000 people for three children’s charities last year; its goal is tp sign up 25,000 people to sponsor children this year. The ACLU says it signed up about 50,000 new members since it began street fundraising last summer-a big priority for the venerable organization, which has an aging membership base

And those sign-ups are crucial to nonprofits, because the canvassers stopping you on the street don’t want your lunch money. They want your credit card

Canvassers try to get their targets to commit to automatic monthly withdrawals for a year or two-sometimes even longer. Getting that kind of long-term commitment through a direct-mail campaign is extremely tough, says Steve Abrahamson, associate director of membership for the ACLU. “Some things just require more explanation,” he says. An interaction that lasts five minutes on die street may yield more than $1,000 to the charity.

And the canvassers say that sometimes they have even more success. DNC canvassers were buzzing last month about a man on the Upper West Side who had his credit card charged on the spot for $28,000.

Children International claims to pass 80 percent of the sponsorship money directly to the child in the form of social services. The organization currently generates more than $87 million in annual sponsorships, and 10 percent of new sponsors sign up on the street, says Dolores Kitchen, a spokeswoman for the organization. The charity enjoys a good reputation, though in 1998, a Chicago Tribune investigation of children’s charities found that children didn’t always receive the benefits that Children International claimed it had given them. ‘People don’t really want to do this,’ Siveski says about the people he stops on the street “You have to persuade.” Escueta says that every objection comes from a certain place: “Either a lack of comfort, a lack of information, or a lack of empathy.” She admits that dialoguers can be annoying, but adds: “I think Martin Luther King was probably a bit annoying.”

A common objection that people raise, besides the feet that they don’t have any money-something the dialoguers almost never believe- is that they don’t feel comfortable giving their credit card to a stranger on the street When that happens, canvassers will explain that the organization is accredited by the attorney general’s office, adding that they could personally get sued if they were to steal a person’s creditcard information. But Escueta doesn’t think they need to go that far: “You can show them anything, but at some point they have to trust you.”

Siveski, who is studying business at a university in Canada, says that street fundraising is a numbers game: If you get enough people to hear you out, at least some will sign up. ‘If you stop between one and two people, that’s pure statistics,” he explains. “Three to four, you know what you’re doing. More than four, if s like you really care.”

And, of course, there are financial incentives. Canvassers are paid abase rate of $10 an hour, as well as bonuses when they get more than two sign-ups: $50 for the day’s third sign-up, $70 for the fourth, and $180 for the fifth.

“Ultimately, they don’t stop for the charity,” says Sarina Martin, who is a top signer in the group. “They stop for you.”

Dialogue Direct and other charities admit that not everyone is cut out for this line of work. It involves long hours, the personality to approach random people, and dealing with rejection and even cruelty. Canvassers get frustrated. Garth, the self- proclaimed asshole, was fired for his attitude just a few weeks after he was first encountered on the street by the Voice.

“I guess I’m not a team player,” he says.

Escueta, who is 27, knows just how tough things can get One time, she was canvassing for CARE on the streets of New York One man-“I guess he thought I was too pushy”-threatened to cancel his sponsorship of a child through another organization. It was the end of the day; Escueta broke down. She apologized, begging him not to cancel his sponsorship because of something she did: “And I just said to him, Oo in peace.”‘Tears ran down her face.

A few hours later, she says, the man came back to find her. He gave money for CARE. Proof, she says, “that miracles can happen on the street”

It’s almost 6 p.m., and Siveski is reaching the point of desperation. For practically the first time in his career as a dialoguer, he has had only one sign-up that day. On another corner, the Fridge is trying to woo sponsors with his standard line, but the charm ofhis British accent appears to be lost on the foreign tourists walking the streets. Sarina, wearing hip-hugging jeans and big hoop earrings, is batting her eyes at a man nearby. The man is explaining that the children she wants him to sponsor seem too anonymous. Kind of like “Save the Whales,” he says. Sarina eggs him on: “You know you’ve thought about sponsoring a child.” But the man resists, saying he’s already supporting two children-his own.

Siveski, meanwhile, is chasing after a medical student named Stacy: “Stacy! Stacy! Stacy! Come back, Stacy!”

He trails her for a half-block The AfricanAmerican woman in a low- cut dress finally spins around. “I can’t I have medical loans,” she says.

But Siveski has a counter-argument ‘Tm a college student I just took out $30,000 in student loans last week”

Stacy: “I have more than $200,000. I’m sorry.”

Siveski keeps parrying: “I was born in the former Yugoslavia. I know what a thirdworld country is. IfI can do it, and I’m just a college student…”

Stacy: OK, well, you’re a better person than I am. I’m proud of you.”

“No, you’re not,” Siveski says, and quickly shifts strategy. “We drink beer and go shopping while these kids dont have food and water. In 20 years, when you look back on your life, what are you going to say that you spent your money and time on? Do you remember the last purchase you made?”

Stacy holds up the H&M bag in her hand.

Siveski: “Well, I’m sure you can’t remember the others.”

Stacy: “Do you have a website?”

Ifs a question that Siveski hates, and he almost loses his ever- present cooL “Look,” he says, “there’s nothing on the website that I can’t tell you right here! Only three percent of our 350,000 donors came from the website!”

Stacy: “Well, maybe 111 be in that three percent”

As she starts to run away again, he follows, and she shouts: “Please, there has to be someone else!”

Siveski: “Stacy! Stacy! Stacy! Do you have food and water to drink? I ask you, do you know what it is like to feel thirst and not have water?”

Stacy: “I don’t have any money. My mom pays for my food.”

SiveskL ‘Then ask your mom!”

Stacy: “I feel badly… I’m sorry.”

He touches her arm lightly. She scoots away and runs down the street, calling back over her shoulder “I feel so guilty!”

Afterwards, Siveski sighs in disbelief “And she’s a doctor!” he exclaims.

“Are we really that annoying that if you stop for 30 seconds, we’re going to ruin your day? What’s the big deal?” he asks. “Ninety percent of people say they don’t have time because they have to go to work They are so self-centered. They feel if they take 30 seconds, the whole world will come crashing down.”

But there isn’t really time to dwell on his frustrations. Within seconds, Siveski is eyeing the sidewalk again. If s full of potential signers in summer dresses, and he’s already quickening his step.

‘GOT A MINUTE?’

THE YOUNG PREDATORS WHO HUNT YOU DOWN ON YOUR LUNCH HOUR

Got a minute?

Siveski works his magic.

‘I SIGNED UP TWO PEOPLE TODAY BY BEING AN ASSHOLE, AND I’LL CONTINUE TO DO THAT. HAVE A NICE DAY.’

THE CANVASSERS STOPPING YOU ON THE STREET DON’T WANT YOUR LUNCH MONEY. THEY WANT YOUR CREDIT CARD.

[email protected]

Copyright Village Voice Sep 3-Sep 9, 2008

(c) 2008 Village Voice, The. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ — Heart Hospital of Austin announced today that it has been ranked #1 in Texas for overall cardiac services for the sixth year in a row by HealthGrades, the leading healthcare ratings company. Heart Hospital of Austin is also a recipient of the 2009 clinical excellence award for overall cardiac services and ranked among the top five percent nationally for the sixth year in a row.

   In addition, Heart Hospital of Austin received the following recognitions:    --  Ranked #1 in Texas for Cardiac Surgery   --  Recipient of the HealthGrades Cardiac Surgery Excellence Award(TM) 2       years in a row   --  Recipient of the HealthGrades Coronary Intervention Excellence       Award(TM) 2 years in a row   --  Ranked Among the Top 5% in the Nation for Cardiac Surgery in 2009   --  Ranked Among the Top 5% in the Nation for Cardiology Services  6 years       in a row   --  Ranked Among the Top 5% in the Nation for Coronary Interventional       Procedures 2 years in a row   --  Five-Star Rated for Overall Cardiac Services 6 years in a row   --  Five-Star Rated for Cardiac Surgery   --  Five-Star Rated for Cardiology Services 6 years in a row   --  Five-Star Rated for Coronary Bypass Surgery 6 years in a row   --  Five-Star Rated for Coronary Interventional Procedures 6 years in a       row   --  Five-Star Rated for Treatment of Heart Attack 6 years in a row   --  Five-Star Rated for Treatment of Heart Failure 6 years in a row   --  Received the Highest Possible Star Ratings for Coronary Bypass Surgery   --  Received the Highest Possible Star Ratings for Coronary Interventional       Procedures 2 years in a row   --  Received the Highest Possible Star Ratings for Treatment of Heart       Attack 6 years in a row   --  Received the Highest Possible Star Ratings for Treatment of Heart       Failure 6 years in a row    

“We are very pleased to receive the HealthGrades #1 ranking again this year,” says David Laird, Heart Hospital of Austin President and Chief Executive Officer. “The physicians at Heart Hospital of Austin are outstanding and we are very appreciative of their essential role in achieving superior clinical outcomes. Our staff members are truly amazing and consistently demonstrate their skill and compassion in caring for our patients and their family members.”

These findings were included in the eleventh annual HealthGrades Hospital Quality in America Study, which is the most comprehensive study of its kind, analyzing more than 41 million Medicare hospitalization records from 2005 to 2007 at the nation’s approximately 5,000 non-federal hospitals. According to the study, if all hospitals performed at the level of five-star rated hospitals, 237,420 Medicare deaths could potentially have been prevented over the three years studied. More than half of those preventable deaths were associated with four conditions: sepsis, pneumonia, heart failure and respiratory failure.

While overall death rates declined from 2005 to 2007, the nation’s best-performing hospitals were able to reduce preventable deaths at a much faster rate than poor-performing hospitals, resulting in large state, regional and hospital-to-hospital variations in the quality of patient care, the study found.

“Our positive patient outcomes reflect the excellent quality of care they receive here,” explains Melissa Johnson, CPHQ, CPMSM, Director, Performance Improvement/Risk Management for the Heart Hospital of Austin. “Receiving this honor and being recognized by HealthGrades validates our commitment to the people of Central Texas and beyond.”

Based on the study, HealthGrades today made available its 2009 quality ratings for virtually every hospital in the country at http://www.healthgrades.com/, a Web site designed to help individuals research and compare local healthcare providers.

On its Web site, HealthGrades offers, free to consumers, quality ratings of 27 procedures and treatments for virtually every hospital in the country. The Web site is designed so that consumers can easily compare patient outcomes at their local hospitals for procedures ranging from aortic aneurysm repair to bypass surgery. Each hospital receives a star rating based on its patient outcomes in terms of mortality or complication rates for each procedure or treatment. Hospitals with outcomes that are above average to a statistically significant degree receive a five-star rating. Hospitals with average outcomes receive a three-star rating, and hospitals with outcomes that are below average receive a one-star rating. Because no two hospitals or their patients’ risk profiles are alike, HealthGrades employs extensive risk-adjustment algorithms to ensure that it is making analogous comparisons.

About Heart Hospital of Austin

The uniquely designed 58-bed hospital offers a full range of cardiac services and includes a 24-hour full service emergency center. Heart Hospital of Austin provides comprehensive physician-directed and patient-centered care resulting in excellent patient outcomes and satisfaction ratings. The hospital resulted from the shared vision of Austin Heart Cardiologists and Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons Group of Austin (CTVS). Working with hospital leadership, the groups created an atmosphere of quality resulting in the #1 ranked heart program in Texas, six years in a row. More information can be found at http://www.hearthospitalofaustin.com/.

Heart Hospital of Austin

CONTACT: Hospital, Richard Woehl, Director of Marketing of HeartHospital of Austin, +1-512-407-7584, [email protected];or Public Relations, Emily Schmitz, +1-512-630-8068, [email protected],for Heart Hospital of Austin

Web Site: http://www.healthgrades.com/http://www.hearthospitalofaustin.com/

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) – The nation’s leading pediatricians group says children from newborns to teens should get double the usually recommended amount of vitamin D because of evidence that it might help prevent serious diseases.

To meet the new recommendation of 400 units daily, millions of children will need to take daily vitamin D supplements, the American Academy of Pediatrics said. That includes breast-fed infants – even those who get some formula, too, and many teens who drink little or no milk.

Baby formula contains vitamin D, so infants on formula only generally don’t need supplements. However, the academy recommends breast-feeding for at least the first year of life and breast milk is sometimes deficient.

Most commercially available milk is fortified with vitamin D, but most children and teens don’t drink enough of it – four cups daily would be needed – to meet the new requirement, said Dr. Frank Greer, the report’s co-author.

The new advice is based on mounting research about potential benefits from vitamin D besides keeping bones strong, including suggestions that it might reduce risks for cancer, diabetes and heart disease. But the evidence isn’t conclusive and there’s no consensus on how much of the vitamin would be needed for disease prevention.

The new advice replaces a 2003 academy recommendation for 200 units daily.

That’s the amount the government recommends for children and adults up to age 50; 400 units is recommended for adults aged 51 to 70 and 600 units for those aged 71 and up. Vitamin D is sold in drops for young children, capsules and tablets.

The Institute of Medicine, a government advisory group that sets dietary standards, is discussing with federal agencies whether those recommendations should be changed based on emerging research, said spokeswoman Christine Stencel.

The recommendations were prepared for release today at an academy conference in Boston. They are to be published in the November issue of the academy’s journal, Pediatrics.

Besides milk and some other fortified foods like cereal, vitamin D is found in oily fish including tuna, mackerel and sardines.

But it’s hard to get enough through diet; the best source is sunlight because the body makes vitamin D when sunshine hits the skin.

While it is believed that 10 to 15 minutes in the sun without sunscreen a few times weekly is sufficient for many, people with dark skin and those in northern, less sunny climates need more.

(c) 2008 Telegraph – Herald (Dubuque). Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

By HARWARD, Esther

WHEN TWO of Tauranga mum Jenny Noble’s three children were diagnosed with a crippling bone disease, they told her they were in so much pain they wanted to die.

No medical remedy they tried worked and doctors told her and her husband Paul that nothing could be done to ease their children’s suffering.

That wasn’t good enough for the former secretary, who, despite having no medical knowledge, spent the next 20 years becoming an expert in the disease, known as ML3 (mucolipidosis type 3), an enzyme processing disorder which left the children with bone deformities and unable to walk.

Now her astounding work has been rewarded with a $40,000 AMP scholarship which will enable her to include New Zealanders in an international study of such diseases, and to fund the development of international protocols for using an osteoporosis drug, pamidronate, to treat ML3.

When the children were diagnosed in 1987, she and Paul got a second mortgage on their home and travelled to conferences all over the world to learn about the disease. “We didn’t have a choice, we had to learn for the benefit of Hayden and Sarah. At diagnosis we went into this great black void and I didn’t know how to get out. We searched for ways to manage the disease and ensure the kids were still with us today.”

ML3 is a glycoprotein disorder, part of a larger group of conditions known as lysosomal diseases. They are caused by the body’s failure to break down large molecules such as proteins into smaller components that cells can re-use, resulting in cells dying or becoming dysfunctional.

Noble has addressed medical conferences in the US, Australia and Europe; set up Lysosomal Diseases New Zealand; and fielded hundreds of emails from families worldwide.

In 2000 Jenny Noble took Hayden, now 24, and Sarah, 23, to Australia to try the pamidronate that Sydney University professor David Sillence was trialling on people with such diseases. Two weeks later, their pain reduced dramatically. After three months Sarah got out of her wheelchair with the help of a walking frame. Hayden is still in a wheelchair but he has no more pain.

“We were guinea pigs,” Sarah says. She describes getting rid of the pain as “unbelievable”. The success of the trial, and Noble’s lobbying in New Zealand, led to public funding for use of pamidronate to treat lysosomal diseases. There are 45 forms of the disease, which affects one in 5000 live births.

Noble’s organisation supports 96 Kiwi families. The diseases are inherited and lead to progressive physical and, in some cases, mental deterioration.

“Lysosomal diseases are considered the forgotten diseases because they’re rare, they’re complex, they’re difficult to understand, they’re hard to research because numbers are tiny.”

Noble’s goal is to see research done into the rarest lysosomal diseases, and ultimately to help eradicate them. She’s motivated by stories of other families who are suffering.

“That’s my passion and that’s my drive – it’s seeing the devastation and the heartache.”

——————–

(c) 2008 Sunday Star – Times; Wellington, New Zealand. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

On any given day Southern California ranks as the region with the worst air quality nationwide. Now, as local wildfires fill the region’s air with smoke and ash, millions of Californians are feeling the effects and wondering what they can do to stay well.

“It is only natural to have concerns about what you’re breathing in when you can see the extent of ash and billowing smoke around our region,” said Francene Lifson, executive director, Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), California Chapter. “Individuals with asthma and severe allergies need to take extra precautions and should keep their medications nearby.”

Wildfires have appeared in the North San Fernando Valley, approximately 20 miles north of Downtown Los Angeles and the smoke from the fires in this area includes small particles and gases that can cause health problems. The air quality can contribute to immediate health risks such as triggering an asthma attack or intensifying allergies, since the winds fueling the fires are also spreading allergens like pollen. Others who normally do not worry about air quality may develop headaches or pulmonary infections. All of these health considerations can be effectively managed.

Residents of Southern California can contact AAFA at (800) 624-0044 to obtain additional information or Allergist referrals.

The Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), California Chapter, is the premier organization for those who suffer from asthmatic and allergic diseases. AAFA is a non-profit voluntary health charity dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with asthma and allergies through education, advocacy and community outreach.

Kindred Healthcare, Inc. (the “Company”) (NYSE:KND) today announced the opening of Kindred Hospital The Palm Beaches in Palm Beach County, Florida, and announced plans for a new freestanding hospital in Melbourne, Florida.

Kindred Hospital The Palm Beaches is a 70-bed freestanding long-term acute care (“LTAC”) hospital in Riviera Beach in Palm Beach County, Florida. The Company currently operates eight hospitals in Florida.

The Company also announced plans to open a 60-bed freestanding LTAC hospital in Melbourne, Florida. Construction has begun and the hospital is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2009.

“We are excited about these new hospitals in Palm Beach County and Melbourne, Florida,” said Paul J. Diaz, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. “These hospitals will further our strategic growth plans and provide new opportunities to expand in markets that need our high-quality, post-acute services.”

“Kindred continues to meet the needs of patients in Florida and we look forward to serving these new markets,” said Frank J. Battafarano, Kindred’s Chief Operating Officer. “Patients from the Melbourne area have been traveling to Kindred’s hospitals in North Florida and Fort Lauderdale for many years. This will relieve the burden of having patients and families travel for more than two hours to receive the specialized care long-term acute care hospitals provide.”

About Kindred Healthcare

Kindred Healthcare, Inc. is a healthcare services company, based in Louisville, Kentucky, with annual revenues of over $4 billion and approximately 54,000 employees in 40 states. At June 30, 2008, Kindred through its subsidiaries provided healthcare services in 656 locations, including 83 long-term acute care hospitals, 228 skilled nursing centers and a contract rehabilitation services business, Peoplefirst rehabilitation services, which served 345 non-affiliated facilities. Kindred’s mission is to promote healing, provide hope, preserve dignity and produce value for each patient, resident, family member, customer, employee and shareholder we serve. For more information, go to www.kindredhealthcare.com.

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ — Thomson Reuters announced today that St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, NY, has significantly improved its core measures processes — such as increasing its discharge instruction compliance for heart failure patients from 85.4 percent in first-quarter 2007 to 100 percent in first-quarter 2008.

St. Peter’s Hospital, part of St. Peter’s Health Care Services of Albany, is one of only 10 hospitals in the nation named for eight years as a Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals(R): Cardiovascular Benchmarks for Success winner.

These achievements resulted from a series of initiatives put in place by St. Peter’s to improve patient safety and the quality of care while improving clinical outcomes. As part of its comprehensive clinical quality improvement program, St. Peter’s implemented the Clinical Xpert(TM) CareFocus(TM) solution from Thomson Reuters.

CareFocus, an extension of the Clinical Xpert Navigator solution, gives clinicians access to patient data via Palm, Windows Mobile, and BlackBerry(R) smartphones as well as through a Web portal. CareFocus enables clinicians to build clinical profiles to identify high-risk patients from within the entire hospital census based on combinations of their medications, lab and radiology results, vital signs, diagnoses, observations, active orders, demographics, and other transcribed reports.

By applying profiles against clinical patient data, CareFocus provides real-time identification of patients with core measure conditions, co-morbidities, high-risk medication profiles, and other high-risk conditions – before their conditions become more serious. Patients who meet the hospital’s preset criteria are automatically segmented into lists that are delivered via Clinical Xpert(TM) Navigator to the individual clinician’s desktop or handheld device. By identifying these high-risk patients early, hospitals can significantly improve clinical outcomes while reducing mortality, length of stay, and the increased costs associated with treating complications.

“St. Peter’s is proud of our outstanding achievements in cardiovascular health. Our nurses, in collaboration with our IT staff, have worked diligently over the past two years to improve patient outcomes,” said Amy Seymour, RN, director, medical cardiology. “Using clinical profiles from CareFocus for AMI and heart failure identification, as well as for medication screening, has been a key component of our overall clinical quality improvement program. We look forward to adding more surveillance profiles to this automated process in the near future.”

Kelly Remancus, RN, and Kristen Cumoletti, RN, will present the results of the St. Peter’s Hospital clinical performance improvement initiatives at the upcoming American Nurses Credentialing Center National Magnet Conference on October 16 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Their presentation is titled “Nurse Champion Innovations: Examining and Improving Core Measure Performance for Cardiac Patients.”

About Thomson Reuters

The Healthcare business of Thomson Reuters produces insights, information, benchmarks and analysis that enable organizations to manage costs, improve performance and enhance the quality of healthcare. Thomson Reuters is the world’s leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. We combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial, legal, tax and accounting, scientific, healthcare and media markets, powered by the world’s most trusted news organization. With headquarters in New York and major operations in London and Eagan, Minnesota, Thomson Reuters employs more than 50,000 people in 93 countries.

About St. Peter’s Health Care Services

St. Peter’s Health Care Services (SPHCS) of Albany, New York, was established by the Religious Sisters of Mercy in 1985 with components that date back to 1869. Led by St. Peter’s Hospital, a 442-bed acute care facility, the SPHCS system also includes: St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation; St. Peter’s Addiction Recovery Center (SPARC), a 40-bed addiction services center; Our Lady of Mercy Life Center, a 160-bed residential care facility; St. Peter’s Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, a 160-bed skilled nursing facility; Mercy Cares for Kids, a child day care center; The Community Hospice, serving patients in residential facilities, hospitals and at home in six counties; and St. Peter’s Auxiliary, Inc.

With 4,500 employees throughout the system and a budget of more than $450 million, St. Peter’s Health Care Services is the region’s fourth-largest employer. In recent years, the St. Peter’s Hospital has earned several top national and state honors for its overall care, cardiovascular care, patient safety and nursing services.

Thomson Reuters

CONTACT: David Wilkins, Media Relations, Healthcare, Thomson Reuters,+1-734-913-3397, [email protected]

Web site: http://www.thomsonreuters.com/

SIGNAL HILL, Calif., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ — Integrated Medical Systems, Inc., a medical technology systems integrator developing fully integrated products for critical care, announced today that it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market its MedEx 1000(TM) “suitcase” intensive care unit (ICU).

“FDA clearance of the MedEx 1000 is a major accomplishment for the company as we continue to demonstrate the economic and clinical value of integrated patient care technologies,” said Todd Kneale, President and Chief Operations Officer of Integrated Medical Systems, Inc. “This clearance is significant because it was received in less than 60 days from submittal of the application, includes the company’s new modular integrated architecture that will serve as a basis for an entire product family of scalable, customizable integrated solutions, and includes the first centralized control – as well as the first remote control – of multiple medical, data and utility capabilities. Just like systems integration transformed the automotive, aerospace and computer industries, the company is at the forefront of transforming healthcare through systems integration.”

“We believe this innovative system addresses a large unmet clinical need to support continuous patient care,” said Adam Seiver, MD, PhD, Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery Medical School, Stanford, former Director of Surgical Critical Care at Stanford Medical Center, and a member of company’s Board of Advisors. “The MedEx 1000 is the first hand-portable integrated medical, data and utility suite. Caregivers will now be able to provide continuous care, never needing to disconnect and re-connect a patient from therapy and monitoring as the patient is moved throughout a hospital, or even pre-hospital transport or disaster response. This technology meets a key need to increase patient and caregiver safety, while at the same time reducing the weight, volume, cost and clutter of current equipment.

Initial deliveries of the MedEx 1000 are expected in the first quarter of 2009. IMS expects to have a CE Mark by fall 2008, permitting marketing and sales in Europe.

About the MedEx 1000

The MedEx 1000 is a portable unit intended to supply ICU functionality for adult and pediatric patients. The MedEx 1000 combines the following medical device capabilities into a single platform: Physiological monitoring (electrocardiogram, invasive pressure monitoring, non-invasive blood pressure monitoring, temperature, blood oxygen saturation, and heart rate), low rate and high rate infusion pumps, a fluid warmer, a ventilator with carbon dioxide monitoring capabilities and the ability to deliver oxygen to a patient. The functions of the MedEx 1000 are controlled from a central user interface. The MedEx 1000 may be operated using either hot-swappable battery power or an external source. The unit can accept external high pressure or low pressure sources of oxygen. A USB Port provides connectivity to an external printer, and allows for a connection of a USB flash drive to off-load (download) logged data. An Ethernet Port allows for Local Area Network (LAN) connectivity. The MedEx 1000 is intended to be used in hospitals, aircraft, ambulances, field hospitals, and extended care facilities. A future upgrade will allow additional medical devices to be added using the Auxiliary Device Port and be controlled and displayed through the MedEx 1000.

The purpose of the MedEx 1000 is to help support continuous patient care during transport from outside of the hospital or within the hospital environment. Current practice includes frequently disconnecting and reconnecting a patient from therapy and monitoring when a patient is transported. During transport, caregivers have to juggle multiple medical devices and when they arrive at a destination, connect the devices to a central computer. Use of the MedEx 1000 not only increases patient safety, but caregiver efficiency, as well. Clinical studies with the predicate device, the LSTAT(TM) stretcher-based integrated patient care platform, demonstrated the need for fewer caregivers during transport, faster response time to adverse events, faster ‘time to go’ between wards, and potential reduction in the hospital length-of-stay (“Life Support for Trauma and Transport: a mobile ICU for safe in-hospital transport of critically injured patients”, Velmahos et al, Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 2004 July;199 (1):62-8).

About Integrated Medical Systems

Integrated Medical Systems, Inc. (IMS) is the leading innovator in the development of fully integrated products for critical care. Our firm, whose principal shareholders include Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC), is committed to the rapid deployment of products that include portable intensive care systems, advanced diagnostic and therapeutic devices, telemedicine networks, and related information systems. For more information on IMS and the MedEx 1000 “suitcase ICU”, please visit http://www.medex1000.com/

Integrated Medical Systems, Inc.

CONTACT: Matthew E. Hanson, Ph.D., Vice President of Integrated MedicalSystems, Inc., +1-562-498-1776, ext. 203, [email protected]

Web Site: http://www.medex1000.com/

By MATTHEW VAN DUSEN, STAFF WRITER

HACKENSACK — The city’s EMTs suffered another setback this week when the state Personnel Department ruled that the city’s layoff plan was legal, further dimming the workers’ hopes of winning back their jobs.

The Fire Department emergency medical technicians asked the state to invalidate their layoffs after a Superior Court judge in Bergen County found that the city improperly awarded the daytime ambulance service to Hackensack University Medical Center.

The Fire Department union plans to appeal the Personnel Department’s decision to a trial court, but officials said Friday they were frustrated by the decision.

“Every step of the way, this has been done wrong,” said Roberto Burgos, the secretary of the Hackensack Professional Fire Fighters Association. “We’ve [shown] that, and yet they’re still able to proceed.”

Burgos said city officials have acted in bad faith throughout the dispute, noting that they could have extended the jobs of the EMTs until the ambulance contract was awarded through the bidding process.

Instead, City Manager Steven Lo Iacono used his emergency powers to give the service to the medical center.

Lo Iacono responded that it would have created “chaos” to stop the transfer of the ambulance service to the medical center.

The Fire Department’s emergency medical technicians have been out of work for almost a month, and their numbers are starting to dwindle. One of the eight EMTs opted to retire before the Sept. 14 layoffs, and others are worried that their appeals will go nowhere.

EMT Joseph Taylor said he is considering taking a job at another North Jersey town, which he did not want to name, where he could preserve his state pension benefits.

“I can’t be out of work too much longer,” Taylor said.

He said his salary at the new job would be about half what he was making as an EMT.

“Hopefully, it’ll be a good winter and I’ll get a lot of plowing in,” he added.

The union expects to be in Bergen Superior Court next Thursday for a hearing on a restraining order that would bar the medical center from operating the ambulance service.

***

E-mail: [email protected]

(c) 2008 Record, The; Bergen County, N.J.. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

Seniors with diabetes now have two convenient, affordable options for receiving their Medicare Part B covered diabetes testing supplies from Walgreens. Patients can pick up their supplies at any of more than 6,400 convenient locations or Walgreens can mail the supplies to their home at no cost.

Signing up for the service is effortless – there’s no paperwork or upfront cost. Eligible seniors can simply call 888-PARTB-65 or request a call from Walgreens at https://www.walgreens.com/partb. Part B specialists will answer any questions and complete all claim forms.

Generally, Medicare covers 80 percent of the cost of diabetes testing supplies including blood glucose meters, test strips, lancets, lancing devices, control solution and replacement batteries for meters. Now, Walgreens will bill Medicare directly, as well as supplemental insurance plans for the portion not covered by Medicare. Patients are only responsible for any co-payment or deductible not covered by supplemental insurance.

“This service provides an unmatched level of convenience for Medicare Part B patients or their caregivers,” said Walgreens senior vice president of health care innovation, Don Huonker. “No other pharmacy has more nearby locations, where patients can receive face-to-face guidance and support, and the option to have supplies delivered to their door. Plus, it’s available without the burden of filling out complicated forms or waiting for supplemental insurance reimbursement. We’re addressing the need for ease and accessibility without sacrificing peace of mind.”

For more information on Medicare Part B services at Walgreens, or for additional diabetes resources and caregiver support, visit https://www.walgreens.com/partb.

Walgreens is the nation’s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2008 sales of $59 billion. The company operates 6,479 drugstores in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Walgreens provides the most convenient access to consumer goods and cost-effective health care services in America through its retail drugstores, Walgreens Health Services division and Walgreens Health and Wellness division. Walgreens Health Services assists pharmacy patients and prescription drug and medical plans through Walgreens Health Initiatives Inc. (a pharmacy benefit manager), Walgreens Mail Service Inc., Walgreens Home Care Inc., Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy LLC and SeniorMed LLC (a pharmacy provider to long-term care facilities). Walgreens Health and Wellness division includes Take Care Health Systems, which is comprised of: Take Care Consumer Solutions, managers of 247 convenient care clinics at Walgreens drugstores, and Take Care Employer Solutions, managers of worksite-based health and wellness services at 364 employer campuses.

PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Approximately three-quarters of people living with psoriasis say the disease is a significant problem in daily life, according to a National Psoriasis Foundation 2008 survey released today.

The survey of 426 individuals with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis also revealed that their disease influences their daily lives, shapes their feelings about themselves and affects how they believe others perceive them.

“These results are critical to understanding the serious emotional, physical and mental impact psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis can have on one’s health,” said Randy Beranek, president and CEO of the National Psoriasis Foundation. “This survey underscores the need to continue raising awareness about psoriatic diseases and ensure the public knows psoriasis isn’t ‘just a skin disease.’ It’s a serious disease that can have crippling effects.”

   Among the survey findings:   --  62% report significant itching and irritation.   --  61% believe their psoriasis leads others to stare.   --  57% find their psoriasis impacts their self esteem.   --  58% express significant feelings of embarrassment.   --  56% agree others think psoriasis is contagious.   --  52% avoid public swimming pools because of their disease.   

Approximately two-thirds of the respondents have moderate to severe psoriasis, a disease of the immune system which causes red, scaly lesions that often crack and bleed. Almost half of the respondents (41 percent) have psoriatic arthritis, an inflammatory disease of the joints.

The National Psoriasis Foundation conducts surveys biannually to understand the experiences and opinions of people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and document the impact of these diseases. The Foundation also uses the data to educate legislators, medical professionals and the public about psoriatic diseases.

Visit the National Psoriasis Foundation Web site to view the 2008 Survey Snapshot. http://psoriasis.org/research/foundation/survey_panels.php

About Psoriasis Psoriasis is a noncontagious, genetic disease that results when faulty signals in the immune system prompt skin cells to regenerate too quickly, causing red, scaly lesions that can crack and bleed. It often affects the elbows, knees, scalp and torso but can appear anywhere on the body. As many as 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis, according to the National Institutes of Health. Ten to 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, an inflammatory disease which causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints. Psoriasis can affect anyone at any age, including children. There is no cure yet for this lifelong disease.

About the National Psoriasis FoundationThe National Psoriasis Foundation is the leading patient-driven, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for millions of Americans with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis and their families. The Psoriasis Foundation focuses on education, advocacy and research toward better treatments and a cure. For more information, please call the National Psoriasis Foundation, headquartered in Portland, Ore., at 800.723.9166, or visit http://www.psoriasis.org/.

National Psoriasis Foundation

CONTACT: Catie Coman of the National Psoriasis Foundation,+1-503-546-8367, [email protected]

Web Site: http://www.psoriasis.org/

By Felice J Freyer

Thousands of doses of flu vaccine are going out to health-care providers around the state, and public flu clinics are already under way, as Rhode Island’s unique, centralized flu-shot distribution program moves into its second year.

That means that it’s time for everyone to get a flu shot. The vaccine is recommended for anyone who wants to avoid getting influenza, and is especially important for those at high risk of complications. For the first time, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all children older than 6 months receive the shot.

In Rhode Island, children should get their flu shots from their pediatricians. Adults can get the vaccine from their own doctor, a walk-in clinic or one of the public flu clinics being held in drugstores and elsewhere. For the first time this year, pharmacists are allowed to administer the flu shot.

For a list of public clinics, which are open to people 19 and older and typically charge about $25 per shot, go to www.health.ri.gov or call (800) 555-7858.

The flu season extends from December to March, and peaks in February. The vaccine needs two weeks to take effect and will last for a year.

Last year, Rhode Island started a new system in which Medicaid, Medicare, and private health insurers each contributed money based on how many of their enrollees were likely to get shots. The state Health Department used that money to buy vaccine and distribute it fairly.

The purpose was to avoid the confusion and inequities that occurred in previous years when flu shots were in short supply. Sometimes doctors couldn’t get doses for their high-risk patients while employers were inoculating healthy workers. Elderly people waited anxiously in line at public flu clinics, only to be turned away when supplies ran out. Doctors also complained that they never knew when the vaccines would arrive, making it hard to arrange to vaccinate their patients.

That has changed, because supplies are plentiful and because of the state’s new distribution system.

“It actually worked pretty well,” said Dr. Michael D. Fine, a Pawtucket family practitioner who had pushed for the new system. As a result, a number of doctors who had given up administering the vaccine are resuming the practice, Fine said.

“We got lots of positive feedback from the providers,” said Health Department spokeswoman Annemarie Beardsworth. “They didn’t have to deal with the stress and the hassle of ordering vaccine, checking when it would arrive, how it would arrive, how much was going to arrive.”

As a result, participation in the state program increased 5 percent this year, she said.

Last year, the state bought 248,000 doses of adult vaccine. About 10 percent was not used.

Under their agreement with the Health Department, providers who discard more than 10 percent of the vaccine they ordered must reimburse the state for the unused vaccine. Last year 76 providers reimbursed the state a total of $47,000.

That rule is prompting providers to better track vaccine usage. The state, also, has better information to guide its purchasing, Beardsworth said.

For the current season, the state has ordered 151,500 doses for children and 257,000 for adults. Those numbers include both the injectible and nasal vaccine.

Last year, about 60 percent of the vaccine doses went to private physician’s offices, 8 percent to health centers, 18 percent to long- term-care facilities, 5 percent to hospitals, 5 percent to urgent- care centers and walk-in clinics, 2 percent to public clinics, and 2 percent to businesses. The breakdown is expected to be about the same this year, Beardsworth said, except that about 60 pharmacies enrolled, now that a change in state law permits pharmacists to administer the shots.

Rhode Island ranks No. 1 in the country for the percentage of people older than 65 who get immunized against the flu. In 2007, 80 percent received the vaccine, up 5 percent from the previous year and better than the national average of 72 percent.

But last year, many people who’d been inoculated still got sick because the vaccine wasn’t a perfect match for the strain of flu that was circulating.

Influenza is a lung infection that can cause fever, cough, body aches and fatigue. Most people recover in a week or two, but vulnerable people can have serious complications.

The following groups of people are strongly advised to get a flu shot: anyone age 50 or older; residents of long-term-care facilities; anyone with a chronic, long-term health condition such as heart or lung disease, asthma or diabetes; anyone with a weakened immune system; pregnant women; health-care workers; and anyone who lives with or cares for a high-risk person. [email protected] / (401) 277-7397

Originally published by Felice J Freyer, Journal Medical Writer.

(c) 2008 Providence Journal. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

LAKE FOREST, Ill., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Hospira, Inc. , a global specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company, announced today that it has acquired the EndoTool(R) business from MD Scientific, LLC. The EndoTool glucose management system, a highly sophisticated software system cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), helps establish and maintain glycemic control in acute, critical care and operating room settings by calculating the dose of intravenous (I.V.) insulin needed to effectively control blood glucose levels. Hospira is demonstrating EndoTool at the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center (ANCC) National Magnet Conference, Oct. 15 – 17, in Salt Lake City.

“This acquisition represents an important extension of Hospira’s commitment to improved outcomes, patient safety and enhanced clinician efficiency,” said Chris Kolber, president, Global Devices, Hospira. “With the market-leading EndoTool in the Hospira portfolio, we are underscoring our commitment to technological leadership in the important area of clinical-decision support systems.”

Traditionally, nurses and other clinicians use paper-based protocols to manually monitor and adjust I.V. insulin dosing. The EndoTool software system is easy to operate, runs on a hospital’s existing computer system and can interface with a hospital information system (HIS).

EndoTool actively models and adapts to individual patient responses to I.V. insulin to help manage current and predict future dosage levels. It is the only software that uses five separate data points — based on the patient’s most recent blood glucose readings — to provide personalized, safe and effective glycemic control. Integrating more than 30 unique algorithms (mathematical steps) into its dosage calculation method, EndoTool helps ensure an extremely low incidence of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) by automating and standardizing the practice of glucose management.

“After using EndoTool in one of our hospitals as a pilot, we observed better and safer glucose control and improved patient outcomes,” said Loran Hauck, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer, at Florida-based Adventist Health System. “We then moved to install EndoTool in the ICUs at every hospital in our system. In the future we plan to use EndoTool in the operating rooms, emergency department, obstetrical units and step-down units across our ten-state, 37-hospital health system.”

To date, more than 10,000 patients with more than 450,000 blood glucose readings have had their blood glucose levels controlled with EndoTool.

In acute and critical-care settings, effective blood glucose management is integral to high-quality, safe patient care. Maintaining the appropriate precision to avoid under-or over-dosing of insulin is essential to improved patient management. For example, overly aggressive insulin therapy can increase the risk of hypoglycemia, which is an independent risk factor for mortality.(1,2) Whereas, complications of hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) include increased morbidity and mortality; as well as increased risk of secondary infection, impaired immune function and delayed wound healing.(1,3,4)

The EndoTool customer base includes leading healthcare institutions in both community and academic settings, including many Magnet accredited hospitals. Magnet status is given by the ANCC, an affiliate of the American Nurses Association, to hospitals that satisfy a set of criteria designed to measure the strength and quality of their nursing.

As part of the agreement, Hospira acquired additional assets related to the EndoTool business, including the MD Scientific headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., and the employees supporting the product. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

About MD Scientific

MD Scientific, LLC, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., was formed in 2003 with the mission of introducing physician innovation to improve healthcare.

About Hospira

Hospira, Inc. is a global specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company dedicated to Advancing Wellness(TM). As the world leader in specialty generic injectable pharmaceuticals, Hospira offers one of the broadest portfolios of generic acute-care and oncology injectables, as well as integrated infusion therapy and medication management solutions. Through its products, Hospira helps improve the safety, cost and productivity of patient care. The company is headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., and has more than 14,000 employees. Learn more at http://www.hospira.com/.

Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 — A Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Hospira cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect Hospira’s operations and may cause actual results to be materially different from expectations include the risks, uncertainties and factors discussed under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Hospira’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K, and Hospira’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and incorporated by reference. Hospira undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as the result of subsequent events or developments.

   (1) Van den Berghe G, et al. N Engl J Med 2006;354:449-61.   (2) Krinsley JS, et al. Crit Care Med 2007;35:2262-7.   (3) Van den Berghe G, et al. N Engl J Med 2001;345:1359-67.   (4) Inzucchi SE, et al. N Engl J Med 2006;355:1903-11.  

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040503/HSPLOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk, [email protected]

Hospira, Inc.

CONTACT: Media, Tareta Adams, +1-224-212-2535, or Financial Community,Karen King, +1-224-212-3323, both of Hospira, Inc.

Web site: http://www.hospira.com/

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ — AT First Diagnostic LLC an emerging worldwide marketing leader in rapid diagnostic test kits, today announced that a recent evaluation conducted by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research of the FirstVue(TM) HBSAG Test, was released at the Advanced Technology Applications for Combat Casualty Care meeting, sponsored by the Department of Defense. The purpose of the evaluation, entitled “Laboratory Evaluation of Hepatitis B Rapid Test for Use in Screening Walking Blood Bank Donors,” was to determine the best rapid HBSAG test to use for screening blood donors for Hepatitis B (“HBSAG”) in the theater of war. The FirstVue(TM) HBSAG test was selected as the preferred test based on all facets of the study evaluation.

Out of all manufactures in the rapid diagnostic industry, six rapid tests were initially selected based on an evaluation of published claims and sensitivity testing using HBSAG positive samples. Those tests were then compared in a comprehensive evaluation of test performance using plasma and blood specimens. The study indicated that the FirstVue(TM) HBSAG test had the highest sensitivity (95.4%) and the highest specificity (99.7%) among all the tests evaluated. In addition, the evaluation indicated that the FirstVue(TM) HBSAG test detected HBSAG antibodies approximately three days sooner than available laboratory-based enzyme immunoassays. Early detection of seroconversion is an important measure of the sensitivity of a test and means that Hepatitis B infection can now be identified even with relatively recent exposure.

“We are very pleased with the results of the Walter Reed evaluation, it’s just another confirmation of the quality of our product line and of the HBSAG rapid test we are providing the military,” said Jonathan Barash President of AT First Diagnostic. “We are eager to complete our paperwork for the FirstVue(TM) HBSAG test and submit our findings and applications for both FDA and CE registrations on this product. Based on the performance data generated to date, we believe this test will play an important role in identifying HBSAG infections in the future and will enable infected individuals to receive the proper care and treatment they need.”

This extensive study was conducted at The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and involved investigators from the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Division of Retrovirology, The U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Division of Military Casualty Research, the U.S. Army Blood Program, the Army Medical Department Center and School, the Robertson Blood Center and the American Red Cross.

Rapid Hepatitis “B” or “C” tests are not currently available for commercial sale in the United States by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”). AT First Diagnostic is in the process of collecting all the technical data together in order to obtain FDA guidance and approvals for this HBSAG test utilizing multiple specimen types, whole blood, plasma and serum. The data stage is nearing completion and a pre-market application will be in progress for submission to the FDA soon.

Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus. It is a major global health issue and the most serious type of viral hepatitis. It can cause chronic liver disease and puts people at high risk of death from cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer.

Approximately 2 billion people worldwide have been infected with the virus and about 350 million live with chronic infection. About 25% of adults who become chronically infected during childhood later die from liver cancer or cirrhosis (scarring of the liver). Hepatitis B virus is 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV. Most people who develop chronic Hepatitis B infection are not aware that they have the disease.

About AT First Diagnostic LLC

AT First Diagnostic LLC, Coral Springs, FL USA (Privately Held) markets, develops, and contract manufactures rapid medical devices using proprietary technologies under their brands FirstVue(TM) & inSTIcheck(TM); products include a wide range of various infectious disease tests for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, etc… These tests are sold in the United States and internationally to clinical laboratories, hospitals, clinics, community organizations and other public health organizations, distributors, government agencies, physicians’ offices, and commercial and industrial entities. For more information please go to http://www.firstdiagnostic.com/ .

About the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research

Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) is the largest, most diverse and oldest laboratory in the US Army Medical Research and Material Command. It conducts research on a range of military relevant issues, including naturally occurring infectious diseases, combat casualty care operational health hazards. WRAIR is the Department of Defense’s lead agency for infectious disease research and a crucial source of research support for medical product development.

About the United States Military HIV Research Program

The U.S. Military HIV Research Program (USMHRP) is dedicated to, prevention, disease surveillance and care and treatment for HIV. USMHRP’s extensive diagnostics expertise including familiarity with HIV rapid tests led the U.S. Army Blood Program to engage with USMHRP for this HBSAG rapid test evaluation.

Important Information

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including with respect to products, product performance, clinical studies, and regulatory submissions and approvals. Although forward-looking statements help to provide complete information about future prospects, readers should keep in mind that forward-looking statements may not be reliable. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and AT First Diagnostic undertakes no duty to update these statements.

AT First Diagnostic LLC

CONTACT: Jonathan Barash of AT First Diagnostic LLC, +1-954-369-1811,[email protected]

Web site: http://www.firstdiagnostic.com/

Greater Newport Physicians (GNP) and Edinger Medical Group have been ranked in the top 20 percent of California practice groups by the Integrated Healthcare Association (IHA). GNP is the only independent physician association recognized in Orange County, with 500 primary care and specialty physicians providing medical services to residents for the last 23 years. Edinger Medical Group (EMG), an affiliate of Greater Newport Physicians, was ranked the top medical group in Orange County. EMG is a physician-owned group of 17 doctors that has provided medical services to residents in Orange County for more than 45 years.

The rankings are based on outstanding performance on important clinical quality measures, including preventive care and chronic care management, patient satisfaction, and use of information technology to support safer care.

“We are very proud that both GNP and Edinger have been recognized by the Integrated Healthcare Association,” said Diane Laird, CEO of Greater Newport Physicians. “Providing quality medical care to patients is the mission of GNP physicians, and we are honored to be recognized for our success in these areas. Our industry-leading electronic medical records initiative also helps to dramatically improve both care and convenience for our patients and their doctors.”

GNP’s physicians have consistently received an average 97 percent satisfaction rating from its members for the personalized, private-practice style health care services they offer.

In addition to quality care, GNP also offers great flexibility in choices for various member needs. Whether it is a large medical group, a one-physician office, an all-female group or physicians who can speak different languages, GNP offers something for every member.

GNP is affiliated with two award-winning hospitals, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, selected as the #1 hospital in Orange County for the past 13 years, and Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center.

Each year, the IHA compares over 230 medical groups throughout California representing approximately 35,000 physicians who provide care for more than 11 million individuals, and includes some of the largest medical groups and university affiliated physician groups in the state.

“These top performing physician groups are outstanding examples of what organized physician groups can do as they implement policies and practices designed to produce better care and greater value for health care dollars.” said Don Crane, CEO of the California Association of Physician Groups.

About Greater Newport Physicians

Greater Newport Physicians is an independent practice association (IPA) established in 1985 by 50 doctors on staff at Hoag Hospital. Today GNP is associated with over 500 physicians who provide care to more than 100,000 Orange County residents. GNP members receive hospital services at Hoag Hospital and Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center – two award winning hospitals. Hoag Hospital is one of Orange County’s largest hospitals with 498 beds and rated #1 for 12 years in a row. For more information on GNP, visit www.gnpweb.com.

About Edinger Medical Group

For over 45 years, Edinger Medical Group has been dedicated to excellence in healthcare and to providing comprehensive healthcare to patients of all ages. As a physician-owned and managed practice, Edinger Medical Group is composed of 17 primary care physicians specializing in internal medicine, family practice and pediatrics. The group has been ranked as the number one private medical group in Orange County for four consecutive years. Out of 235 medical groups rated, Edinger Medical Group was the second highest ranked private medical group in California. Additional information can be found at www.edingermedicalgroup.com.

About IHA

IHA (www.iha.org) is a not-for-profit statewide collaborative leadership group of California health plans, physician groups, and health care systems — plus academic, consumer, purchaser, pharmaceutical and technology representatives — that promotes quality improvement, accountability, and affordability for the benefit of all California consumers through special projects, policy innovation, and education.

MENLO PARK, Calif., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ — Cantimer, Inc., a privately-held company developing and commercializing a proprietary sensor technology platform having application in life science, bio-defense, environmental testing, point-of-care diagnostics and home health markets, today announced that it has shipped ten alpha instruments for real-time, non-invasive assessment of human hydration to the U.S. Government’s Technical Support Working Group (TSWG; http://www.tswg.gov/). The units will be used for incident-scene assessment of dehydration in firefighters, and represent the second major deliverable under the previously-announced $996,000 contract awarded by TSWG to Cantimer in May 2008. Six prototypes were delivered on May 20th, 2008.

“Cantimer has come a long way in a very short period of time and we are very pleased to be taking delivery of these alpha instruments — on budget and on schedule,” said Dr. Christina Baxter, from TSWG. “The focus over the last several months has been on lab work that adds to the body of knowledge regarding salivary osmolality as a useful measure of human hydration or dehydration status. That work has gone very well. We are now looking forward to using these new devices for actual field testing in structural firefighting or search and rescue operations — with more of an emphasis on implementation, ergonomics and the user experience,” she added.

Maintaining an optimal level of hydration is a major health concern for firefighters and other emergency scene first responders. Progressive acute dehydration associated with physical exertion in heat-stressed environments significantly increases the risks of temperature-related health problems, with resulting losses of productivity and, in some cases, death. It has been shown that fluid losses of as little as 2% of total body weight (3.5 pounds in a normally 175 pound individual) can lead to noticeable compromises in physical and cognitive performance.

Dehydration and resulting temperature-related health problems among firefighters are preventable through adequate on-scene hydration management. Cantimer’s devices, incorporating the Company’s proprietary sensing technology, enable convenient, field-deployable, real-time measurement, and therefore management, of hydration status from an easily-obtained sample of saliva.

“The delivery of these prototypes is a significant milestone for us,” said Robin C. Stracey, President and CEO of Cantimer. “The collaboration between TSWG, Cantimer and the team at Skidmore College in New York that has conducted much of the recent lab work, has been outstanding. We look forward with enthusiasm to delivering beta units in the early part of next year and to fully commercializing the device thereafter,” he added.

Although easy to treat if identified early, dehydration is a pervasive condition that contributes to a large number of preventable hospitalizations in the U.S. every year. Cantimer believes that the availability of a hand-held device that aims to make it as easy to determine a person’s state of hydration as it is to take their body temperature will have significant benefits, not only for the health and safety of firefighters and other first-responders, but for military personnel, athletes at all levels, the elderly, the very young and those suffering from a wide range of common medical conditions, including asthma.

About Cantimer

Cantimer is a privately-held, development stage company commercializing a patented, proprietary sensor technology platform having application in life science, bio-defense, environmental testing, point-of-care diagnostics and home health markets. The Company’s first focus is on development and commercialization of point-of-care products for convenient, non-invasive, measurement and monitoring of human hydration status using saliva as a sample.

Cantimer, Inc.

CONTACT: Robin Stracey, Chief Executive Officer of Cantimer, Inc.,+1-650-474-0500, Ext. 320, Facsimile, +1-650-474-0599, [email protected]

Web site: http://www.cantimer.com/

PLAINSBORO, N.J., Oct. 13, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq:IART) announced today the introduction of the Luxtec(R) MLX 300W Xenon light source for use in surgical procedures, the latest addition to Luxtec’s extensive line of illumination systems. Integra will feature the Luxtec(R) MLX light source at the American College of Surgeons 94th Annual Clinical Congress, October 12-15, 2008, San Francisco, California.

The Luxtec(R) MLX 300W Xenon light source system has received 510(k) clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration to be marketed in the United States. The Luxtec(R) MLX 300W Xenon light source, along with a robust group of companion light sources, light guides and recording options, will be marketed globally through the Integra Surgical sales network.

The Luxtec(R) MLX light source is the culmination of many years of development and expertise. It provides an unprecedented 1,000 hour lamp warranty, an increase of over 50% from current technology. The Luxtec(R) MLX light system also provides new Smart Fan Technology, which enhances system cooling and improves unit performance. New touchpad controls offer surgeons unmatched repeatability and precision in light output on the surgical site. The Luxtec(R) MLX light source can accommodate most fiber optic surgical headlights.

Most surgical procedures require directed white light to visualize blood vessels, muscle tissue and specific anatomical features. Over 60,000 surgeons worldwide use Luxtec(R) light sources for optimal surgical site visualization.

“The MLX light source takes the Luxtec(R) surgical lighting products to new levels of brightness, control and operational cost savings, and will become the focus and centerpiece of Integra Surgical Illumination sales,” said Bob Perrett, President of the Integra Medical Instrument Group. “The quality and color correctness of this light is remarkable and differentiated from even higher powered units.”

Integra Surgical is a leading provider of Jarit(R) brand surgical instruments used in general surgery, neurosurgery, cardiac surgery and most other surgical modalities, as well as the Luxtec(R) illumination products produced in the USA at company-owned facilities. Integra Surgical’s direct selling effort in the United States involves more than 30 sales professionals, as well as a select group of high performing historical dealers. In international markets, Integra Surgical products are sold through a network of distributors. http://www.integra-surgical.com/

Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation, a world leader in regenerative medicine, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for patients through the development, manufacturing and marketing of cost-effective surgical implants and medical instruments. The company’s products are used to treat millions of patients every year, primarily in neurosurgery, extremity reconstruction, orthopedics and general surgery. Integra’s headquarters are in Plainsboro, New Jersey, and it has research and manufacturing facilities throughout the world. www.Integra-LS.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the future use of the Luxtec(R) MLX 300W Xenon light source. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from predicted or expected results. Among other things, the willingness of physicians to use this product may affect the prospects for its use in clinical procedures. In addition, the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors identified under the heading “Risk Factors” included in section IA of Integra’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and information contained in subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission could affect actual results.

IART-P

This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com

 CONTACT:  Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation           John B. Henneman, III, Executive Vice President, Finance             and Administration, and Chief Financial Officer             (609) 936-2481             [email protected]           Gianna Sabella, Public Relations Manager              (609) 936-2389             [email protected] 

Enterasys Networks Inc., the Secure Networks Company(TM), today announced that DJO, a global provider of medical devices that provide solutions for musculoskeletal health, vascular health and pain management, leverages Enterasys solutions to provide network connectivity and security with unparalleled service and support to more than 1,200 users and 1,000 devices across multiple locations. The Enterasys solution enables the company’s small IT staff to support mission-critical front-end and back-office enterprise applications and deploy Voice over IP (VoIP) and implement IP video surveillance — all while staying within network compliance guidelines of Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

DJO’s global business includes rigid and soft orthopedic bracing, hip, knee and shoulder reconstructive joint products, hot and cold therapy, bone growth stimulators, vascular systems, electrical stimulation for pain management and muscle strengthening and physical therapy products. Its locations include the company headquarters in Vista, Calif., as well as sales and distribution offices in several countries in Europe and a manufacturing facility in Mexico. As the company continues to expand, it was in need of a network restructuring that would optimize efficiency while supporting business-critical applications such as JD Edwards and Oracle.

“Prior to Enterasys, our network infrastructure included several legacy hardware systems brought together from multiple acquisitions and the old DJO,” explained John Iraci, Vice President Enterprise Infrastructure, DJO. “Over the years, new devices had been added at each predecessor company, which resulted in bottlenecks, and many core network appliances were at 80 percent of their capacity or more.”

Because of the company’s work in the medical field, its network falls under the governance of both the FDA and HIPAA as well as SOX guidelines. A streamlined, secure network was a necessity to service its customer base of hospitals, clinics and rehabilitation facilities around the globe.

“We evaluated a number of network vendors, including Cisco,” Iraci said. “From the very beginning, Enterasys demonstrated a clear understanding of our needs and our delivery timeline, and showed us the service and support that other vendors could not. Further, we were able to use Enterasys equipment in our multi-vendor environment with no problem, allowing us to maximize our investment in existing assets.”

Today, DJO’s fully optimized network consists of Enterasys Matrix(R) N-Series and Enterasys XSR(TM) Security Routers at the network core. Matrix N-Series flow-based switches offer granular visibility and control of individual voice, video, data applications and users. The XSRs anchor a virtual private network (VPN) that supports more than 10 DJO Offices worldwide. At the network edge, SecureStack(TM) C Series switches deliver cost-effective Layer 2 switching and IPv6 Layer 3 routing with embedded security support for 802.1x, Web and MAC authentication, RFC 3580 VLAN quarantine, and support for Secure Networks(TM) Policy. RoamAbout(R) wireless switches enable high-performance mobile computing indoors or outdoors without compromising the confidentiality, integrity or availability of information. Thanks to Enterasys NetSight(R) centralized visibility and control management software, a network systems staff of only one full-time and one part-time employee oversee the entire network of more than 2,000 users and devices. When auditors come knocking, Iraci says his staff is secure in knowing they have a compliance automation strategy based on the visibility provided by Enterasys.

“While we are very satisfied with the performance of Enterasys solutions, we are even more pleased with the personalized, high-touch service and support we’ve consistently received from the Enterasys team,” Iraci said. “Ultimately, that was what won and continues to keep our business. Not only do we save between 20 and 25 percent on total cost of ownership over other leading vendors, but we also have the security of knowing that any time we pick up the phone with a question or a concern, Enterasys will do whatever it takes to answer our questions or solve any problem — even those caused by other vendors’ equipment.”

About Enterasys Networks

Enterasys is part of a joint venture with Siemens Enterprise Communications led by The Gores Group, LLC. Enterasys delivers Secure Networks(TM) that ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of IT services and the business users that rely on them — without sacrificing performance. Thousands of enterprises, government agencies and educational institutions in more than 70 countries worldwide rely on our convergence, compliance and connectivity solutions to deliver business-oriented, identity-based visibility and control of individual user and application priority and security. The company’s culture is centered on the principle, “There is nothing more important than our customers.” Enterasys’ standards-based, open-architecture approach to network security offers a long technology lifecycle and significant operational and business benefits, while reducing total cost of ownership. Information about Enterasys’ award winning, policy-enabled switches, routers, wireless products, security software and services is available at www.enterasys.com.

About DJO, LLC

DJO is a leading global developer, manufacturer and distributor of high-quality medical devices that provide solutions for musculoskeletal health, vascular health and pain management. The Company’s products address the continuum of patient care from injury prevention to rehabilitation after surgery, injury or from degenerative disease. Our products are used by orthopedic specialists, spine surgeons, primary care physicians, pain management specialists, physical therapists, podiatrists, chiropractors, athletic trainers and other healthcare professionals. In addition, many of the Company’s medical devices and related accessories are used by athletes and patients for injury prevention and at-home physical therapy treatment. The Company’s product lines include rigid and soft orthopedic bracing, hot and cold therapy, bone growth stimulators, vascular systems, electrical stimulators used for pain management and physical therapy products. The Company’s surgical division offers a comprehensive suite of reconstructive joint products for the hip, knee and shoulder. DJO’s products are marketed under the brands Aircast(R), DonJoy(R), ProCare(R), CMF(TM), Empi(R), Saunders(R), Chattanooga Group(TM), DJO Surgical, Cefar(R)-Compex(R) and Ormed(R). For additional information on the Company, please visit www.DJOglobal.com.

About The Gores Group

The Gores Group, LLC, founded in 1987, is a private equity firm focused on acquiring controlling interests in mature and growing businesses which can benefit from the firm’s operating experience and flexible capital base. The firm combines the operational expertise and detailed due diligence capabilities of a strategic buyer with the seasoned M&A team of a traditional financial buyer. The Gores Group maintains offices in Los Angeles, Boulder and London. For more information, please visit www.gores.com.

About Tennenbaum Capital Partners, LLC

Tennenbaum Capital Partners is a Santa Monica, California-based private investment firm managing over $7 billion in committed capital in private funds. The firm’s investment strategy is grounded in a long-term, value approach, and it assists — both financially and operationally — transitional middle market companies in such industries as technology, healthcare, energy, aerospace, business services, retail and general manufacturing. Tennenbaum’s core strengths include in-depth knowledge of equity and debt financing vehicles in the public and private markets, as well as a thorough understanding of special situations. For more information, please visit www.tennenbaumcapital.com.

 Contact:  Trent Waterhouse Enterasys Networks +1 978 684 1506 [email protected]  Michelle Barry BridgeView Marketing +1 603 809 2748 [email protected]

SOURCE: Enterasys

UPPSALA, Sweden and WAUKESHA, Wisconsin, October 13 /PRNewswire/ — Radi Medical Systems AB and GE Healthcare announced today a development; marketing and sales initiative to integrate Radi Medical Systems AB (Radi) groundbreaking wireless PressureWire(R) Aeris and Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) technology into GE’s Mac-Lab(R) IT hemodynamic recording system.

This agreement defines the terms of a development that will bring together GE’s proven Mac-Lab IT with first of its kind wireless measurement of FFR from Radi, seamlessly integrating measurement of FFR into the cathlab workflow and with all procedural results stored into existing data archives. The initiative will also provide an upgrade path for GE Mac-Lab IT customers to add this functionality to their existing systems.

“Traditionally, FFR assessment required additional capital equipment and increased procedure time due to setup operations.” commented Dr. Jasvindar Singh, Associate Professor of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine, Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO. “With FFR fully integrated into our GE Mac-Lab IT, I’ll be able to make the best treatment options immediately available to my patients using equipment we already have, without any installation of additional instrumentation, screens or controls. Additionally, the wireless technology of PressureWire(R) Aeris removes cables crossing the sterile field barrier, making the entire procedure faster and easier.”

The cooperation will enable the option of upgrading to wireless measurement and integrated FFR on all existing and new GE Mac-Lab IT installations.

“Combining the strength of GE’s Mac-Lab hemodynamic recording system with the performance of Radi’s Pressurewire(R) Aeris in the assessment of FFR has great clinical potential,” said Pascale Witz, vice president of GE Healthcare’s Interventional Cardiology business. “We’re pleased to enter into a relationship that expands the clinical capabilities of our systems with new possibilities.”

“The incorporation of FFR and PressureWire(R) Aeris into GE Mac-Lab IT is a major advancement as FFR becomes the standard of care in the interventional cathlab. With FFR available directly in the existing hemodynamic recording system the need for additional equipment is removed and the procedure setup is reduced to the flick of a switch,” commented Anders Qvarnstrom, COO, Radi Medical Systems AB. “FFR is a crucial clinical tool for the interventional cardiologist, guiding the PCI procedure for improved patient outcomes and lowered cost. With the introduction of our innovative wireless PressureWire(R) Aeris and the cooperation with GE, the market leader in hemodynamic recording systems, we can make this tool readily available in a large number of cathlabs worldwide. The ultimate benefactor of this cooperation will be the patient.”

About Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR)

Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) is an index for functional severity of coronary stenosis, measured by PressureWire(R) Aeris. FFR is 100% specific in identifying which lesion or lesions are responsible for a patient’s ischemia, enabling the interventional cardiologist’s direction of coronary interventions and result assessment for improved treatment outcomes. The results of the latest landmark study to demonstrate the clinical value of FFR, FAME, will be presented at the Late Breaking Clinical Trials session, TCT, October 14, 2008.

About Radi Medical Systems AB

Radi Medical Systems AB develops, manufactures and sells medical devices designed to improve patient care. The company’s pioneering work in the field of interventional cardiology has resulted in market-leading intravascular sensors and hemostasis management and radiology devices. Radi works closely with medical practitioners to develop solutions that address clinical needs, as well as provide clinical education support. Founded in 1988, Radi employs more than 380 people globally and has representation in more than 60 countries. The company is based in Uppsala, Sweden, and maintains a U.S. headquarters in Wilmington, Mass. For more information, visit http://www.radi.se/.

About GE Healthcare

GE Healthcare provides transformational medical technologies and services that are shaping a new age of patient care. Our expertise in medical imaging and information technologies, medical diagnostics, patient monitoring systems, performance improvement, drug discovery, and biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies is helping clinicians around the world re-imagine new ways to predict, diagnose, inform, treat and monitor disease, so patients can live their lives to the fullest.

GE Healthcare’s broad range of products and services enable healthcare providers to better diagnose and treat cancer, heart disease, neurological diseases and other conditions earlier. Our vision for the future is to enable a new “early health” model of care focused on earlier diagnosis, pre-symptomatic disease detection and disease prevention. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, GE Healthcare is a $17 billion unit of General Electric Company . Worldwide, GE Healthcare employs more than 46,000 people committed to serving healthcare professionals and their patients in more than 100 countries. For more information about GE Healthcare, visit our website at http://www.gehealthcare.com/.

Radi Medical Systems AB

CONTACT: Media Contacts: Iohn Ryott, Radi Medical Systems AB,+46-18-161055, [email protected]. Jason Rudy, Radi Medical Systems Inc.,+1-877-337-7234 x828, [email protected]

Heritage Pharmaceuticals, a generic pharmaceutical company, has announced the immediate availability of propranolol HCl oral tablets in 10, 20, 40, 60 and 80mg strength.

Propranolol tablets are the generic equivalent of Inderal tablets formerly marketed by Wyeth.

Propranolol has multiple cardiovascular related indications, including the management of hypertension, treatment of angina and atrial fibrillation.

Heritage’s development and manufacturing partner, Ipca Laboratories, received final approval of its abbreviated new drug application for an AB-rated equivalent of Inderal in June 2008.

Jeffrey Glazer, president and CEO of Heritage, said: “The launch of propranolol represents the first vertically integrated product from our strategic alliance with Ipca and will enable us to leverage the economies of scale of products made abroad while continuing to provide customers with high quality, cost-efficient generic pharmaceutical products. We are pleased with the strength of Ipca’s development and manufacturing expertise and look forward to growing our product portfolio over 2008-09.”

GUANGZHOU, China, Oct. 13 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ — China Medicine Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: CHME; “China Medicine” or “the Company”), a leading distributor and developer of prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, traditional Chinese medicines (“TCM”), nutritional and dietary supplements, medical devices, and medical formulations in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), through its wholly-owned U.S subsidiary, Konzern U.S Holding Corporation, announced today that it will participate in the 2008 Natural Products Expo East tradeshow, where it will showcase its new weight loss product called “Bethin.” The tradeshow will be held Oct. 15th to Oct. 18th at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in Massachusetts. Over 25,000 natural, organic, and health products industry members will participate in this event.

China Medicine’s proprietary weight loss product, Bethin, is a food supplement that is designed to promote and adjust fat metabolism, reduce the storage of fat in the body, and prolong endurance during physical exercise. Bethin’s active ingredients include L-Carnitine, a special amino acid manufactured by the human body that is essential for the production of energy, and Hydroxycitric acid (HCA), an extract from the fruit of the Garcinia cambogia plant. The Company has filed and obtained all the necessary documentation to launch the new product in the United States.

“We are looking forward to taking part in the upcoming Natural Products Expo East tradeshow in Boston,” said Mr. Senshan Yang, Chairman and CEO of China Medicine. “We anticipate that the introduction of Bethin, our first product sold in U. S. market, will increase our visibility, highlight the benefits of our new product, and allow us to gain a foothold in the international market.”

The Company will be exhibiting its product in booth #240. For more information on the tradeshow, please click http://www.expoeast.com/ .

About China Medicine Corporation

China Medicine Corporation is a leading pharmaceutical company which discovers and develops medical formulations and distributes over 2,200 pharmaceutical products in China including prescription and over the counter (“OTC”) drugs, traditional Chinese medicine products, herbs and dietary-supplements. The Company distributes the products to wholesale distributors in 28 provinces, more than 300 hospitals, 500 medicine companies, and 1,788 drug stores throughout China. The Company actively develops a number of proprietary products for many uses including oncology, high blood pressure and the removal of toxins from food and animal feed. For more information visit the Company’s website at http://www.chinamedicinecorp.com/ .

Cautionary 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, the expected contribution of higher margin 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 statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

   For further information, please contact:    China Medicine Corp    Ms. Huizhen Yu    CFO    Tel:   +86-20-8739-1718    Email: [email protected]     Mr. Crocker Coulson    President    CCG InvestorRelations Inc.    Tel:   +1-646-213-1915    Email: [email protected]  

China Medicine Corporation

CONTACT: Ms. Huizhen Yu, CFO of China Medicine Corp, +86-20-8739-1718, [email protected]; Or Mr. Crocker Coulson, President of CCG InvestorRelationsInc., +1-646-213-1915, or [email protected]

BOTHELL, WA and VANCOUVER, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals Inc. today announced that it concluded a meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on October 7, 2008, and that the FDA agreed that “durable pain palliation is an acceptable and desirable study endpoint” to support a product marketing approval for OGX-011 as a treatment for hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). In addition, OncoGenex reported that the FDA provided guidance on the submitted protocol including recommendations on study endpoints, the appropriate patient population, entry criteria and study conduct. The company plans to revise and submit the protocol for completing a Special Protocol Assessment with the FDA prior to initiating the registration trial.

Based on the results of this meeting, the Board of Directors of OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals has approved the release of 25% (347,207) of the shares held in escrow pursuant to agreements related to Sonus Pharmaceuticals’ merger with OncoGenex Technologies described in its Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on July 3, 2008. The escrow agreements provided for the release of 25% of the shares held in escrow following the occurrence of a meeting with the FDA to confirm that pain palliation is an appropriate primary endpoint to support a product marketing approval in prostate cancer. A total of 694,431 milestone shares remain in escrow.

“Our data combining OGX-011 with second line chemotherapy in patients with HRPC has shown potential improvement in both pain palliation and survival. On July 14, 2008, OncoGenex announced that the company successfully completed an SPA with the FDA on the design of another Phase 3 registration trial of OGX-011 targeting overall survival as a primary endpoint for the treatment of HRPC,” said Scott Cormack, President and CEO of OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals. “Obtaining FDA’s agreement that pain palliation is an appropriate primary endpoint to support product approval in prostate cancer and receiving FDA’s guidance on trial designs is essential to our plans to pursue development of OGX-011 using appropriate primary endpoints such as pain palliation and survival.”

This planned registration trial to evaluate pain palliation is based on encouraging preliminary data from a Phase 2 study in HRPC indicating that OGX-011 treatment may result in durable pain palliation. These Phase 2 data were presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and reported in a previous press release on June 2, 2008. In summary, the Phase 2 study included 42 patients with HRPC who had received first-line docetaxel therapy and required second-line chemotherapy. While follow up on surviving patients is still ongoing, preliminary findings related to pain palliation reported reductions in pain or analgesic use in approximately 50% of evaluable patients treated with either mitoxantrone plus OGX-011 or retreated with docetaxel plus OGX-011. These data are better than expected when compared to the 22-35% of patients receiving first-line chemotherapy who reported a reduction in pain in the primary Phase 3 study resulting in the approval of docetaxel (TAX 327 study) that was published in the October 7th, 2004 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

About OGX-011

OGX-011, also known as custirsen sodium, is designed to block production of clusterin, a cell survival protein that is over-produced in several cancer indications and in response to many cancer treatments, including hormone ablation therapy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Increased clusterin production is observed in many human cancers, including prostate, non-small cell lung, breast, ovarian, bladder, renal, pancreatic, anaplastic large cell lymphoma and colon cancers and melanoma. Increased clusterin production is linked to faster rates of cancer progression, treatment resistance and shorter survival duration. OGX-011 is being evaluated in five Phase 2 clinical trials, each of which has completed patient enrollment. Interim study results have previously been presented for each of the five clinical trials.

About OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals

OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company committed to the development and commercialization of new cancer therapies that address unmet needs in the treatment of cancer. OncoGenex has a deep oncology pipeline, with each product candidate having a distinct mechanism of action and representing a unique opportunity for cancer drug development. OGX-011, the lead candidate currently completing five Phase 2 clinical studies in prostate, lung and breast cancers, is designed to inhibit the production of a specific protein associated with treatment resistance; OGX-427 and SN2310 are in Phase 1 clinical development; and CSP-9222 and OGX-225 are currently in pre-clinical development. More information is available at http://www.oncogenex.com/.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements concerning agreements with the FDA regarding endpoints and clinical trial design and anticipated clinical and other product development activities and timing of these activities. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. For example, statements of the Company’s ability to gain FDA agreement on protocol design and time frames to do so, the strength of the combined oncology product pipeline, the timing of clinical trials and development efforts and the results of clinical and pre-clinical studies are all forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, the possibility that an agreement with FDA cannot be reached regarding a clinical trial using pain as the primary endpoint for OGX-011, the timing and costs of clinical trials and regulatory approvals, risks that clinical trials will not be successful or confirm earlier clinical trial results, risks associated with obtaining funding from third parties or completing a financing necessary to support the costs and expenses of clinical studies as well as research and development activities, as well as other risks relating to the development, safety and efficacy of therapeutic drugs and potential applications for these products. A more complete discussion of risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2007, and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of 2008. No assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what impact they will have on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company. The Company undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained herein or to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof.

OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

CONTACT: OncoGenex Contact: Scott Cormack, President & CEO, (604)630-5400, [email protected]; Media and Investor Contact: Megan Lavine,Porter Novelli Life Sciences, (619) 849-5388, [email protected]

GTx, Inc. (NASDAQ: GTXI) today announced topline results of a Phase II clinical trial evaluating Ostarine(TM) (MK-2866), an investigational selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), in patients with cancer induced muscle loss, also known as cancer cachexia. In this analysis, the study met its primary endpoint of absolute change in total lean body mass (muscle) compared to placebo and the secondary endpoint of muscle function (performance) after 16 weeks of treatment. GTx and Merck & Co., Inc. are collaborating to develop Ostarine and other SARMs, which are a new class of drugs with the potential to treat sarcopenia, which is the loss of skeletal muscle mass resulting in reduced physical strength and ability to perform activities of daily living, cancer cachexia, and other musculoskeletal conditions.

GTx plans to present complete study results at an upcoming scientific meeting in 2009.

“Cachexia continues to represent one of the most devastating features of cancer,” said an investigator in the Phase II clinical trial, Adrian Dobs, MD, MHS, Professor of Medicine and Oncology and Vice Chair of the Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “This study provided encouraging evidence for using Ostarine to treat patients with cancer cachexia by increasing lean body mass and improving functional performance.”

The clinical trial enrolled 159 cancer patients (average age of 66 years) with non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or breast cancer at 35 sites in the US and Argentina. Participants were randomized to receive placebo, 1 mg or 3 mg oral capsule of Ostarine once daily for 16 weeks. Average reported weight loss prior to entry among all subjects was 8.8 percent. Subjects were allowed to have standard chemotherapy during the trial. The drop out rate during the trial was 33 percent, lower than the expected 50 percent rate which has been observed in other cancer supportive care clinical trials.

The primary endpoint of the study was lean body mass measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan. A prespecified analysis was comparison of treatment arms with placebo using the exact Wilcoxon rank sum test stratified by cancer type in patients with DEXA scans performed at baseline and at the end of the study. Topline results show that Ostarine treatment resulted in a statistically significant increase in lean body mass compared to placebo. Ostarine treatment resulted in clinically meaningful increases (greater than 1 kg) in lean body mass compared to baseline in both the Ostarine 1 mg and 3 mg treatment arms.

Topline results also show that Ostarine treatment improved muscle function (performance) in a 12 step stair climb test measuring speed and calculating power, a secondary endpoint of the study. No improvement in speed or power was observed for the placebo group. There were no improvements in the endpoints of grip strength and gait speed.

The incidence of serious adverse events, deaths and tumor progression were similar among placebo and the treatment arms. The most common side effects reported among all subjects in the trial were fatigue, anemia, nausea, and diarrhea. Changes in alanine amino transferase (ALT), a marker of liver function, greater than twice the upper limit of normal were observed in two patients in the placebo, Ostarine 1 mg and Ostarine 3 mg cohorts. No subjects discontinued treatment as a result of ALT changes.

“We are excited that Ostarine met the primary endpoint of the Phase II cancer cachexia clinical trial,” said Mitchell S. Steiner, MD, CEO of GTx. “Even with the background of a heterogeneous cancer population, cancer induced inflammation, and chemotherapy, the changes compared to placebo in lean body mass and stair climb performance observed in this study are similar in magnitude to the changes observed in the earlier Ostarine Phase II proof of concept sarcopenia clinical trial. We are looking forward to continuing our work with Merck on the future development of Ostarine and other SARMs.”

“We are committed to moving forward with our program on SARMs and look forward to continuing our work with GTx,” said Alan B. Ezekowitz, MBChB, D.Phil., senior vice president and franchise head, Bone, Respiratory, Immunology, and Endocrine, Merck Research Laboratories.

About cancer cachexia

Cancer induced muscle loss occurs in about 50 percent of cancer patients and may lead to loss of protein stores, severe weakness and fatigue, immobility, loss of independence, and an inability to tolerate and respond to cancer treatments. Cancer induced muscle wasting is responsible for at least 20 percent of cancer deaths. There are no drugs currently approved for the treatment of cancer wasting.

About GTx

GTx, Inc., headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of small molecules that selectively target hormone pathways to treat cancer, osteoporosis and bone loss, muscle wasting and other serious medical conditions. GTx is developing toremifene citrate, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, or SERM, in two separate clinical programs in men: first, a completed pivotal Phase III clinical trial evaluating toremifene 80 mg for the treatment of estrogen deficiency side effects of androgen deprivation therapy for advanced prostate cancer, and second, an ongoing pivotal Phase III clinical trial evaluating toremifene 20 mg for the prevention of prostate cancer in high risk men with high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, or PIN.

In 2006, GTx and Ipsen Group entered into a development and collaboration agreement for toremifene citrate in all indications except breast cancer for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). GTx will file for marketing approval and, if approved, plans to commercialize toremifene 80 mg in the United States.

In December 2007, GTx and Merck & Co., Inc. formed a collaboration to discover and develop selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), a new class of drugs with the potential to treat sarcopenia, which is the loss of skeletal muscle mass resulting in reduced physical strength and ability to perform activities of daily living, cancer cachexia (muscle wasting), as well as other musculoskeletal conditions. Merck and GTx are conducting several Phase I and Phase II clinical trials evaluating multiple SARM product candidates including Ostarine(TM) (also designated as MK-2866) for sarcopenia. Merck and GTx are evaluating additional muscle loss indications for potential SARM clinical development.

GTx also is developing its preclinical compounds, GTx-758, an oral LH inhibitor for advanced prostate cancer, and GTx-878, an estrogen receptor beta agonist for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and chronic prostatitis.

Forward-Looking Information is Subject to Risk and Uncertainty

This press release contains forward-looking statements based upon GTx’s current expectations. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. GTx’s actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, the risks that (i) GTx and its collaboration partners will not be able to commercialize their product candidates if clinical trials do not demonstrate safety and efficacy in humans; (ii) GTx may not able to obtain required regulatory approvals to commercialize product candidates; (iii) clinical trials being conducted by GTx and its collaboration partners may not be completed on schedule, or at all, or may otherwise be suspended or terminated; and (iv) GTx could utilize its available cash resources sooner than it currently expects and may be unable to raise capital when needed, which would force GTx to delay, reduce or eliminate its product development programs or commercialization efforts. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this press release. GTx’s annual report on Form 10-K filed March 11, 2008, and its most recent Form 10-Q filed August 5, 2008, contain under the heading, “Risk Factors,” a more comprehensive description of these and other risks to which GTx is subject. GTx expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.

By Jarrett, Linda F

Downtown dwellers and workers will soon have a convenient place to go for medical help, instead of trekking west.

When he saw the historic Truman Building at 916 Olive St. sitting empty, Dr. Sonny Saggar saw the perfect place for an urgent care facility. He purchased it for $1.1 million, and will spend $2 million to convert 4,000 square feet on the ground floor into the Downtown Health and Wellness Center.

Saggar, who currently works as an emergency room physician at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield, Mo., says a facility such as this was sorely needed downtown.

“They say ‘If you build it, they will come.’ But, in this case, they’re already there,” he says. “There are 20,000 people who decided to live downtown and 9,000 people work there. Can you imagine the turbo boost when Schnucks opens and my urgent care follows? Two of the main obstacles were no grocery stores and no doctors. So, if you can address those two, will you move down here?”

Opportunity Knocks

Saggar had been taking notes about how he would manage a center, should the opportunity arise

“I was looking at many locations, and downtown appealed to me,” he says. “When I heard Schnucks was planning to move in at 9th and Olive, and this building was for sale, it was a no-brainer.”

Some told him it would be a good location for a restaurant.

“I said, ‘No, it would be a good urgent care center. It was beckoning me to open!” he says.

The fact that Schnucks was opening later this year or early next year, and that it would have the downtown’s only pharmacy made Saggar more determined to place a center in this location.

A major obstacle was cleared away a couple of months ago when City Treasurer Larry Williams approved taking out two parking meters clearing the way for an ambulance bay at the center.

“We needed that to transport patients to a hospital, if necessary,” Saggar says.

“We’re grateful to him for allowing that to happen. His office saw that need and very quickly approved removing the meters.”

At the St. Luke’s Emergency Room, Saggar sees many patients with a 63101 area code, because there are no urgent care centers near the downtown area. “They’re traveling 45 minutes to an hour out of the city to be seen for half an hour, and then go back.”

Others, he says, come by cab from other emergency rooms closer to the city. “When they get there, they see that they’re overflowing, so they come out here. There’s a huge unmet demand for acute care for minor injuries and ailments in the downtown area.

“The demographics and market analysis say we’ll be seeing upwards of 100 patients a day,” he says. “But, in terms of revenue, I’m anticipating 25 people a day, at least at first.”

Saggar knows that the first six months to a year will be a learning process. He plans on being open from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and weekends noon until 5 p.m.

“Eventually, we want to be open 12 hours a day, seven days a week,” he says.

“We’ll be putting out surveys and taking suggestions from patients and neighboring businesses. If we open the door and find 20 people standing there, that’s a clue. By the same token, we will get an idea if there are people still in the waiting room at closing time.” The office will have eight exam rooms with one physician, one nurse and one medical assistant who will do basic lab work and x- rays.

For more extensive testing such as CAT scans or MRIs, or if their condition is assessed as “life threatening,” patients will be sent to the nearest hospital.

“If one of our intentions is to relieve ER overcrowding, we don’t want to add to it,” Saggar says. “If patients need to be admitted, we can bypass the emergency room, and they can get care from their own doctor.”

St. Louis Via London

Saggar grew up in London, England, and got his medical degree from the University of London. He came to St. Louis as part of an exchange program with St. Luke’s, who offered him a job.

“I didn’t take it, because I didn’t know if I wanted to move here, but I kept it in the back of my mind as an option,” he says.

After traveling around for a couple of years, Saggar says he called St. Luke’s and asked if the job was still available.

“After traveling the world, I found that I liked St. Louis quite a bit,” he says. “It’s like New York, London and Chicago without the big city negatives. There are a lot of progressive and conservative people, simultaneously, and they have a healthy blending of science and technology without surrendering their traditional values.”

Saggar’s enthusiasm for his new venture extends beyond his own planned center. He hopes to fill the building with health professionals and health-related practices such as a dentist, pediatrician and family practice group.

He already has one tenant for the basement, a boxing gym that should prove attractive to some downtown health aficionados.

Making it Affordable

He also wants to have an arrangement with downtown business to make it financially easier for employees to come to the center.

“We are actively seeking grants for the unfortunate category of people which I define as not poor enough for Medicaid,” he says. “They have the pride to keep their jobs, not claiming welfare for free medical insurance.”

Patients falling into that category will fill out an application, and while they will still have to pay the copay, should they meet the criteria, they will be reimbursed for the copay and treatment.

“We went into this business to help people,” Saggar says. “I do not want to refuse to see any human being.”

He has no problem with criticisms of some primary care physicians who say urgent care centers do not provide continuity.

“I’m planning on having an internal medicine practice here also, and you can come back and see me,” Saggar says. “My practice will be a subsidiary of the urgent care center. Patients will have a reduced or subsidized copay.

They Will Come

Raineri Conceptions is handling the general construction work.

“In my opinion, the whole movement itself is pretty significant for the growth of downtown,” President Tony Raineri says. “The biggest complaint of residents was that there were no amenities downtown. You have to have groceries and you have to go to the doctor, now there is the Wellness Center and Schnucks.”

He says the building has a high ceiling; so they plan to build a mezzanine that will eventually have more space should Saggar decide to expand.

Saggar has no doubts that his Center will be a success.

“This is a recession-proof industry,” he says. “People will get sick and they will hurt themselves.”

Copyright St. Louis Region Commerce and Growth Association Sep 2008

(c) 2008 St. Louis Commerce Magazine. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

By Reinhardt, Eric

DeWITT – Nearly a century after it was founded, Menorah Park Senior Living Community, at 4101 E. Genesee St. in DeWitt, is raising funding for an expansion and renovation project providing additional services on its senior living campus.

The Foundation at Menorah Park, the fundraising arm of the facility formerly known as the Jewish Home of Central New York, has received a $1 million challenge grant from the Sam Pomeranz Trust and Abraham Shankman Family Charitable Trust.

The funding is called a challenge grant because the foundation is required to raise a $1 million match in order to receive the money.

The grant will be directed toward an Enhanced Special Care Unit/ Palliative Care, an upcoming Center for Outpatient Rehabilitation and Innovative Therapies, renovations at the Ahavath Achim Apartments, and landscape work.

Menorah Park has been a provider of long-term care since the Jewish community founded the organization in 1912, says CEO Mary Ellen Bloodgood. But she believes the baby boomers using its services in the next five to 10 years will be looking at the organization from a different perspective.

“They’re going to be healthier. They’re going to be more active, and we want to make sure that some of the programs that we’re doing, like the wellness programs and the outpatient therapy really provide that level of care,” says Bloodgood.

The Enhanced Special Care Unit/Palliative Care is intended to enhance the quality of life for patients with serious illness or nearing the end of life. Renovations with costs totaling $750,000 are transforming the east wing of the 1950s building, and the new facility is expected to open this fall.

The Center for Outpatient Rehabilitation and Innovative Therapies will include aerobic exercise and weight-training programs with equipment designed for the elder population.

“We want to be able to provide some of the alternative and holistic types of therapies, which include tai chi, yoga, some herbal supplements,” says Bloodgood, noting those treatments aren’t what people would expect from a long-term care facility.

Innovative therapies include exercises for motor control and coordination, strength and range of motion, as well as newer treatment approaches, such as constraint-induced therapy, which forces a stroke patient to use the affected side of the body by restraining the unaffected side.

In addition, robotic therapy is designed to help stroke victims to regain strength and normal use of their hands.

Equipment for the 5,000-square-foot Center for Outpatient Rehabilitation and Innovative Therapies, which should open by 2010, will cost at least $500,000. Bloodgood hopes for approval from the New York State Department of Health within 12 months. Zausmer, Frisch, Scruton & Aggarwal of Syracuse is designing and constructing the center, says Bloodgood.

The center will be housed in the Commons at Menorah Park, a senior wellness and education center. The cost for the 20,000- square-foot Commons is an estimated $3 million. Plans call for the clubhouse-style facility to include a computer room, health promotion services, a cafe, and cultural events

Putting on a fresh face

Plans also call for $75,000 in renovation work at the Ahavath Achim Apartments, a 5,000-square-foot facility that serves 11 residents who pay a monthly rent between $500 and $600. Work on the facade is already under way, says Bloodgood.

“With a 1935 building, we’re constantly running into retrofitting and making something that was old look newer, so the renovations will be more from an aesthetic perspective,” she says.

The improvements will also include a new entry porch and an upgraded emergency lighting and fire alarm system.

Besides the renovation work, landscaping work is also planned, including gardening, an enclosed greenhouse, and memory gardens to help seniors with Alzheimer’s and related dementias, along with walking trails and pathways.

The Foundation at Menorah Park received the $1 million challenge grant at the end of 2007, says Jill Allen, director of development.

“We’ve been working on trying to go public with it and raising the matching million,” she says, noting approximately $200,000 has already been raised.

Allen says anyone in the community can make a pledge to the major gifts campaign, which has a goal of raising $6 million.

Even though the foundation is required to raise matching funds to receive the challenge grant, the Pomeranz and Shankman trusts have already donated $200,000 of the $1 million total for work on the Enhanced Special Care Unit/Palliative Care project, with the expectation the foundation will raise the matching funds.

“If they don’t raise it, they better give it back,” says attorney Sheldon Kall, a partner in Kall and Reilly, LLP, who along with his wife, Matelee, is a trustee of the Pomeranz and Shankman trusts.

He says both Samuel Pomeranz and Abraham Shankman were residents of Menorah Park. Pomeranz owned and operated Robert’s Shoe Store on East Genesee Street and was a successful real estate and equities investor. Shankman served as an accountant and tax adviser to Pomeranz.

Never too late to donate

Pomeranz died in 2001, and Kall says Pomeranz didn’t think he had donated enough money to charity during his lifetime, so he created the trust. He had appointed Shankman and Kall as co-trustees to oversee the assets. Kall says Shankman had similar feelings about his charitable giving, and he appointed the Kalls as co-trustees of the Abraham Shankman Family Charitable Trust prior to his death in January 2006.

Kall points out that Shankman had preferred his money be donated to Jewish charities, but non-Jewish charities could also benefit, if the trustees felt it was the proper course of action.

“My wife and I determined that we wanted to give the assets away so they can be used throughout the entire community, not just the Jewish community,” Kall says.

The 36-acre campus of Menorah Park encompasses a total of 150,000 square feet and serves 300 residents per day.

Rothschild Adult Day Services is a medical day-care program serving the health-care needs of 35 residents from an 1,800-square- foot facility.

The Oaks at Menorah Park retirement community serves 50 residents in its 40,000-square-foot facility on campus. The 35,000-square- foot Sam Pomeranz Assisted Living Residence serves 53 residents with physical and memory impairments.

In addition, four people live in the 2,500-square-foot Menorah Park Group Residence, and the Menorah Park Home Care Agency serves 45 residents.

Menorah Park generated $25 million in revenue in 2007, and Bloodgood projects a similar figure for .2008. Menorah Park employs more than 300 people.

Norman Poltenson, the publisher of The Central New York Business Journal, is currently a member of the Menorah Park board of directors. Poltenson is also a past president of The Foundation at Menorah Park.

Copyright Central New York Business Journal Sep 12, 2008

(c) 2008 Business Journal – Central New York, The. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

— Laura Hawks, ASLA, has joined Durrant as a landscape architect. She has more than 20 years of landscape design and architecture experience. She is currently the vice president of the Landscape Architectural Examining Board.

— Medical Associates Clinic announced the following:

— Brandi Lee Henning, AuD., joined the group as a licensed audiologist. She graduated from Missouri State University, Springfield. She is located in the Department of Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose, Throat), Medical Associates East Campus.

— Preeti Joseph, M.D., joined the group as a neurologist. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and completed a neurology residency at Oklahoma University Medical Center. She acquired fellowship training in neurophysiology at Vanderbilt University, Nashville. She is located in the Department of Neurology, Medical Associates East Campus.

— Robert Magnus, M.D., joined the group as an orthopedic surgeon. He graduated from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. He completed an Orthopedic residency at Metropolitan Northwest Hospitals of Detroit Program, and acquired fellowship training in Adult Reconstructive/Total Joint Replacement from Central DuPage Hospital, Winfield, Ill. He is located in the Department of Orthopedics, Medical Associates West Campus.

— Amy Reisen, A.R.N.P., joined the group as a family nurse practitioner. She received a master’s degree in nursing from Clarke College in Dubuque and a bachelor of science in nursing from Hawaii Pacific University, Honolulu. She is located in the Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Associates West Campus.

— Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque announced the following:

— Kate Schemmel, PharmD., joined the center as ICU/cardiology pharmacy specialist and pharmacy clinical coordinator. She received her pharmacy degree from Creighton University and completed her residency at Midwestern University, Chicago.

— Jennifer Faley joined the center as communication coordinator in the marketing department. She formerly worked as a technical writer and editor at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

— John Portz joined Vanguard Inc. as display project manager for its store fixture and point of purchase display division. He will direct sales and marketing activities toward continued growth and expansion. He formerly worked in the engineering department at Dubuque Stamping & Mfg.

— Honkamp Krueger & Co., P.C. announced the following:

— Nicole Gantz was promoted to director of marketing. She will be responsible for the marketing strategy of the firm’s CPA and business consulting services. She has been with the company since 2007 as a marketing manager, specializing in identity theft prevention.

— Karen Ridings was appointed to be in charge of the new marketing and consulting practice. She will be available to help businesses tackle their marketing challenges. She formerly worked in San Francisco and Seattle, working at multinational advertising agencies. She also has experience as an independent marketing consultant working with both large and small businesses.

— Keith Habel was appointed as a state and local tax specialist.

— Nikki Connolly has been appointed staff accountant.

— Nancy Miller joined the company as a staff accountant.

— Tiffeny Bruggeman and Cassie Ingles joined the company as payroll service representatives.

— Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois announced the following:

— Brooke Gassman has been named development manager for the Dubuque office. She formerly worked as development and marketing director for Opening Doors, Dubuque.

— Stephanie Carmichael joined the Dubuque office as regional membership manager for Cedar, Clinton, Jones and Jackson counties. She formerly was located in the Rock Island, Ill., office.

— Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co. announced the following:

— Dennis Jaeger was promoted to senior strategic accounts and operations manager for the PreK-12 Division.

— Chadwick Schockemoehl was promoted to national sales manager for the PreK-12 Division.

— Michelle Melssen was promoted to senior executive secretary and professional development assistant for the PreK-12 Division.

— Janell Edwards was promoted to senior graphic designer in marketing.

— Jennifer Gehl was promoted to senior manager of manufacturing.

— Marlene Mier was appointed health coach for the Northeast Iowa area with the Iowa Farm Bureau and Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield joint statewide wellness initiative. She will be based in the Farm Bureau county offices within her region.

— Mike Sullivan, of Weber Paper Co., Dubuque, was awarded a certificate of achievement for having completed a seminar for the sales professional conducted in Ohio, by Spartan Chemical Co., Inc.

— The Telegraph Herald has announced two promotions in its Advertising Department:

— Cathy Brandt has been named ADvisor supervisor in the Classified Advertising Department, overseeing day-to-day activities in the department. She has been with the TH since 2002.

— Amy Green has been named niche publication supervisor/ Business Times coordinator. Her responsibilities include advertising for Telegraph Herald magazines, Business Times and Territory Times, which the TH produces under contract with the Galena Territory Association.

(c) 2008 Telegraph – Herald (Dubuque). Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

KURCHALOI (Chechnya). Oct 12 (Interfax-South) – Five of the 13 people killed in an earthquake in Chechnya were children, Chechen Health Minister Shakhid Akhmadov told Interfax early on Sunday.

Among those injured, 30 are in serious and 16 in critical condition, he said, citing a report as of midnight.

Tents are being put up. Doctors are receiving quake victims, Akhmadov said at a damaged hospital in Kurchaloi.

“The hospital has been destroyed and the maternity clinic has been seriously damaged,” the health minister said.

(c) 2008 Daily News Bulletin; Moscow – English. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

By ADAM ASPINALL

THE parents of a Midlands model who became one of the most famous faces of the 1980s as a Cadbury’s Flake Girl paid tribute to her last night after her death from cancer.

Stunning Marilyn Crossey, 52, from Telford in Shropshire, shot to fame in 1985 after starring in one of the iconic television adverts.

Her beautiful face and curly brown hair wowed millions of viewers as she indulged in the sensuous pleasure of eating a chocolate bar, surrounded by sunflowers in idyllic countryside.

Last night, devastated parents George and Connie Crossey, from Shropshire, revealed she died two weeks ago after losing a long battle with cancer of the liver.

George, an 84 year-old Burma War veteran, said: “Marilyn was such a pretty girl and we were so proud of everything she achieved.

“She left home at 18 and travelled across the world but always made sure she came back to see us from time to time.” Her parents are hoping people will now help remember their daughter by contributing to the Severn Hospice in Telford where she spent her last two days.

“The staff there are angels,”

added Mr Crossey.

“They treated Marilyn and us just like family and deserve every penny to continue providing such a wonderful service.”

The first television advert for Flakewas broadcast in 1959 and the latest commercial featured soul singer Joss Stone.

The adverts have become iconic because of their seductive undertones as the Flake Girls slowly unwrap, then put the chocolate bars into their mouths – accompanied by the famous theme tune.

After her advert success, Marilyn featured in glamorous fashion shoots across the globe and also toured extensively with 1980s indie band The Cure.

She was once feared dead for several days when her small boat went adrift in the Caribbean – and she had to survive on raw fish.

Marilyn was also a talented artist in her earlier days and her work still graces the entrance of what is now called Wrockwardine Wood Art College in Telford.

She eventually went on to qualify as an interior decorator and had lived and worked most recently in Spain.

[email protected]

(c) 2008 Sunday Mercury; Birmingham (UK). Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

The wind and rain were furious. Crawford Parkway was so flooded that the Elizabeth River seemed to have no boundary. Yet, attendance at the Portsmouth Rotary Club almost exceeded the capacity of the meeting room at the Holiday Inn-Olde Towne.

It was surprising that so many showed up for a talk by Maury Cooke, a local guy without political ambitions or controversial ties at this time – unless, of course, you count a recent newspaper story about Cooke and his meditative ways. He had come to talk about meditation.

He was introduced by his lifelong friend, Eddie Russell, an attorney, who noted that as youngsters they lived on “the edges of wilderness” in the developing Pinehurst neighborhood that was “a boy’s paradise” in the 1940s.

Cooke “always had the itch,” Russell said, noting the varied businesses and community activities he had been involved in over the years.

Cooke’s life-changing moment came, he said when his son, Greg, died in an automobile accident in 1993. Russell said that his friend began “looking within” and thereby “found a whole new cause.”

Now Cooke is trying to spread the word on meditation, especially among young people. He told the Rotarians about his project in the Blue Ridge mountains to teach teens to meditate.

But he got the attention of the Rotarians when he gave them evidence of the benefits of meditation.

Studies have shown, he said, that people who meditate twice a day over 10 years may decrease the ages of their bodies by eight to 10 years – or if you’re 60 and seriously meditate, you may look and feel like 50.

Not only does meditation reverse aging, he said, but it can lower blood pressure and help focus and memory. It helps process problems and encourages people to see clearly, he said. Part of that is because meditation frees the mind of many of the worthless musings among “30,000 to 60,000 thoughts that go off in the mind every day.”

The men and women in the audience listened . When Cooke suggested that they participate in an exercise, they did. He led them into about five minutes of meditation. During those five minutes, you could hear a pin drop in the room.

Stunned by the total silence, I cheated a little and looked around. Every one of about 60 people in the room seemed engrossed .

Seeing that room full of business and professional folks in such a meditative state indicated that Cooke is onto something. His efforts to involve young people in meditation, teaching them compassion and loving-kindness in the process, could have far- reaching impact on the world.

Meantime, maybe Cooke could teach some of us adults to meditate before we act on important matters.

Ida Kay Jordan, 399-3845

(c) 2008 Virginian – Pilot. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

Todayn Dubuque Farmers Market, 7 a.m.-noon, in area around City Hall.n Thrift and Bake Sale, 8 a.m., Summit Congregational United Church of Christ, 2885 Kennedy Road. Rummage, baked goods, jewelry and collectibles.n Dubuque Healing Arts Yoga Class, 8 a.m. yoga class; 9:45 a.m. film “Living Yoga,” 10:45 a.m. discussion and tea. Admission: donation for the Dubuque Area Food Bank.n Reading with Rover, 10:30-11:15 a.m., Carnegie-Stout Public Library, 360 11th St. Children K-3 can read to a group of kid-friendly dogs. The program is sponsored by the Dubuque Regional Humane Society.n Lord’s Acre, 11 a.m., First Presbyterian Church, Bellevue, Iowa. Luncheon and auction.n ALTimate Guitar Hero Finals, 11 a.m. 17 and younger finals, 7 p.m. 18 and older finals, Voices Warehouse Gallery, 1000 Jackson St. Food and beverages available to purchase. Details: 563- 588-5743.n Art for the Afterlife with Big Muddy Ghost Hunters, 1-3 p.m., Linwood Cemetery, 2735 Windsor Ave. Learn the history of cemetery art and icons. Advance tickets $10 ages 10 and older. Children must be accompanied by adult. Details: 563-542-7487.n Mississippi Trails Hiking Club, meet at 1 p.m. at Grandview and Rockdale for a hike at Filmore-White Water Canyon.n Hog Roast, 4-7 p.m., Hazel Green United Methodist Church, Hazel Green, Wis. Barbeque pork, roast beef, baked potatoes, corn, rolls, homemade pies. Cost $9 adults, $4 children 5-12. Craft booth opens at 3 p.m.n Catfish Fillet Fish Fry, 4-8 p.m., Warren Lodge 4, F. & A.M., Potosi, Wis. Cost $8 adults, $3 children 6 to 12. Proceeds to Potosi/ Cassville/Lancaster High School Scholarship Fund.n Hanover Fire Department Annual Pancake and Sausage Supper, 5-8 p.m., Hanover (Ill.) Fire Station 201, Fillmore Street. Proceeds to benefit Fire Prevention Program, annual Halloween party and to purchase trailer for ATV.n Moonlight Hike, 6 p.m., Effigy Mounds National Monument, Harpers Ferry. Annual Moonlight Hike for a two mile walk beginning at monument visitor center.n Oasis Gospel Music, 7 p.m., Platteville, Wis. Featuring: Rose Huntington & Ron Kittleson, of New Glarius, Wis.n Stories from the Edge of the World/National Geographic,7 p.m., Ohnward Fine Arts Center, Maquoketa, Iowa. For more information, call 563-652-9815.n Dubuque Senior High Class of 1988 Reunion, 7-10 p.m., The Grand Harbor Resort, 350 Bell Street.n Baby Dee, 8-10 p.m., Monks Kaffee Pub, 373 Bluff St. Harpist solo musician.n Ghosts of the River Walking Tour with Big Muddy Ghost Hunters, 8-10 p.m., River Walk Pavilion at the Port of Dubuque. Hear Dubuque ghost stories at the shore of the Mississippi. Advance tickets $10 ages 10 and older. Children must be accompanied by adult. Details: 563-542-7487.today and sundayn 16th Annual Autumn Craft Fair, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., River Ridge School, Hanover, Ill. Two gyms filled with handcrafted items, outdoor exhibits, farmer’s market, and food court.n Leaf Arts & Crafts Fest & Flea Market Under the Bridge, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Triangle Park, McGregor, Iowa. Numerous vendors, food, live music, carriage rides.n Galena Country Fair, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Grant Park, Galena, Ill. More than 150 vendors selling original, handmade arts, crafts, and fine arts. Farmers’ markets, live entertainment, children’s games, and more. Donation: $2. Details: 815-777-0817.n Living History Weekend, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Apple River Fort State Historic Site, 311 E. Myrtle St., Elizabeth, Ill. Join costumed interpreters engage guests in 1830’s activities and lifeways. Free admission. Details: 815-858-2028.n Bahl Family Farm Pumpkin Festival, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 2.8 miles west of Northwest Arterial on Asbury Road, by the Meadows Golf Course, Asbury, Iowa.n Octoberfest Polka Festival, 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Dubuque County Fairgrounds. Enjoy some of the best bands while dancing on one of the biggest wooden dance floors in the midwest. Details: 563- 588-1406.n The Grand Opera House presents “Sin, Sex and the CIA,” 7:30 p.m. today, 2 p.m. Sunday, 135 W. Eighth St. Zany characters meet up in a CIA “safe house.” For more information, call 563-588- 1305 or visit www.thegrandoperahouse.com.n Dubuque Symphony Orchestra performs Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5” and “Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 5.” 7:30 p.m. today, 2 p.m. Sunday, Five Flags Center. Former Music Director Nicholas Palmer joins current Music Director William Intriligator in an unforgettable evening of celebration, history and two great musical masterpieces. Tickets available at the Five Flags Box Office, 563-557-1677.Sundayn Annual Breakfast and Open House, 7 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Fire/Rescue building, south end of Main Street, Cuba City, Wis. Cost $6 adults, $4 children 5-12.n Galena Territory Association Farmers Market, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Galena Territory Association Owner’s Club parking lot (north end), 2000 Territory Drive, Galena, Ill.n French Toast Breakfast and Bake Sale, 7:30-11:30 a.m., St. Paul’s School Gym, Worthington, Iowa. Cost $6.50 adults, $3 children 5-10.n 27th Auto Parts Swap Meet and Cars for Sale Corral, 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Fairgrounds Parking Lot, Monticello, Iowa. Event open to high performance, custom, stock and antique (domestic and foreign); buy, sell or trade. The public is welcome to attend.n Breakfast Buffet, 8 a.m.- noon, Asbury Eagles Club, Saratoga Plaza, Asbury. Cost $6 adults, $3 children 10 and younger. Proceeds to the club/building fund.n Chili Feed sponsored by Friends of the Dubuque County Conservation Board, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Swiss Valley Nature Center, Peosta, Iowa. Event features wagon and tractor rides, silent auction, door prizes and chili. Cost $5 adults, $3 children 12 and younger.n Habitat for Humanity Radio Auction, noon-5 p.m., WPVL 107.1 FM. To bid call 608- 349-2008.n Bingo Knights of Columbus 5513, 12:30 p.m. warm up games and 1 p.m. regular games, 7270 Sundown Road, Peosta, Iowa. Two jackpots go every week.n Annual Square Dance Benefit for Camp Courageous, 1:30-4 p.m., Main Lodge, Camp Courageous, Monticello, Iowa. Dance clubs, individuals and couples welcome. Tours will be available. All donations benefit the camp. Participants to bring snack to share, beverages provided.n James Kennedy Public Library presents “Van Helsing,”2 p.m., Dyersville, Iowa. Admission is free. Popcorn and refreshments served.n Colt’s Bingo, 6:30 p.m. early games, 7 p.m. regular games, 1101 Central Ave.MeetingsTodayn Cup of Jo, 10 a.m., Coffee Shop at Hartig Drug, University Avenue. Cup of Jo is open to all women with the letters JO in their name and enjoy a cup of coffee. Details: 563-556-0134.n Mac Maverick’s User Group, 10 a.m., Finley Hospital Auditorium. Details: www.macmaverick.org.R.S.V.P.n Thursday Swing Club, call Bonnie Hayes at 563-583-9825 by 11 a.m. Wednesday.n Tuesday Bridge Club, call Virginia Sedbrook at 563-583-0575 by 8 p.m. Sunday.

(c) 2008 Telegraph – Herald (Dubuque). Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

By LAURA SHARPE

A CORONER has criticised the training of a student nurse who gave a grandmother a fatal injection.

Christopher Sumner, said 91-year-old Edna Alker’s death “was a result of a preventable consequence of a necessary medical procedure.”

Mrs Alker, of Orrell, died in Whiston Hospital after receiving a fatal dose of potassium chloride from Rebecca Riley, a student from Liverpool John Moores University.

Mr Sumner said he was surprised by gaps in Riley’s medical knowledge given she was one-week away from completing her three- year nursing course.

He added: “I accept that nursing is a practical profession and that much of the training takes place within the work environment.

“However I am surprised to learn that a student, who is within one week of completing a three-year-course has such fundamental gaps in her knowledge.

“I am equally surprised to learn that a student with such gaps in her knowledge was allowed to administer drugs intravenously, albeit under supervision.”

After receiving the fatal dose Mrs Alker went into cardiac arrest and her brain suffered irreparable damage.

She died the following day.

Speaking afterwards, Mrs Alker’s daughter, Dr Gill Edwards, a consultant anaesthetist at Whiston Hospital where her mother died, said: “How a student nurse so close to qualifying injected an elderly patient with a drug she knows nothing about is astonishing.”

A spokesman for LJMU said: “National guidance on nursing education has changed since 2003 when this unfortunate incident occurred and such curricular changes are embedded in all of Liverpool John Moores University’s nursing programmes.”

St Helens and Knowsley NHS Trust said they were “reassured that the verdict did not identify any shortcomings in the hospital’s systems or procedures.”

(c) 2008 Liverpool Echo. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

By Sepulveda, Antonia R Patil, Madhavi

Context.-Most types of gastritis can be diagnosed on hematoxylin- eosin stains. The most common type of chronic gastritis is Helicobacter pylori gastritis. Reactive or chemical gastropathy, which is often associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use or bile reflux, is common in most practices. The diagnosis of atrophic gastritis can be challenging if few biopsy samples are available and if the location of the biopsies in the stomach is not known, such as when random biopsies are sampled in one jar. If the biopsy site is not known, immunohistochemical stains, such as a combination of synaptophysin and gastrin, are useful in establishing the biopsy location. Objective.-To demonstrate a practical approach to achieving a pathologic diagnosis of gastritis by evaluating a limited number of features in mucosal biopsies.

Data Source.-In this article, we present several representative gastric biopsy cases from a gastrointestinal pathology practice to demonstrate the practical application of basic histopathologic methods for the diagnosis of gastritis.

Conclusions.-Limited ancillary tests are usually required for a diagnosis of gastritis. In some cases, special stains, such as acid- fast stains, and immunohistochemical stains, such as for H pylori and viruses, can be useful. Helicobacter pylori immunohistochemical stains can particularly contribute (1) when moderate to severe, chronic gastritis or active gastritis is present but no Helicobacter organisms are identified upon hematoxylin-eosin stain; (2) when extensive intestinal metaplasia is present; and (3) in follow-up biopsies, after antibiotic treatment for H pylori.

(Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2008;132:1586-1593)

Gastritis refers to a group of diseases characterized by inflammation of the gastric mucosa. Histologic examination of gastric mucosal biopsies is necessary to establish a diagnosis of gastritis. In clinical practice, the role of the pathologist who evaluates a gastric biopsy for gastritis is to find the cause of gastritis because that will provide direct targets toward which therapeutic measures can be directed. An etiologic classification of gastritis is presented at the end of this section. Comprehensive reviews of gastritis have been published.1,2,3 The goal of this article is to present a practical approach to the diagnosis of the most common types of gastritis encountered in a large practice of gastrointestinal pathology. The reader will be presented several cases representative of typical forms of gastritis; for each case, the reader will be prompted through a series of questions to examine the histologic features of the mucosa, leading to a pattern of answers and to a final diagnosis.

The first question is aimed at determining whether or not there are features of chronic or acute (active) gastritis present. If the biopsy shows chronic gastritis, the following questions should be posed:

1. Are there features of chronic gastritis present? Lymphocytic and plasmacytic inflammatory reaction indicates chronic gastritis.

2. Are there neutrophils in the mucosa? The presence of neutrophils indicate active gastritis.

3. Is there Helicobacter?

4. Is there glandular atrophy? Is intestinal metaplasia present?

5. What is the topography of lesions (predominantly in the oxyntic mucosa of the body and fundus, predominantly in antrum, or involving both locations)?

6. Are there special features (such as granulomas, foveolar hyperplasia, viral inclusions)?

7. What ancillary studies are indicated, and what are the results?

TYPES OF CHRONIC GASTRITIS

Infectious Gastritis

Helicobacter pylori infection is the most common cause of chronic gastritis. Other forms of infectious gastritis include the following: Helicobacter heilmannii-associated gastritis; granulomatous gastritis associated with gastric infections in mycobacteriosis, syphilis, histoplasmosis, mucormycosis, South American blastomycosis, anisakiasis or anisakidosis; chronic gastritis associated with parasitic infections; and viral infections, such as cytomegalovirus and herpesvirus infection.

Noninfectious Gastritis

Noninfectious gastritis is associated with autoimmune gastritis; reactive or chemical gastropathy, usually related to chronic bile reflux or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) intake; uremic gastropathy; noninfectious granulomatous gastritis; lymphocytic gastritis, including gastritis associated with celiac disease; eosinophilic gastritis; radiation injury to the stomach; graft- versus-host disease; ischemic gastritis; and gastritis secondary to chemotherapy.

Many cases of gastritis are of undetermined cause and present as chronic, inactive gastritis with various degrees of severity.3

TYPES OF ACUTE GASTRITIS

Many of the forms of chronic gastritis may present with an acute form, with progression to chronic gastritis because of persisting injury or sequelae. This is the case of gastritis associated with long-term intake of aspirin and other NSAIDs and bile reflux into the stomach; excessive alcohol consumption; heavy smoking; cancer chemotherapeutic drugs and radiation; acids and alkali in suicide attempts; uremia; severe stress (trauma, burns, surgery); ischemia and shock; systemic infections; mechanical trauma, such as intubation associated mucosal lesions; and viral infections.

Case 1

A 60-year-old man underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy. A biopsy of gastric antrum was submitted to pathology to rule out H pylori. The histologic findings are shown in Figure 1, A through C.

Findings. Examination of the biopsy material available gives the following answers:

1. Are there features of chronic gastritis? Yes. The gastric antral mucosa shows expansion of the lamina propria by chronic inflammatory cells, consisting of plasma cells and small lymphocytes, predominantly located toward the luminal aspect of the mucosa, a pattern that is suggestive of H pylori infection.

2. Are there neutrophils in the mucosa? Yes. Therefore, this represents active gastritis. This is a mild form of active gastritis.

3. Is there Helicobacter? Yes. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) examination reveals diagnostic H pylori bacterial forms in the surface mucus layer in close proximity to the apical aspect of surface epithelial cells.

4. Is there glandular atrophy? The biopsy sample available is not adequate for evaluation of atrophic gastritis; multiple biopsies, including samples of gastric body, are necessary for adequate evaluation of glandular atrophy. Is there intestinal metaplasia? Yes.

5. What is the topography of lesions? The chronic gastritis in this case involves, at minimum, the gastric antrum; it is advisable to obtain biopsy samples of both gastric antrum and body for a better evaluation of gastritis, as recommended by the updated Sydney guidelines4 for classification of gastritis.

6. Are additional special features present? No.

7. Are special stains recommended? No.

Diagnosis. Gastric antral mucosa with H pylori-associated chronic gastritis, mildly active, and focal intestinal metaplasia.

HPYLORI-ASSOCIATED CHRONIC GASTRITIS

The Helicobacter species consist of gram-negative rods that infect the gastric mucosa. Helicobacter pylori bacteria are 3.5 [mu]m long and are generally comma-shaped or have slightly spiral forms. Helicobacter heilmannii, a rare agent of chronic gastritis, is a 5- to 9-[mu]m-long bacterium, with a characteristic tightly corkscrew-shaped, spiral form.5 Helicobacter pylori infection usually is acquired during childhood, persisting as chronic gastritis if the organism is not eradicated. During progression of gastritis over the years, the gastric mucosa undergoes a sequence of changes that may lead to glandular atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, increased risk of gastric dysplasia and carcinoma,6-9 and mucosa- associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma,10,11 reported as extranodal, marginal zone, B-cell lymphoma in the World Health Organization classification.12

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with the histologic pattern of active and chronic gastritis, reflecting the presence of neutrophils and mononuclear cells (lymphocytes and plasma cells) in the mucosa, respectively. The term active gastritis is preferred to acute gastritis because H pylori gastritis is a long-standing chronic infection with ongoing activity. Lymphoid aggregates and lymphoid follicles may be observed expanding the lamina propria, and rare lymphocytes may enter the epithelium. Helicobacter pylori organisms are found within the gastric mucus layer that overlays the apical side of gastric surface cells, and lower numbers are found in the lower portions of the gastric foveolae. Helicobacter pylori may be found within the deeper areas of the mucosa in association with glandular cells in patients on acid blockers, such as the commonly used proton pump inhibitors.13

Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis can display different levels of severity. The severity of H pylori gastritis activity may be indicated in a pathology report as mild (rare neutrophils seen), moderate (obvious neutrophils within the glandular and foveolar epithelium), or severe (numerous neutrophils with glandular microabscesses and mucosal erosion or frank ulceration).4,14

Helicobacter pylori-associated chronic gastritis can manifest as a pangastritis involving the area from the pylorus to the gastric body and cardia, or it may predominantly involve the antrum. Patients with gastric ulcers generally have antral-predominant gastritis, whereas pangastritis, or at least multifocal gastritis, is more common in patients with gastric carcinoma. The latter generally have significant intestinal metaplasia and gastric oxyntic glandular atrophy coexisting in the background stomach. It is important to make a pathologic diagnosis of atrophic gastritis because gastric atrophy is associated with increased risk of gastric cancer.15,16 Patients with chronic atrophic gastritis may have up to a 16-fold increased risk of developing gastric carcinoma, compared with the general population. 15,17 When large numbers of H pylori are present in the mucosa, the identification of typical organisms is generally possible on H&E stains. However, there are cases of chronic, active gastritis with features suggestive of H pylori gastritis in which the organisms are not detected. Several special stains have been extensively used to help identify H pylori organisms in the gastric mucosa, including modified-Giemsa, Genta, thiazine stains, and immunohistochemistry against Helicobacter antigens. The selection of the special stain used is largely dependent on preferences related to individual practices. Although, overall, no major differences in sensitivity and specificity have been reported, studies have recommended immunohistochemical stains in a subset of cases.18,19 In our practice, we prefer to use immunohistochemical stains for detection of H pylori if organisms are not found on H&E stains in the following cases: (1) if moderate to severe chronic gastritis or any grade of active gastritis is present but no Helicobacter organisms are identified on H&E; (2) when extensive intestinal metaplasia is present because H pylori density is reduced in areas of intestinal metaplasia; and (3) during follow-up biopsies after antibiotic treatment for H pylori.

Helicobacter heilmannii may cause similar pathology, and the treatment is similar to H pylori.5

Case 2

A 45-year-old man is seen to rule out H pylori. He presents with a history of Crohn disease. The histologic findings are shown in Figure 2.

Findings. Examination of the biopsy material results in the following pattern of answers:

1. Are there features of chronic gastritis? Yes. The gastric antral mucosa shows expansion of the lamina propria by chronic inflammatory cells, consisting of admixed plasma cells and small lymphocytes, throughout the thickness of the mucosa.

2. Are there neutrophils in the mucosa? Yes, with an occasional glandular abscess; therefore, there is active gastritis. Of note, the active gastritis has a patchy distribution.

3. Is there Helicobacter? No. Examination with H&E stain does not reveal such bacterial forms. Immunohistochemical stain is performed.

4. Is there atrophy? The biopsy sample available is not adequate for evaluation of atrophic gastritis because the biopsy material is only from the gastric antrum; multiple gastric body biopsies are necessary for adequate evaluation of glandular atrophy. There is no intestinal metaplasia.

5. What is the topography of lesions? The chronic gastritis involves, at minimum, the gastric antrum.

6. Are additional special features seen? No. Although in a case of Crohn disease gastritis, epithelioid granulomas may be present; in this case, no granulomas were seen.

7. Are special stains recommended? Yes. Helicobacter pylori immunohistochemical stain, which is helpful in cases where Crohn disease is suspected because the absence of H pylori organisms in chronic active gastritis is consistent with Crohn disease. The H pylori immunohistochemical stain in this case is negative.

Diagnosis.- Gastric antral mucosa with chronic active gastritis, moderately active, patchy. No H pylori organisms are identified by H&E or immunohistochemistry. Note: These features are consistent with Crohn disease-associated gastritis.

CROHN DISEASE-ASSOCIATED GASTRITIS

The hallmark histopathologic features of Crohn disease- associated gastritis are the presence of patchy, acute inflammation with possible gastric pit or glandular abscesses, commonly with a background with lymphoid aggregates. Recent studies20 reported the presentation of gastritis in patients with Crohn disease as a focally enhanced gastritis, characterized by small collections of lymphocytes and histiocytes surrounding a small group of gastric foveolae or glands, often with infiltrates of neutrophils. In severe cases, there may be diffuse inflammation in the lamina propria, with variable glandular loss, fissures, ulcers, transmural inflammation, and fibrosis. Noncaseating epithelioid granulomas may be present in about one third of cases of Crohn disease gastritis but are often not seen, at least in part, because of limited tissue sampling.

When granulomas are identified, the differential diagnosis includes other forms of granulomatous gastritis. There are infectious and noninfectious causes of granulomatous gastritis. Noninfectious diseases represent the usual cause of gastric granulomas and include Crohn disease, sarcoidosis, and isolated granulomatous gastritis. Sarcoidlike granulomas may be observed in cocaine users, and foreign material is occasionally observed in the granulomas. Sarcoidosis of the stomach is usually associated with granulomas in other organs, especially the lungs, hilar nodes, or salivary glands. A diagnosis of idiopathic, isolated, granulomatous gastritis is rendered when known entities associated with granulomas are excluded.

Case 3

A 60-year-old man presents with a nodularity of the gastric body to rule out H pylori. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy of the nodular areas was performed. The histologic findings are shown in Figure 3, A and B.

Findings.- Examination of the biopsy material results in the following pattern of answers:

1. Are there features of chronic gastritis? Yes.

2. Are there neutrophils in the mucosa? Yes. There are neutrophils in the mucosa, representing active gastritis.

3. Is there Helicobacter? No. Examination with H&E stain does not reveal H pylori bacterial forms. Immunohistochemical is performed.

4. Is there atrophy? Yes. There is a reduced number of oxyntic glands in the biopsy. There is no intestinal metaplasia.

5. What is the topography of lesions? The chronic gastritis involves, at minimum, the gastric body.

6. Are additional special features seen? No.

7. Are special stains recommended? Yes. Helicobacter pylori immunohistochemical stain, which is positive.

Diagnosis. Gastric oxyntic mucosa with H pylori-associated chronic active gastritis and glandular atrophy, moderate. No intestinal metaplasia is identified. Helicobacter organisms are identified by immunohistochemistry.

ATROPHIC GASTRITIS

Several publications, including those reporting the Sydney system and the updated Houston classification of gastritis, have proposed criteria for the evaluation of atrophic gastritis. Interobserver variability is significant, especially in the evaluation of antral atrophy.4,21 Recent advances that appear to decrease the interobserver variation in the assessment of gastric atrophy have been reported.14 Atrophy is more accurately assessed after resolution of severe inflammation of the mucosa; therefore, if there is H pylori gastritis, the infection should be eradicated before atrophy is difinitively evaluated. When marked inflammation is present, a diagnosis of indefinite for atrophy may be offered, especially if there is no intestinal metaplasia.

The recommended definition of atrophy is the loss of appropriate glands, and atrophy can be scored according to the degree of severity as mild, moderate, or severe.22 In this definition, intestinal metaplasia represents a form of atrophy described as metaplastic atrophy (or gastric glandular atrophy with intestinal metaplasia).

Gastric atrophy is usually associated with intestinal metaplasia. However, in limited endoscopic biopsies, intestinal metaplasia might not be sampled, whereas the mucosa shows definitive atrophy. Usually gastric atrophy and intestinal metaplasia occur on a background of chronic gastritis, hence the term atrophic gastritis.

Sampling of the mucosa for evaluation of atrophy and gastritis is generally adequate by using the 5 biopsies recommended by the Sydney system, including 2 biopsies from the antrum, 2 from the corpus or body, and 1 from the incisura angularis.4,21 It is essential for the pathologist to have a means of determining the specific site in the stomach where a biopsy is sampled from because specific topography of atrophy characterizes the different types of atrophic gastritis. In atrophic gastritis associated with H pylori, glandular atrophy and intestinal metaplasia involve both the gastric antrum and body, whereas in autoimmune atrophic gastritis, the disease is essentially restricted to the gastric body. Ideally, the precise location is indicated by the endoscopist, and the biopsies from different sites are submitted in separate containers. However, using special stains can help the pathologist determine the location of the biopsy fragments received. This approach is exemplified in case 5.

Gastric atrophy and intestinal metaplasia are associated with increased gastric cancer risk, but unlike the intestinal metaplasia of Barrett syndrome, no specific recommendations for surveillance have been established in the United States, although published data in other populations have suggested a benefit.23 In that study,23 patients with extensive atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia had an 11% risk of gastric malignancy.

Case 4

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy of a 60-year-old man shows gastritis. The pathologist needs to rule out H pylori and gastric atrophy. The gastric site of the biopsy is not specified. Figure 4, A through C, represents the histologic findings.

Findings. Examination of the biopsy material results in the following pattern of answers:

1. Are there features of chronic gastritis? Yes. 2. Are there neutrophils in the mucosa? Yes. There are neutrophils in the mucosa; therefore, there is a component of active gastritis.

3. Is there Helicobacter? No. Examination with H&E stains do not reveal H pylori bacterial forms. Immunohistochemical stain is performed.

4. Is there atrophy? If the biopsy is from gastric oxyntic mucosa then there is atrophy, however, if the specimen is from the antrum, it may represent chronic gastritis without atrophy. There is no intestinal metaplasia.

5. Are special stains recommended? Yes. Immunohistochemical stains for synaptophysin and gastrin are performed. Immunohistochemical stains for synaptophysin (Figure 4, B), show a linear pattern of synaptophysin-positive cells, whereas the gastrin stain is negative. Because gastrin is negative, the biopsy is not from the gastric antrum (G cells are characteristically located in the antrum and pylorus), and therefore, it can be established that the biopsy is of oxyntic mucosa with reduced oxyntic glandular profiles, establishing a diagnosis of atrophy. The linear arrays of synaptophysin-positive cells represent enterochromaffin-like cell hyperplasia. Enterochromaffinlike cell hyperplasia occurs in response to hypergastrinemia that results from hypochlorhydria associated with gastric oxyntic cell atrophy.

6. Are additional special features seen? No.

7. Is immunohistochemical stain for H pylori positive? No.

Diagnosis.- Gastric oxyntic mucosa with chronic active gastritis and glandular atrophy, severe. No intestinal metaplasia is identified. No Helicobacter organisms are identified. Note: These features are most suggestive of autoimmune gastritis.

AUTOIMMUNE ATROPHIC GASTRITIS

This form of gastritis (reviewed in Sepulveda et al1 and Capella et al24) is caused by antiparietal cell and anti-intrinsic factor antibodies and presents as a chronic gastritis with oxyntic cell injury, and glandular atrophy essentially restricted to the oxyntic mucosa of the gastric body and fundus. The histologic changes vary in different phases of the disease. During the early phase, there is multifocal infiltration of the lamina propria by mononuclear cells and eosinophils and focal T-cell lymphocyte infiltration of oxyntic glands with glandular destruction. Focal mucous neck cell hyperplasia (pseudopyloric metaplasia), and hypertrophic changes of parietal cells are also observed. During the florid phase, there is increased lymphocytic inflammation, oxyntic gland atrophy, and focal intestinal metaplasia. The end stage is characterized by diffuse involvement of the gastric body and fundus by chronic atrophic gastritis associated with multifocal intestinal metaplasia. In contrast to the gastric body, the antrum is spared. Recently, a distinct form of autoimmune gastritis, characterized by atrophic pangastritis, was reported in a small group of patients with systemic autoimmune disorders.25

Autoimmune gastritis is a relatively rare disease but represents the most frequent cause of pernicious anemia in temperate climates. The risk of gastric adenocarcinoma was reported to be at least 2.9 times higher in patients with pernicious anemia than in the general population, and there is also an increased risk of gastric carcinoid tumors.

Case 5

A 47-year-old woman presents with a history of celiac disease. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed, with biopsy of gastric antrum. The pathologist needs to rule out H pylori. Figure 5, A and B, illustrates the histologic findings.

Findings. Examination of the biopsy material results in the following pattern of answers:

1. Are there features of chronic gastritis? Yes. There are large numbers of intraepithelial lymphocytes.

2. Are there neutrophils in the mucosa? No.

3. Is there Helicobacter? No. Examination with H&E stain does not reveal H pylori bacterial forms. Immunohistochemical is performed.

4. Is there atrophy? No. There is no glandular atrophy and no intestinal metaplasia.

5. What is the topography of lesions? The chronic gastritis involves, at minimum, the gastric antrum.

6. Are additional special features seen? Yes. The specific features in this biopsy include a characteristic intraepithelial lymphocytosis. Immunohistochemical stain for CD3 is positive, highlighting a population of T lymphocytes in the mucosa and, typically, many intraepithelial lymphocytes.

7. Are special stains recommended? Yes. Immunohistochemical stain for H pylori, which is negative.

Diagnosis. Chronic gastritis with increased intraepithelial T lymphocytes. No Helicobacter organisms are identified. Note: These features are consistent with lymphocytic gastritis-associated with celiac disease.

LYMPHOCYTIC GASTRITIS

Lymphocytic gastritis is a type of chronic gastritis characterized by marked infiltration of the gastric surface and foveolar epithelium by T lymphocytes and by chronic inflammation in the lamina propria. A diagnosis can be rendered when 30 or more lymphocytes per 100 consecutive epithelial cells are observed, and the counts are recommended in biopsies from the gastric corpus. The endoscopic pattern is, in some cases, described as varioliform gastritis. The cause of lymphocytic gastritis is usually unknown, but some cases are seen in patients with glutensensitive enteropathy/ celiac disease and in Me?ne?trier disease. Smaller numbers of intraepithelial lymphocytes can also be seen in H pylori gastritis, but the diagnosis of lymphocytic gastritis should be reserved for cases with marked intraepithelial lymphocytosis in the absence of active H pylori gastritis. Lymphocytic gastritis can be observed in children but is usually detected in late adulthood, with average age of diagnosis of 50 years.

Case 6

A 75-year-old woman presents after esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Gastric antrum shows gastritis; the pathologist is asked to rule out H pylori. The histologic findings are shown in Figure 6.

Findings. Examination of the biopsy material results in the following pattern of answers:

1. Are there features of chronic gastritis? There is minimal chronic gastritis.

2. Are there neutrophils in the mucosa? No.

3. Is there Helicobacter? No. Examination of H&E stains does not reveal H pylori bacterial forms.

4. Is there atrophy? No. There is no atrophy or intestinal metaplasia.

5. What is the topography of lesions? The chronic gastritis involves, at minimum, the gastric antrum.

6. Are additional special features seen? Yes. There are diagnostic special features, including foveolar hyperplasia with a corkscrew appearance of the foveolae. The foveolar epithelium shows reactive cytologic features, including reduced cytoplasmic mucin. The lamina propria shows congestion and smooth muscle hyperplasia, with prominent muscularization of the most superficial mucosa.

7. Are special stains recommended? No ancillary tests are performed.

Diagnosis.- Gastric antral mucosa with features consistent with reactive gastropathy. No H pylori organisms are identified.

CHRONIC, REACTIVE (CHEMICAL) GASTROPATHY

Chronic reactive gastropathy (also know as chemical gastropathy) is very common in current clinical practice. The mucosal changes are usually more prominent in the prepyloric region, but they may extend to involve the oxyntic mucosa. The usual underlying causes include chronic bile reflux and long-term NSAID intake. The histopathologic features include mucosal edema, congestion, fibromuscular hyperplasia in the lamina propria, and foveolar hyperplasia with a corkscrew appearance in the most severe forms. The foveolar epithelium characteristically shows reactive nuclear features and reduction of mucin. The epithelial changes occur with little background chronic inflammation. However, if there is erosion of the mucosa, superficial neutrophils may be present. Erosive gastritis (Figure 7, A) can present clinically as acute gastritis, often associated with NSAID intake.

The features associated with bile reflux are typically found in patients with partial gastrectomy, in whom, the lesions develop near the surgical stoma. However, alterations induced by bile reflux also affect the intact stomach. A recent study26 reported altered mucin expression in reactive gastropathy, including aberrant expression of MUC5Ac in pyloric glands. Evaluation of mucin-expression patterns can be useful to support a diagnosis of reactive gastropathy; however, additional studies are warranted to validate this potential application of mucin immunohistochemistry.

Case 7

A 45-year-old woman presents with a history of bone marrow transplant. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy shows gastric erosion. The histologic findings are represented in Figure 7, B.

Findings. Examination of the biopsy material results in the following pattern of answers:

1. Are there features of chronic gastritis? Yes. The sample of gastric mucosa reveals mucosal erosion with granulation tissue and associated chronic and acute inflammation.

2. Are there neutrophils in the mucosa? Yes. There are superficial neutrophils in the mucosa, but they are limited to the area of mucosal erosion.

3. Is there Helicobacter? No. Examination with H&E stain does not reveal such bacterial forms.

4. Is there atrophy? No. There is no atrophy or intestinal metaplasia.

5. What is the topography of lesions? Away from the areas of erosion, there is no evidence of gastritis; therefore, the location of the biopsy is not contributory in this case.

6. Are additional special features seen? Yes. There are special features including enlarged cells, arousing suspicion of cytomegalovirus inclusions in the granulation tissue.

7. Are special stains recommended? Yes. Immunohistochemical stain for cytomegalovirus reveals rare but characteristic viral inclusions (not shown).

Diagnosis.- Gastric antral mucosa with erosion and cytomegalovirus inclusions, consistent with cytomegalovirusassociated gastritis.

CYTOMEGALOVIRUS GASTRITIS

Cytomegalovirus infection of the stomach is observed in patients with underlying immunosuppression. Histologically, intranuclear eosinophilic inclusions and smaller intracytoplasmic inclusions in enlarged cells are characteristic. A patchy, mild inflammatory infiltrate is observed in the lamina propria. Viral inclusions are present in endothelial or mesenchymal cells in the lamina propria and may be seen in gastric epithelial cells. Severe activity may result in mucosal ulceration. COMMENT

Most types of gastritis can be diagnosed with H&E stains. To reach a determination of etiology and a specific diagnostic entity, a limited list of questions can be used to evaluate the histopathology of gastric biopsies, which can lead to a pattern of answers that corresponds to a specific diagnosis of the most common types of gastritis. Although not ideal, the diagnosis of gastritis can be reached from limited biopsy material, even when the location of the biopsy is not indicated. If the biopsy site is not known, immunohistochemical stains for synaptophysin and gastrin can help determine the biopsy location, permitting a specific diagnosis of atrophic gastritis type. Helicobacter pylori immunohistochemical stains can be particularly useful when moderate to severe chronic gastritis or any active gastritis is present but no Helicobacter organisms are identified on H&E stains, when extensive intestinal metaplasia is present, and to evaluate follow-up biopsies after antibiotic treatment for H pylori.

At the end of the day, there are a number of cases with a diagnosis of chronic inactive gastritis, generally mild, for which a specific etiology cannot be determined by histopathologic examination alone. This may be accounted for by limited tissue sampling, nonspecific focal, mild, chronic inactive gastritis associated with various systemic disorders, or as yet uncharacterized forms of gastritis.

References

1. Sepulveda AR, Dore MP, Bazzoli F. Chronic gastritis. Available at: http://www.emedicine.com. Accessed November 27, 2007.

2. Srivastava A, Lauwers GY. Pathology of non-infective gastritis. Histopathology. 2007;50:15-29.

3. McKenna BJ, Appelman HD. Primer: histopathology for the clinician-how to interpret biopsy information for gastritis. Nat Clin Pract Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006;3:165-171.

4. Dixon MF, Genta RM, Yardley JH, Correa P, the participants in the International Workshop on the Histopathology of Gastritis, Houston 1994. Classification and grading of gastritis: the updated Sydney System. Am J Surg Pathol. 1996;20:1161-1181.

5. Singhal AV, Sepulveda AR. Helicobacter heilmannii gastritis: a case study with review of literature. Am J Surg Pathol. 2005;29:1537- 1539.

6. Sipponen P, Kekki M, Haapakoski J, Ihamaki T, Siurala M. Gastric cancer risk in chronic atrophic gastritis: statistical calculations of cross-sectional data. Int J Cancer. 1985;35:173- 177.

7. Uemura N, Okamoto S, Yamamoto S, et al. Helicobacter pylori infection and the development of gastric cancer. N Engl J Med. 2001;345:784-789.

8. Asaka M, Sugiyama T, Nobuta A. et al. Atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia in Japan: results of a large multicenter study: Helicobacter. 2001;6:294-299.

9. Correa P, Haenszel W, Cuello C, Tannenbaum S, Archer M. A model for gastric cancer epidemiology. Lancet. 1975;2:58-60.

10. Parsonnet J, Hansen S, Rodriguez L, et al. Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric lymphoma. N Engl J Med. 1994;330:1267- 1271.

11. Wotherspoon AC, Ortiz-Hidalgo C, Falzon MR, Isaacson PG. Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis and primary B-cell gastric lymphoma. Lancet. 1991; 338:1175-1176.

12. Jaffe ES, Harris NL, Stein H, Vardiman JW. Pathology and Genetics of Tumours of Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues. Lyon, France: IARC Press; 2001. World Health Organization Classification of Tumours; vol 3.

13. Tagkalidis P, Royce S, Macrae F, Bhathal P. Selective colonization by Helicobacter pylori of the deep gastric glands and intracellular canaliculi of parietal cells in the setting of chronic proton pump inhibitor use. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2002;14:453- 456.

14. Rugge M, Genta RM. Staging and grading of chronic gastritis. Hum Pathol. 2005;36:228-233.

15. Huang JQ, Sridhar S, Chen Y, Hunt RH. Meta-analysis of the relationship between Helicobacter pylori seropositivity and gastric cancer. Gastroenterology. 1998;114:1169-1179.

16. Correa P, Houghton J. Carcinogenesis of Helicobacter pylori. Gastroenterology. 2007;133:659-72.

17. Sepulveda AR, Coelho LG. Helicobacter pylori and gastric malignancies. Helicobacter. 2002;7(suppl 1):37-42.

18. Jonkers D, Stobberingh E, de Bruine A, Arends JW, Stockbrugger R. Evaluation of immunohistochemistry for the detection of Helicobacter pylori in gastric mucosal biopsies. J Infect. 1997;35:149-154.

19. Toulaymat M, Marconi S, Garb J, Otis C, Nash S. Endoscopic biopsy pathology of Helicobacter pylori gastritis: comparison of bacterial detection by immunohistochemistry and Genta stain. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 1999;123:778-781.

20. Xin W, Greenson JK. The clinical significance of focally enhanced gastritis. Am J Surg Pathol. 2004;28:1347-1351.

21. Price A. The Sydney System: histological division. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 1991;6:209-222.

22. Rugge M, Correa P, Dixon MF. et al. Gastric mucosal atrophy: interobserver consistency using new criteria for classification and grading. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2002;16:1249-1259.

23. Whiting JL, Sigurdsson A, Rowlands DC, Hallissey MT, Fielding JW. The long term results of endoscopic surveillance of premalignant gastric lesions. Gut. 2002;50:378-381.

24. Capella R, Fiocca C, Cornaggia M. Autoimmune gastritis. In: Graham DY, Genta RM, Dixon MF, eds. Gastritis. Philadelphia, Pa: LippincottWilliams; 1999: 79-96.

25. Jevremovic D, Torbenson M, Murray JA, Burgart LJ, Abraham SC. Atrophic autoimmune pangastritis: a distinctive form of antral and fundic gastritis associated with systemic autoimmune disease. Am J Surg Pathol. 2006;30:1412-1419.

26. Mino-Kenudson M, Tomita S, Lauwers GY. Mucin expression in reactive gastropathy: an immunohistochemical analysis. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2007;131: 86-90.

Antonia R. Sepulveda, MD, PhD; Madhavi Patil, MD

Accepted for publication January 10, 2008.

From the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

The authors have no relevant financial interest in the products or companies described in this article.

Presented in part at the 47th Annual Meeting of the Houston Society of Clinical Pathologists, Houston, Tex, April 21, 2007.

Reprints: Antonia R. Sepulveda, MD, PhD, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce St, Founders Six, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (e-mail: [email protected]).

Copyright College of American Pathologists Oct 2008

(c) 2008 Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

By Naina, Harris V K Harris, Samar; Pham, Angie; Wang, Jun

To the Editor.-In the review article on Bernard-Soulier syndrome (BSS), Pham and Wang1 reported the May-Hegglin anomaly as the most common inherited giant platelet disorder. We disagree with the authors regarding that statement. To date, only 200 families, to our knowledge, have been studied for MYH9-related disorders. Harris platelet syndrome (HPS), previously called asymptomatic constitutional macrothrombocytopenia, is an inherited giant platelet disorder reported in healthy blood donors from the northeastern part of the Indian subcontinent.2,3 Cases of May-Hegglin have been reported from all around the world, with no particular geographic tendency. However, limited studies done on HPS have shown this entity to be prevalent predominantly in parts of the Indian subcontinent (the northeastern part of India and in Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal).3 In this population, the incidence of HPS was shown to be higher than 30%.3 Harris platelet syndrome is an autosomaldominant inherited giant platelet disorder characterized by mild (

HARRIS V. K. NAINA, MD

SAMAR HARRIS, MD

Department of Medicine

Mayo Clinic

Rochester, MN 55905

1. Pham A, Wang J. Bernard-Soulier syndrome: an inherited platelet disorder. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2007;131:1834-1836.

2. Naina HV, Nair SC, Daniel D, George B, Chandy M. Asymptomatic constitutional macrothrombocytopenia among West Bengal blood donors. Am J Med. 2002;112:742-743.

3. Naina HV, Nair SC, Harris S,Woodfield G, Rees MI. Harris syndrome: a geographic perspective. J Thromb Haemost. 2005;11:2581- 2582.

4. Kunishima S, Matsushita T, Kojima T, et al. Immunofluorescence analysis of neutrophil nonmuscle myosin heavy chain-A in MYH9 disorders: association of subcellular localization with MYH9 mutations. Lab Invest. 2003;83:115-122.

The authors have no relevant financial interest in the products or companies described in this article.

In Reply.-Thank you for your response to our article on Bernard- Soulier syndrome.1 We appreciate your comments and information regarding a relatively recent discovery of a hereditary giant platelet disorder, Harris platelet syndrome (HPS), with current research showing a predominant geographic localization to several countries in the northeastern region of the Indian subcontinent.2,3

Although the May-Hegglin anomaly is described as the most common inherited giant platelet disorder in Western medical literature, we acknowledge that HPS may indeed have a higher incidence. However, the lack of widespread published discussion regarding HPS, the seemingly localized geographic distribution of affected individuals, and the reported lack of patients’ clinical symptoms (ie, bleeding symptoms), limits the availability of current published information, the amount of research, and ultimately, the diagnosis of this inherited syndrome.

As the authors state, it is important to understand and recognize HPS, as well as the several other platelet syndromes, to avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment of affected patients.

ANGIE PHAM, MD

JUN WANG, MD

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Loma Linda University Medical Center

Loma Linda, CA 92354

1. Pham A, Wang J. Bernard-Soulier syndrome: an inherited platelet disorder. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2007;131:1834-1836.

2. Naina HV, Nair SC, Daniel D, George B, Chandy M. Asymptomatic constitutional macrothrombocytopenia among West Bengal blood donors. Am J Med. 2002;112:742-743.

3. Naina HV, Nair SC, Harris S,Woodfield G, Rees MI. Harris syndrome: geographic perspective. J Thromb Haemost. 2005;11:2581- 2582.

The authors have no relevant financial interest in the products or companies described in this article.

Copyright College of American Pathologists Oct 2008

(c) 2008 Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

OWNERS of a North East vets group have taken on their old boss to help them focus on the future.

Croft Vets based in Blyth, Ashington, Gosforth in Newcastle, Monkseaton, Walkerville in Newcastle, Cramlington and North Shields is continuing to expand.

Owners Malcolm Ness and Judith Joyce are delighted that a top eye consultant has joined the team at their pounds 3m veterinary emergency hospital due to open in November.

John Errington, originally from Stamfordham, Northumberland, works only in ophthalmology and has been appointed as ophthalmologist for Croft Vets’ new hospital, situated just outside of Cramlington.

John’s practice, the Animal Eye Centre, will be moving to the new hospital and treating animals that have problems with their eyes. He will also be operating the new state of the art Phaco emulsifier, which removes cataracts.

John previously employed the founders of Croft Vets, Malcolm Ness and Judith Joyce, as new graduates in the early Eighties.

Malcolm and Judith went on to open Croft in 1987 and the company has subsequently become a leading animal primary care and referral veterinary practice in the North East.

Said John: “I am proud to be working with Croft Vets in this new hospital. I have known Malcolm and Judith for a very long time, and it is a privilege to work with them again. The new hospital will lead the way for veterinary practice in the UK and will not only benefit Croft patients but those referred by other veterinary practices. It will be a fabulous facility in which to operate the Animal Eye Centre.”

John qualified in Glasgow in 1973 and then, in 1975, went on to acquire a long established practice in North Shields, which he developed into a veterinary hospital, one of the first of its kind to be registered with the RCVS.

John developed his interest in ophthalmology, which deals with diseases and surgery in the eyes of animals, and was one of the first practitioners to pass the RCVS certificate in ophthalmology in 1984.

(c) 2008 The Journal – Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

NEW YORK, Oct. 10 /PRNewswire/ — Starting October 27, 2008, Promos (a specialized division of the Milan Chamber of Commerce) and Regione Lombardia will present Living the Italian House in Soho at 172 Mercer Street in New York City. The space, filled with Lombardy-designed furniture and home accessories, will be on display in the Soho neighborhood of downtown Manhattan through December 20, 2008 and will also host approximately fifteen events and film screenings during that time.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081010/NY38200 )

Living the Italian House in Soho will recreate five spaces found in the typical Italian house, using elements and products from 35 of the most innovative design companies in Italy. The items on display in the house will include over 150 products from companies including Artemide, Bizzari, Bodema, Luceplan, Paolo C., Progetti, and more.

Living the Italian House in Soho will also host film screenings and panel discussions with leading industry experts and tastemakers. The goal of Living’s event schedule is to present a rich, detailed portrait of how Italian design started, became successful, and developed over time through the synergy of great designers and innovative manufacturing techniques.

   Special Seminars:   Tuesday, November 4th   Turn on the Lights!   Moderated by Michael Cannell, Editor in Chief of Homefront L.A.    Tuesday, November 11:   Visions, Materials and New Trends to Live in the Future   Moderated by Dr. Andrew Dent of Material Connexion    Tuesday, November 18:   Feeding the Body and Soul   Moderated by:  Mark McMenamin, Senior Editor of Interior Design Magazine    Tuesday, December 2:   Sustainability: Italian Style   Moderated by:  Susan Szenasy, Editor-in-Chief of Metropolis Magazine    All seminars begin at 6 PM.     Film Screenings:    Wednesday, November 5   La Cena Per Farli Consoscere   Directed by Pupi Avati    Wednesday, November 12   Per Sempre (For Always)   Directed by Alessandro Di Robilant    Wednesday, November 19   La Stanza Del Figlio (The Son's Room)   Directed by Nanni Moretti    Wednesday, November 26   Lo Ballo da Sola (Stealing Beauty)   Directed by Bernardo Bertolucci    Wednesday, December 3   Chimera   Directed by Pappi Corsicato    All films begin at 6 PM.     About Promos   

Promos is a Special Agency of the Milan Chamber of Commerce for the development of international activities. Its mission is to promote the entrepreneurial system and the pre-eminent areas of Milan and its province worldwide.

Promos also operates through consolidated alliances with the most important bodies, institutions, national and international government agencies and trade associations, as well as through an efficient network of offices and desks located in the most strategic areas for SME’s competitiveness.

For further information on Living the Italian House in Soho, please visit http://www.livinglombardy.it/

For further information on Promos, please visit http://www.promositaly.com/

For further information on Regione Lombardia, please visit http://www.regione.lombardia.it/

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081010/NY38200

Promos

CONTACT: Beth Dickstein, +1-212-353-1383, [email protected], of BDE forPromos

Web Site: http://www.livinglombardy.it/

Maynard, Jay, 23, Pasadena, and Jones, Heather, 26, Pasadena.

Potts, Terry, 22, Churchton, and Richards, Alyssa, 19, Lothian.

Smith, Erik, 23, Philadelphia, and Appleton, Jessica, 23, Philadelphia.

Windell, Stephen, 21, Annapolis, and Lepthien, Lauren, 19, Annapolis.

Nikish, Nicholas, 24, Falls Church, Va., and Dugan, Crystal, 24, Falls Church, Va.

Franco, Lee, 77, Spring Hill, Fla., and Dessez, Sarah, 81, Terra Verde, Fla.

Harding, Tarick, 34, Culpepper, Va., and Shephard, Ebony, 30, Upper Marlboro.

Shipley, Charles, 24, Glen Burnie, and Butler, Christea, 23, Glen Burnie.

Conners, Mark, 27, Burtonsville, and Barefoot, Jessica, 28, Burtonsville.

Groff Jr., John, 60, Mechanicsburg, Pa., and Wilbern, Christine, 59, Mechanicsburg, Pa.

Liptak, Charles, 46, Annapolis, and Fox, Hazel, 46, Annapolis.

Kicklighter Jr., Keith, 26, Glen Burnie, and Blanton, Eva, 24, Glen Burnie.

Lane, Tyrone, 32, Glen Burnie, and Chew, Tameka, 28, Glen Burnie.

Jackson, Antoine, 28, Odenton, and Austin, La Keisha, 25, Odenton.

Harris, Jeremy, 23, Millville, N.J., and Quigley, Erin, 23, Arlington, Va.

Bishop Jr., James, 26, Crofton, and Baldwin, Deborah, 23, Crofton.

Stephenson, Kevin, 34, Easton, and McIlveen, Dianne, 31, Easton.

Fisher, Justin, 31, Portland, Maine, and Whitney, Jennifer, 33, Portland, Maine.

Plude, Dane, 23, Annapolis, and Mays, Shelby, 25, Annapolis.

Pollarine, Ian, 30, Glen Burnie, and Shenton, Jill, 26, Glen Burnie.

Sheckells, Mark, 46, Glen Burnie, and Line, Cynthia, 45, Glen Burnie.

Koerber, Brad, 26, Glen Burnie, and DiPerna, Kimberly, 22, Linthicum.

Habana, Candido, 22, Annapolis, and Siguenza, Ena, 20, Annapolis.

Schmitt, Mark, 30, Centreville, Va., and Brown, Corey, 28, Centreville, Va.

Powell, Derek, 33, Abingdon, and Vincent, Heater, 35, Abingdon.

Martin, Jon, 44, Halethorpe, and Krell, Kerrie, 26, Halethorpe.

Kosovan, Ihor, 44, Philadelphia, and Grishanov, Lada, 37, Philadelphia.

Blotkamp, Paul, 42, Gaithersburg, and Hagen, Jutta, 39, Gaithersburg.

Anderson II, Aaron, 34, Lanham, and McGhee, Santquanita, 31, Lanham.

Townsend, David, 30, Annapolis, and Bickerton, Casey, 29, Marydel.

Rubin, Gary, 36, Annapolis, and Zekrina, Larisa, 26, Annapolis.

Christiansen III, Victor, 29, Waldorf, and Mark, Cynthia, 32, Riverdale.

Rothamel Jr., William, 25, Odenton, and Richardson, Audrey, 24, Odenton.

McGuire Jr., Chuckie, 25, Crownsville, and Avery, Jasmyne, 23, Severn.

Johnson, Jerry, 41, Pasadena, and Burkart, Kris, 42, Pasadena.

Sweitzer, Charles, 36, Jessup, and Thomas, Shari, 45, Jessup.

Frank, Peter, 59, Annapolis, and Chutima, Araya, 34, Annapolis.

Webb, Richard, 27, Annapolis, and Calka, Caryn, 31, Annapolis.

Lowing, Jacob, 21, Grandville, Mich., and Martin, Tara, 22, Edgewater.

Jacinto, Jaime, 27, Annapolis, and Marquez, Ana, 18, Annapolis.

Schaeffer, Nicholas, 22, Churchton, and Oliff, Crystal, 22, Churchton.

Berdnyk, Andrii, 22, Annapolis, and Byrd, Rachel, 19, Edgewater.

McDowney, Robert, 33, Shady Side, and King, Melody, 31, Baltimore.

Lau, Jonathan, 26, Herndon, Va., and Poznaniak, Christine, 26, Abingdon.

Meyer, Douglas, 41, Annapolis, and Novak , Aimee, 39, Annapolis.

Lamprey, Travis, 20, Millersville, and Vanorsdale , Maria, 21, Hanover.

Lynch Jr., James, 29, Pasadena, and Evans, Crystal, 26, Pasadena.

Reed, William, 18, Baltimore, and Bosse, Amber, 16, Baltimore.

Moriarty, Russell, 26, Odenton, and Feng, Lung-Whei, 26, Odenton.

Roozen, Nicholas, 28, Clinton, and Buchanan, Theresa, 25, Odenton.

Hall, Michael, 23, Baltimore, and Smith, Alexius, 24, Baltimore.

Ward, Douglas, 48, Annapolis, and Smith, Rebecca, 25, Annapolis.

Kronk, Kenneth, 28, Deale, and Porter, Tiffany, 25, Deale.

Daniels, Gregory, 54, Arnold, and Thompson, Janice, 62, Annapolis.

Smith, William, 48, Baltimore, and LeBon, Mossie, 52, Baltimore.

Wells Jr., Charles, 62, Annapolis, and Griffin, Renita, 48, Linthicum.

Talwar, Puneet, 42, New Dehli, India, and Young, Chelsea, 32, New York, NY.

Ballinger, Barry, 39, Pasadena, and Norton, Michelle, 29, Pasadena.

Zulauf, Timothy, 21, Pasadena, and Cary, Shannon, 21, Pasadena.

Carlton, Charles, 60, Crofton, and Sweeney, Bernadette, 52, Crofton.

Bary, Jonathan, 31, Newport, R.I., and McAlister, Lauryn, 30, Severna Park.

Cucina Sr., Aaron, 26, Glen Burnie, and Destefano, Cristina, 24, Glen Burnie.

Santos, Rudy, 22, Crofton, and Uria, Tatiana, 23, Crofton.

Janz, Peter, 31, Annapolis, and Maillefert, Cathryn, 29, Annapolis.

Henning, Kevin, 21, Ft. Wayne, Ind., and Edmiston, Brittany, 20, San Angelo, Texas.

Conley, Christopher, 25, King George, Va., and Scott, Kelly, 22, King George, Va.

Aytch, Thomas, 37, Glen Burnie, and Evans, Shannon, 26, Glen Burnie.

Rimorin, Kenneth, 60, Pasadena, and Tillett, Sherry, 55, Pasadena.

Hodapp, Paul, 23, Byron, Ill., and Morris, Lindsay, 24, Annapolis.

Riester, Peter, 24, Pensacola, Fla., and Lundholm, Ashton, 22, Upper Marlboro.

Majors, Brian, 26, Baltimore, and Stoian, Lauren, 28, Baltimore.

Evans, William, 28, Burke, Va., and Terranova, Shannon, 25, Burke, Va.

Marshall, Michael, 38, Glenndale, and McMinn, Melissa, 31, Glenndale.

Scaff, Gregory, 47, Annapolis, and Hendrick, Nyla, 37, Annapolis.

Becker 3rd, Andrew, 22, Glen Burnie, and Wolf, Kathryn, 22, Glen Burnie.

Olszowy, David, 49, Pasadena, and Rogozhe, Validia, 31, Pasadena.

Hill II, Ernest, 31, Glen Burnie, and Mutispaugh, Beth, 31, Glen Burnie.

West, Jason, 24, Baltimore, and Price, Brittney, 23, Baltimore.

Rodriguez, Rafael, 40, Bowie, and Moreno, Yolima, 35, Bowie.

Smith, Paul, 26, Houston, and Duncan, Ashlee, 25, Houston.

Orie, Kevin, 44, Rockville, and Stout, Tracy, 41, Annapolis.

Long, Dale, 45, Lothian, and Landreth, Bobbie, 35, Lothian.

Marks, Michael, 28, Chesapeake, Va., and Darling, Danielle, 26, Chesapeake, Va.

Flores, Rafael, 23, Glen Burnie, and Quintana, Anderlin, 23, Glen Burnie.

White Jr., John, 29, Pasadena, and Blueford, Lisa, 26, Pasadena.

Faro Jr., Timothy, 23, Glen Burnie, and Gadow, Krysta, 20, Glen Burnie.

White, John Jr., 29, Pasadena, and Blueford, Lisa, 28, Pasadena.

Faro Jr., Timothy, 23, Glen Burnie, and Gadow, Kryste, 20, Glen Burnie.

Woo, Johnny, 29, Glen Burnie, and Ramirez, Kristine, 30, Glen Burnie.

Garrity, James, 27, Burtonsville, and Legenos, Megan, 27, Burtonsville.

Mech Jr., Richard, 39, Queen Anne, and Mackenzie, Kamie, 36, Queen Anne.

Hincken, Robert, 69, St. Augustine, Fla, and O’Neil, Patricia, 55, St. Augustine, Fla.

Lemrow, Justin, 29, Reston, Va, and Tarricone, Celeste, 31, Washington, D.C.

Taylor, Deondrea, 26, Bowie, and Young, Shari, 39, Bowie.

Morgan Jr., George, 27, Odenton, and Carter, Megan, 25, Crofton.

Wilcox, Jeffrey, 31, Baltimore, and Zang, Penny, 27, Baltimore.

Markowski, Alexander, 37, Arnold, and Cho, De’Borah, 31, Baltimore.

Washington, Calvin, 41, Glen Burnie, and Brown, Charlene, 49, Severn.

Lee, Jason, 36, Reddick, Fla., and Mahoney, Katie, 38, Reddick, Fla.

Adams, Matthew, 27, Glen Burnie, and Williams, Michelle, 27, Glen Burnie.

Anderson, John, 28, Pasadena, and Norfolk, Amy, 27, Pasadena.

Fletcher III, Walter, 32, Odenton, and Ritte, Amanda, 23, Odenton.

Posner III, Paul, 26, Bowie, and Weager, Allison, 23, Bowie.

Pollay, Gary, 55, Brooklyn Park, and Gootee, Tammy, 36, Brooklyn Park.

Jones, Jason, 39, Millersville, and Steelman, Valerie, 36, Millersville.

Swientek, Jeffery, 39, Crofton, and Young, Alisha, 37, Crofton.

Godack, Erik, 26, Abingdon, and Wright, Kimberlee, 24, Abingdon.

DiFatta, Ryan, 27, Pasadena, and Parrotte, Bonnie, 28, Pasadena.

Bolling, Randy, 46, Millersville, and Stourt, Roberta, 46, Millersville.

Beck, James, 26, Nottingham, and Moyer, Danielle, 23, Nottingham.

Kinard Sr., Londel, 30, Harwood, and Mister, Jennifer, 28, Harwood.

Weeks, Nana, 21, Silver Spring, and Wuver, Marie, 19, Silver Spring.

Hudson, Christopher, 25, Pasadena, and Picolo, Casey, 26, Pasadena.

Gaffigan, Robert, 23, Silver Spring, and Jackson, Jeannine, 22, Silver Spring.

Lloyd, Brandon, 23, Edgewater, and Hammersla, Amber, 21, Edgewater.

Hart, Zachary, 31, Edgewater, and Kaczorek, Wendee, 30, Edgewater.

Kauffman, Scott, 24, Severna Park, and Algarin-Marquez, Yadira, 36, Severna Park.

Rosales, Francisco, 32, Pasadena, and Lopez, Posa, 33, Pasadena.

Presta, Lucas, 20, Odenton, and Lucanas, Carmen, 18, Columbia.

Sensenig, Jesse, 23, Lothian, and Mowry, Brandi, 23, Womelsdorf, Penn.

King, Dana, 27, Davidsonville, and Lindner, Chrissy, 25, Davidsonville.

Swann, Bradley, 40, Edgewater, and Joyce, Stephanie, 33, Edgewater.

Hammond, Robert, 42, Pasadena, and Moskavich, Valerie, 49, Pasadena.

Thompson, Eric, 37, Odenton, and Young, Julie, 22, Odenton.

Cassidy, Brian, 37, Edgewater, and McAndrew, Kimberly, 37, Annapolis.

Brown, Roy, 59, Selbyville, Del., and Van Orden, Kathleen, 57, Arnold.

Newnan, Ryan, 22, Mount Airy, and Ditty, Ashley, 21, Mount Airy.

Ortiz, Jose, 25, Glen Burnie, and Chavez, Marleny, 24, Glen Burnie.

Godhard, Trent, 29, North Beach, and Bowley, Ashley, 25, North Beach.

Ford, Mark, 28, Crownsville, and Foss, Sandra, 31, Crownsville.

Taylor Jr., Michael, 19, Pasadena, and Bitzer, Chelsia, 17, Pasadena. {Corrections:} {Status:}

(c) 2008 Capital (Annapolis). Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

SWARTZ CREEK, Mich., Oct. 10 /PRNewswire/ — Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy announced today that Teva Neuroscience has selected Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy to be one of only three sites to participate in a large scale, national Therapy Optimization Study for Multiple Sclerosis (TOP MS).

The goal, of the two year TOP MS study, is to examine the benefits of a specialty pharmacy therapy management program on compliance, adherence and patient outcomes. Targeted patient outcomes will include: Relapses, Disability Progression, Quality of Life, and Work and Usual Activity Participation.

“We are honored that Teva Neuroscience selected Diplomat to participate in this study,” said Phil Hagerman, President and CEO of Diplomat. “I have no doubt that the TOP MS study will validate the benefits of our patient centric model. When we focus on adherence and tolerance, and offer patients a personalized medication program, we can reduce the frequency and severity of relapses and ultimately improve the quality of life.”

“Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy was selected to participate in this study because they have shown a commitment to therapy management in MS that is exemplary among Specialty Pharmacies,” said MerriKay Oleen-Burkey, Project Leader for the TOP MS Study at Teva Neuroscience.

“This really is a credit to Diplomat’s industry leading MS Navigator program that currently benefits physicians and especially MS patients across the country,” said Ken Visser, Diplomat’s National Accounts Manager for Multiple Sclerosis. “At Diplomat we maximize therapy adherence by enhancing patient education and prescriber communication. Using our exclusive eNAV(TM) patient care software system, we can electronically record and report our patients’ therapy and disease. All of this combined amounts to some of the highest patient adherence numbers in the country.”

About Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy

Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy is the nation’s largest independently held Specialty Pharmacy and focuses on complete medication management programs for patients with serious and chronic conditions. Key programs include: Oncology, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn’s and Psoriasis. Other specialty areas include Transplant, Fertility, Dialysis Medication Management, Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy and Specialty Compounding. The company also specializes in Disease Management programs for Chronic Kidney Disease patients, as well as Home and Out-Patient Infusion. With locations in Flint, Swartz Creek and Grand Rapids, MI; Cleveland, OH; Chicago, IL; and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Diplomat services the specialty pharmacy needs of patients and physicians nationwide.

About Teva Neuroscience

Teva Neuroscience is the branded neurological products franchise of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and is responsible for the development, registration and marketing for Teva’s branded neurological products in North America. Teva Neuroscience has administrative, commercial marketing, and other leadership functions based in Kansas City, MO at its North American headquarters, as well as a facility in Horsham, PA, home to the company’s clinical research activities and regulatory functions, and an office in Montreal, Quebec, headquarters for the company’s Canadian presence.

   Contact:  Ken Visser, National Accounts Manager for Multiple Sclerosis   Phone:    616-242-1082   Fax:      616-454-9095   Email:    [email protected]  

Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy

CONTACT: Ken Visser, National Accounts Manager for Multiple Sclerosis,Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy, +1-616-242-1082, Fax: +1-616-454-9095,[email protected]

Web site: http://www.diplomatpharmacy.com/

The Fargo VA Medical Center has scheduled walk-in flu clinics for all eligible, enrolled veterans at the locations listed below. recommended for those 65 or older and those who have lung, heart, metabolic and weakened immune systems.

Bismarck VA Clinic

Oct. 29, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Nov. 4, 5, 10, 12, 18 and 19, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Minot VA Clinic

Starting Wednesday, every Wednesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., all patients must call ahead (701-727-9800) for an appointment to gain access to the Minot Air Force Base.

Williston VA Clinic

Nov. 6 and 20, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Dickinson VA Clinic

Starting Monday, patients can receive their flu shot by scheduling an appointment.

Jamestown VA Clinic

Oct, 28, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Oct. 31, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Questions can be referred to the Fargo VA Medical Center Eligibility Office at 800-410-9723, ext. 9-3427 or 9-3428.

(c) 2008 Bismarck Tribune. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

Researchers seek to understand, and improve, virus that can infect lung cancer cells

The 3-D structure of the virus, known as Seneca Valley Virus-001, reveals that it is unlike any other known member of the Picornaviridae viral family, and confirms its recent designation as a separate genus “Senecavirus.” The new study reveals that the virus’s outer protein shell looks like a craggy golf ball “” one with uneven divets and raised spikes””and the RNA strand beneath it is arranged in a round mesh rather like a whiffleball.

“It is not at all like other known picornaviruses that we are familiar with, including poliovirus and rhinoviruses, which cause the common cold,” says the study’s senior author, Associate Professor Vijay S. Reddy, Ph.D., of The Scripps Research Institute. “This crystal structure will now help us understand how Senecavirus works, and how we can take advantage of it.”

The Senecavirus is a “new” virus, discovered several years ago by Neotropix Inc., a biotech company in Malvern, Pennsylvania. It was at first thought to be a laboratory contaminant, but researchers found it was a pathogen, now believed to originate from cows or pigs. Further investigation found that the virus was harmless to normal human cells, but could infect certain solid tumors, such as small cell lung cancer, the most common form of lung cancer.

Scientists at Neotrophix say that, in laboratory and animal studies, the virus demonstrates cancer-killing specificity that is 10,000 times higher than that seen in traditional chemotherapeutics, with no overt toxicity. The company has developed the “oncolytic” virus as an anti-cancer agent and is already conducting early phase clinical trials in patients with lung cancer.

But the researchers still did not know how the virus worked, so they turned to Reddy. He and his Scripps Research team, especially Sangita Venkataraman, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher, determined the Senecavirus crystal structure.

Reddy describes the differences they found between other picornaviruses and the Senecavirus as like variations among car models of the same manufacturer. “The chassis is the same, but the body style is different,” he says. “How the body of a virus is shaped determines how it infects cells.”

The structure of the Senecavirus is also depicted at http://viperdb.scripps.edu/, the “Virus Particle Explorer” developed at Scripps Research by Reddy and his colleagues. The online database is a worldwide resource for information on the structure of viral particles; it contains details of 253 viruses to date.

Once the structure of Seneca Valley Virus-001 was solved, researchers went on to identify several areas on the viral protein coat that they think might hook onto receptors on cancer cells in the process of infecting them. The researchers are now conducting further investigations on this process. “It will be critically important to find out what region of its structure the virus is using to bind to tumor cells, and what those cancer cell receptors are,” Reddy says. “Then we can, hopefully, improve Senecavirus enough to become a potent agent that can be used with many different cancers.”

In addition to Reddy and Venkataraman , authors of the study, “Structure of Seneca Valley Virus-001, an oncolytic picornavirus representing a new genus,” are Seshidhar P. Reddy, Neeraja Idamakanti, and Paul L. Hallenbeck of Neotropix Inc. and Jackie Loo of Scripps Research.

The research was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health.

—

Image Caption: Senecavirus. Credit: Scripps Virus Particle Explorer

—

On the Net:

• Scripps Research Institute
• Structure

By SANDRA J PENNECKE

By Sandra J. Pennecke

Correspondent

As Darwin Byrd sat in a medical waiting room, he noticed an elderly patient sitting there as well. She was waiting for her transportation back home after an early morning appointment.

That lack of timeliness was something he noticed a lot with local medical transportation services.

As time wore on into the afternoon, the woman suddenly collapsed and was rushed into the emergency room.

“She went into diabetic shock. That was the straw that broke the camel’s back. I thought I can do this better,” said Byrd, who worked in the civilian sector’s medical industry following retirement as a Navy corpsman.

So he decided to open his own transportation service and offer the highest pinnacle of care and compassion.

Byrd, along with his wife, Tribion, and longtime friends, Earl and Linda Henderson started Accent Transport Services, Inc. in January.

Tribion Byrd, of Great Bridge, is a retired Navy payroll dispensing clerk and Earl Henderson, who lives in Virginia Beach, retired from the Navy as a senior chief after 26 years. Linda Henderson boasts more than 30 years of work experience in customer service-related fields.

“Everybody brings something to the table,” said Linda Henderson. “But, our ultimate goal is the same,” said Tribion Byrd.

What they offer is a sense of professionalism, punctuality, courtesy and integrity; all of the factors Darwin Byrd felt were missing and needed.

“We did research and found that people want reliability first, safety second, professionalism third and lastly price,” he explained.

Each underwent background checks, urinalysis, took defensive driving classes, CPR and first aid, ordered uniforms and ID badges and trained with the Alzheimer’s Association, Senior Services and other local institutions. “We’ve had training on most things that most people wouldn’t think of,” said Darwin Byrd.

Accent offers their door-to-door non-emergency medical transport service to private parties, community groups, hospitals, clinics and medical groups, physical therapy clinics, dental offices, nursing homes, dialysis, cancer treatment, rehabilitation and adult day care centers throughout Hampton Roads. Their fleet of vehicles includes wheelchair accessible vans, a sports utility vehicle and 15- passenger van.

Stephanie Spruill, office assistant for orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Tommy Osborne said, “Accent transports a lot of our patients. They offer personalized care and it’s nice to have a company that, for a change, picks patients up in a timely manner.”

That’s why Michael Paris, a Virginia Beach resident, relies on Accent for transportation to and from his dialysis treatments three days a week.

“I used another company in the past and they were terrible. They’d pick me up when they felt like it and sometimes I’d be late for an appointment. My son found Accent and I thank God he did. I know that they’ll take good care of me,” said Paris.

“We establish a relationship and put people at ease. When someone calls us they don’t have to worry about transportation anymore,” said Darwin Byrd, “It’s not about us, it’s about them and offering peace of mind.”

“We see a lot of illness, but we get so much out of it. Life is a journey and after all at some point, any of us could be on the other side,” added Linda Henderson.

Sandra J. Pennecke, [email protected]

Accent Transport Services, Inc.

Where 124 Robert Hall Court, Suite 101

Chesapeake, VA 23324

Phone 605-0605

Visit www.accent-transport.com

Hours 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday

Originally published by BY SANDRA J. PENNECKE.

(c) 2008 Virginian – Pilot. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

Akorn, a provider of sterile specialty pharmaceuticals, has received the FDA approval of NDA 22-221 for Akten ophthalmic gel 3.5%, a topical, ocular anesthetic formulation.

The new drug application (NDA) was filed on June 29, 2007 following the results from a randomized, placebo controlled, Phase III clinical trial in 209 subjects who met the primary endpoint in all three dosing arms (p

Akten is a novel, unit dose, preservative free lidocaine gel product, stored at room temperature and intended to be used in any ocular procedure that requires a topical anesthetic agent.

The major procedures include cataract surgery, refractive surgery, Lasik surgery, and intravitreal injection. Akorn has filed two US patents and one international patent on the formulation and method of use of Akten.

Arthur Przybyl, president and CEO of Akorn, said: “We expect Akten to become the standard of care whenever an ocular anesthetic is prescribed. Akten will be manufactured at our Somerset, New Jersey facility and will be marketed directly to hospitals and ophthalmologists with a targeted detail sales effort, by our 65 sales representatives.”

Chembio Diagnostics, a provider of proprietary rapid diagnostic tests, has obtained approval from the FDA to extend the testing age range for its HIV rapid point-of-care tests to individuals 13 years of age and older.

Lowering the testing age claim from 18 years of age to 13 is consistent with the latest US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations that routine screening for HIV be performed on all patients 13 to 64 years of age, the company said.

A clinical study was designed to evaluate the performance of the company’s FDA-approved rapid tests, marketed exclusively in the US by Inverness Medical Innovations, as Clearview Complete HIV 1/2 and Clearview HIV 1/2 Stat-Pak.

The Laboratory of Viral Diagnostics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, performed the study for Chembio on four separate specimen matrices from each study participant: fingerstick capillary whole blood, venous whole blood, serum and plasma. The participants each had a confirmed, known HIV positive status.

Based upon the results of the studies and other related information provided to the FDA, the pre-market approval supplement was approved to expand the indications of use section to include the pediatric sub-population 13-17 years of age.

Lawrence Siebert, chairman and CEO of Chembio, said: “We are pleased that our rapid HIV tests can now be used for the full range of individuals that should be routinely tested for HIV as recommended by the CDC. This will increase the opportunity for testing and early diagnosis and could subsequently lower infection rates as patients become aware of their HIV status.”