By Tina Sykes

Michael Charles Metil, 14, will never benefit from a new state law that provides for screening of newborns for 29 disorders. When the Blairsville boy was born in Hershey, the state did not screen for glutaric acidemia 1, or GA-1, the body’s inability to break down amino acids for energy.

It usually strikes in the first decade of life during an illness such as the common flu, according to Dr. William Zinnanti of Penn State University.

The undetected metabolic disorder profoundly changed Michael Metil’s life when he was 11 months old.

He fell ill, vomited and went to sleep.

“He was still laughing and went to sleep and woke up with brain damage,” said his father, Michael Metil. “All we would have had to do the night Michael threw up would have been to take him to the hospital and put him on glucose.”

There is no treatment to repair brain damage associated with GA- 1, which left the boy disabled.

Metil has been a 12-year member of the American Society for Neural Therapy and Repair, which is seeking treatment to repair damage wrought by neurologic disorders.

“About a year or two after Michael suffered brain damage, my mission was: If I could repair his brain damage, then we could help other people,” Metil said.

He also is starting a Brain Repair Association in Western Pennsylvania to advocate for those affected by stroke, traumatic brain injury or other brain disorders.

“The No. 1 goal is to repair brain damage,” said Metil, citing the hope of stem cell research and umbilical cord cell transplants. “I want to start a support group, a communication among different people with brain injuries, brain disorders, brain disease and caregivers.”

Short-term objectives are “to share information, what works, what hasn’t worked, what’s on the horizon; talking to caregivers and getting a regional group going. Long-term objectives, after a year, to do fundraising, to do research, have political influence,” he said.

Metil envisions giving the campaign “a celebrity — somebody either inflicted with a brain disorder or a celebrity with a family member who is inflicted with a brain disorder.”

Mary Newman, a researcher in the neurosurgery department at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, works closely with Metil.

“My laboratory is researching the feasibility of using human umbilical cord blood cells to treat GA-1. The premise of the study is because GA-1 is an auto-recessive metabolic disease of the cells that the infant is born with, in theory we should be able to deplete these ‘bad’ cells in the body and replace them with healthy new cells that will not have this disease,” Newman said.

Umbilical cord cells have been used for more than 15 years to treat children with various disorders “with excellent outcomes,” Newman said.

Researchers will implant umbilical cord cells into mice after inducing a model of GA-1 in one group.

Newman said infants diagnosed at birth can control the disorder with a low-protein, low-lysine diet.

“If we can transplant before the infant has a full metabolic crisis, the new cells may be able to stop this disease. For Michael’s case and the other children already with full GA-1, we need to see if transplanting the cells after will diminish the symptoms,” she said.

The Brain Repair Association will be a nonprofit modeled after the International Organization for Glutaric Acidemia, which Metil founded to enhance early detection of metabolic disorders, prevention of neurologic damage and to repair brain damage.

“Mike Metil is a wonderful, ambitious person who deeply cares for his son and other children faced with this and other terrible diseases,” Newman said. “I believe any person who can put together an association, care for his son, work and still keep a sane, good- natured outlook on life is someone I want in my life and someone I am willing to help in any way possible.”

(c) 2008 Tribune-Review/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

By Dr Ong Hean Teik

I GRADUATED as a medical doctor in 1983, and have been running a specialist heart clinic since 1994. I have written articles for Lancet, Journal of the American Medical Association, Singapore Medical Journal and British Medical Journal among others. I regularly lecture at meetings for doctors. I was the president of the Penang Medical Practitioners’ Society in 2000, and the chairman of the Penang branch of the Malaysian Medical Association in 1994.

I was visited on Sept 11 by four inspectors of the Penang Health Department as part of the ministry’s post-registration check. They were not interested in my publications or in the two patients who were successfully resuscitated in my clinic. Instead, they measured my doors and floor, took multiple photographs of rooms, corridor and toilet, then looked at my financial accounts and randomly picked up case notes to examine.

An officer then told me that diazepam (valium) is listed as a dangerous drug and I should be personally handing them to the patient and not just writing the prescription.

After they left, I checked with the Pharmacy Enforcement Division of the state Health Department and was told by the officer in charge that valium is not a dangerous drug but listed as a psychotropic. Furthermore, it is present policy to have it prescribed by a doctor, and dispensed by a dispenser under the doctor’s supervision.

Before the inspectors left, they took my photograph, in full view of all my staff and patients, saying they had been instructed to do so. I am left feeling like a criminal who has just been visited by the police.

I write to raise these points:

* Two ministers of health and the director-general have publicly stated that the Private Healthcare Act is not designed to penalise legitimate doctors or to harass them. Why then is the Ministry of Health sending inspectors to measure my doors and floor, and to take photographs of my consultation room and the clean, tidy toilet?

* Which section of the Healthcare Act requires that the inspectors look at my financial records, and patient case-notes? I recall that the director-general was very emphatic in press statements that case records are strictly confidential documents.

* Why is it necessary to photograph me, as the police do on arresting a criminal?

* How can an officer of the ministry be unaware that valium is not listed as a dangerous drug, but is a psychotropic?

* When will the ministry be enforcing the new regulation that valium must now be personally given to patients by the prescribing doctor? In my conversation with colleagues in private clinics and hospitals, no doctor is at present personally dispensing valium. Has such a major change been discussed with the medical societies?

* Patients had to wait as I and my staff attended to the inspectors during the whole hour they were present. Can the ministry consider doing such inspection after clinic hours, so as not to interfere with patient care, since inspection seems to be all about immobile physical structures and previous paperwork?

DR ONG HEAN TEIK

Penang

(c) 2008 New Straits Times. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

By Pam DeFiglio

pdefiglio@@dailyherald.com

Karen Kallimani is ready for any allergies her two sons will face this spring. She’s armed with homeopathic medicine, which she considers a potent weapon.

She uses it for many different health problems.

If a workout leaves the Mount Prospect mom sore or her 12- and 14- year-old sons strain muscles in sports, she turns to a homeopathic medicine called arnica for relief.

She uses a homeopathic combination remedy made by a company called NatraBio to ease one son’s wheat and dairy intolerances.

She discovered homeopathic remedies back when her sons were teething and she was looking for medicine safe for infants. Hyland’s teething tablets, a homeopathic formulation, relieved their pain.

“It’s almost within minutes that you feel relief,” she says. For pain, “the alternative would be acetaminophen, which we’re discovering is not good for the liver.”

Homeopathic remedies are a class of medicines that work in a different way than pharmaceuticals – a fact that has led some doctors to champion them and others to criticize them.

In general, though, Americans are warming up to homeopathy. It’s one of the alternative medicine practices being bolstered by scientific research.

“We believe as many as 54 million Americans use homeopathy in some form each year. That has dramatically increased in the past 10 years,” says Peter Gold, communications director for the National Center for Homeopathy and a biologist. “As usage increases, conventional doctors are becoming more aware of it and more accepting.”

The FDA regulates homeopathic medicine, and it’s widely accepted in Europe and other parts of the world.

Homeopathy is based on the “like cures like” principle, which says that a tiny amount of an illness-producing substance can stimulate the body to heal.

For example, slicing an onion causes you to sneeze and your eyes to water. So one of the homeopathic remedies for sneezing and watery eyes (usually a result of allergies) is allium cepa, the Latin name for onion.

The medicines are made from plants, minerals and animals. Some of the source substances are gentle, like daisies, others poisonous, like arsenic, poison ivy or deadly nightshade.

However, manufacturing the medicines requires a series of dilutions, often 30 or more, rendering them safe, Gold says.

The research documenting homeopathy’s effectiveness is not as complete as it is for pharmaceuticals, but positive results have begun coming out of studies in recent years.

Clinical research done at major universities and published in reputable medical journals has reported homeopathy to be effective for many conditions, including ear, nose and throat ailments, attention deficit disorder, sepsis, fibromyalgia and childhood diarrhea.

One of homeopathy’s chief advantages is safety, a fact advocates like to bring up in a time when several major pharmaceutical drugs have been recalled for adverse effects.

“The only way you’d ever get hurt by homeopathic remedies is if a box of them fell on you,” says Dr. Patrick Massey, medical director for alternative and complementary medicine for Alexian Brothers Hospital Network in the Northwest suburbs and a Daily Herald columnist.

“It’s unbelievably safe.”

While some doctors are not convinced that homeopathy works, voices as authoritative as the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine are calling for homeopathy to be a tool in the doctor bag.

Dr. Iris Bell, a University of Arizona professor who has done research on homeopathy for NIH, says, “There are some very large- scale observational studies with results pretty universally positive in favor of homeopathy.

“I think it has great potential for being helpful to many people.”

Pick the right one

As a family practice doctor in Lombard, Dr. Timothy Fior practices exclusively homeopathy.

When a patient comes to see him for the first time, he spends about two hours taking a detailed medical history so he can prescribe the right remedy out of the 200 or so he commonly uses, or the thousands of rarer ones available.

For minor, temporary ailments, such as colds, coughs, indigestion or muscle soreness, he suggests simply going to a health food store and picking out a combination homeopathic remedy geared to that ailment.

For example, Boiron, a manufacturer of homeopathic medicine, makes a popular remedy for colds called Coldcalm.

Combination remedies often include five or six of the most common homeopathic medicines used to treat that condition.

“If they don’t help you, it doesn’t mean that homeopathy doesn’t work,” Fior says. “It just means that of the thousands of homeopathic remedies, you haven’t found the right ones at the right strength.”

Homeopathy can treat many chronic and acute illnesses, he says.

Cancer, type 1 diabetes and low thyroid are some of the conditions it cannot treat. Fior refers patients with such conditions to other doctors. Sometimes he works with those doctors, using homeopathy to help patients feel better after radiation and chemotherapy.

Bell notes that, for minor complaints, patients can research and experiment with homeopathic medicines on their own. If patients have a serious illness, though, she cautions, they should get to an M.D. right away so as not to lose valuable treatment time.

She has seen homeopathy used successfully for autoimmune diseases, allergies, migraine headaches, infections, sprains, fractures and ADHD.

A fracture or broken bone would, of course, require a trip to the emergency room and a visit to an orthopedic specialist. However, homeopathic medicine can help in a complementary way, such as reducing swelling and pain and speeding healing, says Gold.

Locally, people turn to homeopathy for many medical issues.

Dave Reczek of Lisle suffered severe vertigo from Meniere’s disease. Doctors prescribed Valium but he didn’t like the “out of it” way it made him feel. After five years of searching, he found a homeopathic remedy called cocculus that relieved his symptoms.

He has also used homeopathic medications for flu, a sty and insomnia.

Homeopathic medicines generally come with instructions to take them 15 minutes before or after eating, and not in conjunction with strong flavors like coffee or mint, which can negate their effects.

Does it work?

A German physician, Samuel Hahnemann, discovered homeopathy in the 1700s. He was searching for safer treatments than those that existed in his day.

He based his research on the “like cures like” principle, also called the Law of Similars, which Hippocrates wrote about 2,000 years ago.

Hahnemann figured out how to dilute the substances and make the medicines, then tested them on healthy volunteers to document their effectiveness, Gold says.

Modern critics such as Dr. Steven Novella, a Yale University assistant professor, and others say research studies have not conclusively proven homeopathy works. Gold and Bell respond that, while results have been mixed in the past, more recent studies have supported homeopathy’s effectiveness.

Gold cites studies published in medical journals, such as Rheumatology, Pediatrics and The Lancet. The studies found evidence of homeopathy working in a wide variety of chronic and acute conditions. Some examples include arthritic diseases, neurological problems and skin afflictions such as chronic eczema.

“There are a large number of high-quality studies that show homeopathy is effective, and more than a placebo,” Gold says.

Massey, of Alexian Brothers, explains it’s hard to do double- blind research studies because homeopathic treatments are so highly individualized to the patient.

For example, a relatively healthy young patient with early diabetes might get a different remedy than an older, cigarette- smoking, overweight patient with diabetes. That, he says, makes it hard to study how well homeopathic remedies work in diabetes patients.

Anecdotally, many people who take homeopathic medicines report positive results.

“Seventy to 90 percent of patients report significant benefits from treatment,” Bell reports.

Fior in Lombard says, “In practice, we see these things seem to work quite well.”

No recalls here

The last word on homeopathy may be “safety.” Parents of small children recently watched in frustration as drugstores pulled cough syrups off the shelves; patients who took Heparin and Vioxx have worried as pharmaceutical manufacturers pulled those drugs off the market for safety reasons.

“Homeopathy is very safe and nontoxic. It’s even safer than herbal medicines, because of the dilution,” says Fior.

That makes it one of the few choices for pregnant women and newborns.

Practitioners say that while drug interaction poses a risk if a patient is taking more than one pharmaceutical, this is not a risk with homeopathic medicines due to their gentleness.

“By the time you’re on five drugs, you’ve doubled your risk of a drug interaction,” Fior says. “By nine medications, you’ve tripled your risk.”

Fior says he can sometimes find one homeopathic remedy to treat all of a patient’s symptoms – such as respiratory allergies, eczema and asthma – instead of the two or three pharmaceuticals they had been taking.

“This is a great moment for medicine,” says Gold. “We can make it nontoxic – or at least a lot less toxic.”

(c) 2008 Daily Herald; Arlington Heights, Ill.. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

By Eric Eyre

Andrea Acton and Yvonne James don’t look sick, but they could die anytime.

Acton and James have a disease called sarcoidosis, an immune system disorder. The disease causes inflammation that produces tiny lumps of cells, called granulomas, in their bodies’ organs.

Last month, comedian Bernie Mac, who had sarcoidosis, died of pneumonia. Pro football Hall of Famer Reggie White, a defensive end with the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles, also died from heart complications, most likely caused by sarcoidosis.

There’s no cure for the disease, and the cause is unknown.

“It’s scary,” said James, who lives in Cross Lanes. “It makes your immune system non-effective. When people like Bernie Mac die, you realize the seriousness.”

She and Acton, who lives in Big Chimney, recently met through an online chat group for people with sarcoidosis. They’ve decided to start a support group of their own here in West Virginia, the first of its kind in the state.

The group, which plans to meet monthly at Elk River Church of the Nazarene in Mink Shoals, will include sarcoidosis patients, family members, friends and doctors.

“It takes all of those people to make it through your life,” said Acton, 29.

She was diagnosed with sarcoidosis in 2005 after a lung biopsy.

In previous years, she had a bad cough. Her body would get hot suddenly, then cold.

“I couldn’t breathe,” recalled Acton, a former phlebotomist who worked at Charleston Area Medical Center. “I was really sick. I felt like I was going to die.”

James, 57, had similar symptoms. She was diagnosed with sarcoidosis in 1993.

“Just taking a shower made me short of breath,” she said.

Sarcoidosis can form in any part of the body, but it usually starts in the lungs or lymph nodes.

The disease occurs mostly in people ages 20 to 40. In the United States, the disease most often affects African-Americans, especially women. People of Asian, German, Irish, Puerto Rican and Scandinavian descent also are at risk of having the chronic illness.

Many people with sarcoidosis have no symptoms. Sometimes, the disease is mild and goes away within a few years, even without treatment. In others, sarcoidosis slowly gets worse and can cause permanent organ damage.

“Our lungs could collapse at any time,” Acton said.

Sarcoidosis is usually treated with prednisone, an anti- inflammatory drug.

Because the disease can affect so many organs, Acton and James see about 10 physician specialists. It’s not unusual for them to have four doctors’ appointments a week.

Both women also had to quit their jobs to battle the disease.

“You’re feeling fine one moment, the next you’re sick,” said James, who uses a pacemaker to control her heart’s irregular rhythm – caused by sarcoidosis.

Acton said she sometimes must wear a mask over her mouth during the winter months to protect against colds that can flare up to full- blown pneumonia in just a few days.

“I could sleep for 19 hours strong and still feel tired,” Acton said. “I look fine, but by this evening, I may not be able to get out of bed.”

Acton and James said West Virginia has no doctors who specialize in sarcoidosis. They sometimes travel to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and the Cleveland Clinic for treatment.

“If anything, you have to step up and advocate for yourself,” Acton said.

Acton and James said the disease is especially hard on families of sarcoidosis patients.

“It’s a silent killer,” said Acton’s husband, Curtis. “The disease is slowly killing them, and there’s nothing I can do. It’s hard to understand what they’re going through. It’s tough on us as a family.”

Acton and James have designed a symbol – a purple ribbon dotted with snowflakes – for their support group.

Like a snowflake, no two people with sarcoidosis are alike. The disease affects different organs in each person. Symptoms are different.

“When someone with sarcoidosis dies, we say another snowflake has fallen,” Acton said.

Acton and James hope their group will increase awareness of sarcoidosis in the Kanawha Valley and the rest of the state. They want to educate and empower people with the disease.

“Five years ago, one of my doctors gave up on me,” James said. “He said I was just going to slowly die. Well, I’m still here.”

For information about the group, contact Acton and James at 550- 7229 or 545-0922, or e-mail them at [email protected] or [email protected].

Reach Eric Eyre at [email protected] or 348-4869.

Originally published by Staff writer.

(c) 2008 Charleston Gazette, The. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

To: NATIONAL EDITORS

Contact: Joan Gorden of Mayo Clinic, +1-507-284-5005 (days), +1- 507-284-2511 (evenings), [email protected]

ROCHESTER, Minn., Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — As part of its mission to train the next generation of physicians and scientists, the Mayo Clinic Center for Translational Science Activities (CTSA) offers the Health Disparities Field Experience, a unique course through Mayo Graduate School. For this years fieldwork, course scholars and faculty are joining with the Center for Minority Health (CMH) at the University of Pittsburghs Graduate School of Public Health in its innovative program called Take a Health Professional to the People Day on Sept. 18, 2008. This event has been recognized nationally with a feature on the Web site of the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH) (http://ncmhd.nih.gov/spotlight/ ncmhdSLite.asp).

Health disparities — the gaps in health care access and outcomes among different populations — lead to higher rates of chronic illness, disability and death from preventable causes for minorities. Now in its seventh year, Take a Health Professional to the People Day deploys teams of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists and public health educators to 10 barbershops and beauty salons in inner-city Pittsburgh to deliver health information and health screenings to customers. In 2007, 150 health professionals screened more than 556 African-Americans in these neighborhood settings.

Three scholars from CTSAs postdoctoral programs will travel to Pittsburgh and join local health professionals for this years events. They are Sencan Solay Unal, M.D., a psychiatrist enrolled in Mayos KL2 Mentored Career Development Program; and cardiologists Yoel Korenfeld Kaplan, M.D., and Hari Chaliki, M.D., who are pursuing masters degrees in Clinical and Translational Science.

Accompanying the scholars will be W. Charles Huskins, M.D., associate director for CTSA Education Resources; Eddie Greene, M.D., director of Health Disparities curriculum development and director of the Office of Diversity at Mayo Clinic Rochester; Jacquelyn Gosse, external collaborations coordinator for the CTSA; and Lisa Schrader, program coordinator for the Mayo Health System Practice- Based Research Network. During their weeklong visit to Pittsburgh, the Mayo Clinic team will also meet with the local community research advisory board and participate in activities with another CMH program, the Healthy Black Families Project.

We see this hands-on fieldwork in Pittsburgh as a great opportunity for our scholars, faculty and staff to observe programs that are making a real difference in addressing health disparities in minority communities, says Dr. Huskins, the Health Disparities course director. Our goal is to bring back ideas and techniques that we can apply in Olmsted County and surrounding communities to help us reach minority and underserved populations through improved health care and medical research.

Why take health education efforts to barbershops and beauty salons?

These settings are effective because they are familiar community assets and trusted institutions in African-American neighborhoods where people gather to connect and exchange information. Far too many African-Americans have no medical home to access health care services, so government programs that promote taking a loved one to the doctor are not as effective for this community, explains Stephen B. Thomas, Ph.D., director of CMH and the Philip Hallen Professor of Community Health and Social Justice. Therefore, CMH created Take a Health Professional to the People Day. By focusing our efforts on a single day, we believe we can help generate a greater understanding of the importance of regular health screenings while at the same time reaching people who tend to have the least access to health care. In addition, the program serves as an excellent training opportunity for health professionals, who benefit from engaging minority populations outside of the clinical environment.

The first step to addressing the significant health disparities that plague minority and underserved populations in the U.S. is building trust by reaching out to them in a familiar environment — their own communities, says Sherine Gabriel, M.D., director of CTSA Education Resources. The goal of our collaboration with Dr. Thomas and the Center for Minority Health is to help our students, faculty, researchers and physicians learn and apply these innovative community outreach strategies here at Mayo Clinic. Whether were working with racial or ethnic minorities or underserved rural populations, we believe these strategies will make us more effective in reaching everyone in our service area and improving the health of our communities.

For more information about the Mayo Clinic Center for Translational Science Activities, visit http://ctsa.mayo.edu.

For more information on the Health Disparities course and fieldwork and other Mayo Clinic CTSA Education Resources activities, contact Karen Weavers at 507-284-1275 or visit http:// ctsa.mayo.edu.

For more information about Take A Health Professional to the People Day, the NIH-NCMHD Research Center for Excellence in Minority Health Disparities, and other activities of the University of Pittsburgh Center for Minority Health, visit http:// www.cmh.pitt.edu/.

To obtain the latest news releases from Mayo Clinic, go to www.mayoclinic.org/news. MayoClinic.com (www.mayoclinic.com) is available as a resource for your health stories.

SOURCE Mayo Clinic

(c) 2008 U.S. Newswire. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

Tafford Uniforms, a leading supplier of nursing scrubs, shoes, and medical accessories, today announced that two students have been awarded the Tafford Uniforms Nursing Scholarship. Charla Walker and Nathan Brimmer are respectively the fifth and sixth recipients of the Tafford Scholarship, which was first awarded in June 2007.

Charla Walker has been awarded the scholarship to assist in her pursuit of an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Bevill State Community College, in Hamilton, Alabama. Charla, who grew up in a single parent, low income family, works two jobs in addition to attending school and volunteering at two local hospitals. Charla strives to achieve a successful career in nursing not only for herself, but to help her family as well.

“Some people never try to make their life better, but I strive to. I have already set many goals for myself and reached them,” said Walker. After completing her Associate’s Degree, Walker plans to pursue her Bachelor’s Degree and eventually become a nurse practitioner.

Nathan Brimmer, a student at Central Maine Medical Center School of Allied Health Sciences pursuing his Associate’s Degree in Nursing, is an active Wilderness First Responder and first-aid teacher. Brimmer realized he wanted to pursue a career in nursing after volunteering in a New Orleans health clinic after Hurricane Katrina. Nathan’s time in New Orleans reminded him of the plight of those in his home state of Maine who lack quality affordable healthcare.

“My experiences in New Orleans have left me compelled to advance my training to a level that will allow me to provide vital services in my home community, as well as in future disaster scenarios,” said Brimmer.

“Nathan and Charla demonstrate the dedication and perseverance required to succeed in the nursing field,” said Gene S. Godick, CEO and co-owner of Tafford Uniforms. “We are proud to help them achieve their goals and help fill the critical need for nursing professionals in our country.”

Tafford Uniforms anticipates awarding additional $1,000 scholarships in early 2009. To apply for a Tafford Uniforms Nursing Scholarship, please visit: http://www.tafford.com/scholarship.htm.

About Tafford Uniforms

Tafford Uniforms is a leading manufacturer and retailer of nursing uniforms, scrubs, accessories, and footwear. For over 20 years, millions of customers have looked to the Tafford brand for the best in style, quality, customer service, and value. For more information, visit www.tafford.com.

 Contact Info: David Kaplan 215-643-9666 Email Contact

SOURCE: Tafford Uniforms

BUFFALO, N.Y., Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — CTG , an international information technology (IT) solutions and services company, announced today that CTG HealthCare Solutions (CTGHS), its business unit serving healthcare providers, was named by Modern Healthcare to its annual ranking of the 20 largest healthcare management consulting firms. CTGHS was ranked eighth on the 2008 list, based on its 2007 revenue in the healthcare provider consulting market. CTGHS was also eighth in the 2007 survey.

The list appears in the September 1, 2008, issue of Modern Healthcare, a publication of Crain Communications, a publishing company providing vital news and information to industry leaders and consumers.

“We are pleased to be recognized by Modern Healthcare as the eighth largest of the top 20 healthcare consulting providers,” said James R. Boldt, CTG Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “CTG’s long-time focus on the healthcare market enables us to provide industry-specific technology and business solutions to a large and growing market which has unique and highly specialized needs. Our success at supporting the needs of the healthcare industry is the major contributor to the growth CTG is currently experiencing.”

CTG supports the healthcare provider market through its business unit, CTG HealthCare Solutions, which provides clinical, financial, and operational IT and business solutions to healthcare institutions, physician practices, and related organizations. Additionally, CTG serves the healthcare payer and the life sciences market through separate practices within its healthcare business. Collectively, these businesses contributed approximately 25% to CTG’s total 2007 revenue of $325.3 million.

Modern Healthcare compiled the list based on 2007 healthcare revenue from provider consulting fees. The source was Modern Healthcare’s 3rd annual Management Consultant Firms Survey. For more information about this list, visit http://www.modernhealthcare.com/.

CTG HealthCare Solutions is a leading information technology consulting firm dedicated solely to helping healthcare institutions, physician practices, and related organizations achieve clinical and financial goals through effective technology and business solutions. More information about CTGHS is available on the Web at http://www.ctghs.com/.

Backed by over 40 years’ experience, CTG provides IT solutions and services to help our clients use technology as a competitive advantage to excel in their markets. CTG combines in-depth understanding of our clients’ businesses with a full range of integrated offerings, best practices, and proprietary methodologies supported by an ISO 9001:2000-certified management system. Our IT professionals based in an international network of offices in North America and Europe have a proven track record of delivering high-value, industry-specific solutions. CTG serves companies in several industries and is a leading provider of IT and business consulting solutions to the healthcare market. CTG posts news and other important information on the Web at http://www.ctg.com/.

This document contains certain forward-looking statements concerning the Company’s current expectations as to future growth. These statements are based upon a review of industry reports, current business conditions in the areas where the Company does business, the availability of qualified professional staff, the demand for the Company’s services, and other factors that involve risk and uncertainty. As such, actual results may differ materially in response to a change in such factors. Such forward-looking statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s disclosures set forth in the Company’s 2007 Form 10-K and Management’s Discussion and Analysis section of the Company’s 2007 annual report, which are incorporated by reference. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this release.

Today’s news release, along with CTG news releases for the past year, is available on the Web at http://www.ctg.com/.

   CONTACT:   Richard Dye, Director of Marketing Communications   (716) 887-7306   [email protected]  

ctgx-g

CTG

CONTACT: Richard Dye, Director of Marketing Communications of CTG,+1-716-887-7306, [email protected]

Web site: http://www.ctg.com/http://www.ctghs.com/http://www.modernhealthcare.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/198025.html

DOYLESTOWN, Pa., Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The Quigley Corporation , http://www.quigleyco.com/, announced positive results from a follow up study conducted by its wholly owned subsidiary, Quigley Pharma, http://www.quigleypharma.com/, designed to examine the ability of its veterinary anti-viral compound QR448(a) to prevent the transmission of Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) from infected to non-infected 2 week old commercial broiler chickens, a consumer meat type bird. After the 14 day study only 4% of the birds treated with QR448(a) contracted IBV from previously infected birds versus 22% of birds that contracted IBV from previously infected birds and were not treated with QR448(a). This data shows that treating these birds with QR448(a) produced a statistically significant 5.5 fold decrease in the transmission of IBV compared to birds that were not treated with the QR448(a) compound.

Veterinary poultry products industry experts and those familiar with prevention and control of IBV recognize that abating transmission is perhaps one of the most important ways to economically prevent, control and manage potential losses due to IBV outbreaks.

The Company recently announced positive results of a study to determine the duration of anti-viral effect of QR448(a) against IBV in commercial broiler chickens, which indicated that 1 day old commercial broilers, when treated with QR448(a) were protected 50-100% of the time from the clinical pathogenic effects of IBV for up to 4 days compared to 0-20% of the time in un-treated birds.

The Company plans to continue to build on these recent positive results to improve its potential commercial and partnering prospects.

Dr. Richard Rosenbloom Executive VP and COO of Quigley Pharma stated: “In addition to observing the positive effects of preventing transmission of a particularly challenging viral isolate, these results have also demonstrated that the QR448(a) compound can effectively be applied to a larger population of birds and in an environment that closely resembles a commercial scale.”

Dr. Mark Jackwood Professor, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, who conducted the study, stated: “By demonstrating the ability of QR448(a) to significantly decrease transmission of Arkansas vaccine virus, this experiment directly addresses an extremely important problem of persistence of this isolate in commercial broiler flocks and the potential for managing a real industry problem by limiting persistence and reducing outbreaks. This work also shows that QR448(a) is effective against a different IBV serotype, indicating that it has the potential to control all infectious bronchitis viruses regardless of virus type. In addition, spray treatment of QR448(a) is fast, extremely easy, and suitable for mass delivery of the compound to thousands of commercial birds.”

   About the Study:    --  Two colonies of 120 two week old commercial broiler chickens were       housed in 8' X 8' colony houses. Twenty birds from each colony were       identified and infected with a full dose of the commercially available       Arkansas type IBV vaccine virus and isolated for 2 hours.  Due to       safety, exposure and handling concerns of IBV in a large scale       experiment, Arkansas type vaccine virus was recognized as a comparable       surrogate for this investigation. The infected birds were reintroduced       to their colony after which time one colony of birds were spray       treated with 1ml of a 1:20 dilution of QR448(a) and the other colony       was not spray treated.    --  At 3, 7, 10 and 14 days post treatment, 25 non-infected and 5 infected       birds were removed and their tracheas swabbed and tested for the       detection and transmission of virus from infected to non-infected       birds.    --  It was demonstrated clearly that the QR448(a) treated colony showed a       statistically significant 5.5 fold reduction in transmission of virus       at 14 days post-exposure [(P value, less than and/or equal to 0.1) One       way analysis of variance, Student's test] and a non-statistical 3 fold       reduction was observed at 10days post-exposure compared to the colony       that was not treated with QR448(a).    --  Serology, necropsy and clinical observations confirmed that other       avian pathogens and or immune-suppression had not influenced the       results and were consistent with exposure to a non-pathogenic vaccine       virus.    --  Since QR448(a) has been shown previously to be effective against       pathogenic isolates of IBV and now against Arkansas vaccine virus, it       is expected that it will also limit transmission of pathogenic IBV in       broilers and thereby decrease the severity of the disease.   

The Quigley Corporation makes no representation that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or any other regulatory agency will issue an investigational new animal drug number or allow this compound to be marketed for IBV. Furthermore, no claim is made that the potential medicine discussed here is safe, effective, or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

About The Quigley Corporation

The Quigley Corporation is a diversified natural health medical science company. Its Cold Remedy segment is a leading marketer and manufacturer of the COLD-EEZE(R) family of lozenges, gums and sugar free tablets clinically proven to cut the common cold nearly in half. COLD-EEZE customers include leading national wholesalers and distributors, as well as independent and chain food, drug and mass merchandise stores and pharmacies. The Quigley Corporation has wholly owned subsidiaries; Quigley Manufacturing Inc. consists of two FDA approved facilities to manufacture COLD- EEZE(R) lozenges as well as fulfill other contract manufacturing opportunities and Quigley Pharma Inc. (http://www.quigleypharma.com/) conducts research in order to develop and commercialize a pipeline of patented botanical and naturally derived potential prescription drugs.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve known and unknown risk, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statement. Factors that impact such forward-looking statements include, among others, changes in worldwide general economic conditions, changes in interest rates, government regulations, and worldwide competition.

   CONTACT: Media                     Investor Relations   Karen Pineman                      Carl Hymans   G.S. Schwartz & Co.                G.S. Schwartz & Co.   212.725.4500                       212.725.4500   [email protected]              [email protected]  

Quigley Corporation

CONTACT: Media: Karen Pineman, [email protected], or InvestorRelations: Carl Hymans, [email protected], both of G.S. Schwartz & Co.,+1-212-725-4500, for The Quigley Corporation

Web Site: http://www.quigleyco.com/http://www.quigleypharma.com/

A recent study conducted by taste and hearing experts at the University of Florida College of Dentistry suggests that “people with a serious history of childhood ear infections appear to be about 70 percent more likely to be obese than those with no history.”(i) The majority of infection-causing bacteria enter the body through the nose — often attaching themselves to nasal tissue in the upper respiratory tract and Eustachian tubes causing sinus and ear infections. Keeping the nasal passages clean and hydrated with Xlear Saline Nasal Spray with Xylitol can enhance the body’s natural cleansing processes and help to flush out harmful pollutants and bacteria.

“The published study by the University of Florida indicated that chronic ear infections may damage a vital taste-sensing nerve in kids, which may influence the types and amount of foods they like to eat, particularly sweet and fattening foods,” commented Blaine Yates, chief executive officer of Xlear, Inc. “The researchers went as far to say that ‘without question those with otitis media weighed more'(ii) than those without. Xlear Nasal Spray acts as a natural hydrator and cleanser, and given this report, keeping the nasal passage clean has never been more important.”

Xlear Nasal Spray is an all-natural saline and xylitol spray that washes and moisturizes the nasal passages thereby helping the body to keep dirt, pollutants, and pollens from adhering to the nasal tissues and sinuses while increasing the natural moisture flow process. Washing the nose with a hyperosmolar solution, such as Xlear Saline Nasal Spray helps to flush out irritants that can lead to ear and sinus discomfort. Because Xlear is all natural, it can also help to reduce the dependence on over-the-counter or prescription medications. Xlear Nasal Spray can be used as often as needed by adults and children. It is non-medicated and non-habit forming, and has no side-effects or artificial preservatives. The spray can be used daily and year-round.

The University of Florida study is also supported by other studies conducted by researchers and scientists at the University of Connecticut, the Otitis Media Research Center at the University of Minnesota, and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). The University of Connecticut study concluded that people with taste nerve damage preferred sweets and high-fat foods. The University of Minnesota scientists found that ear infections that require tubes can lead to higher body mass index in toddlers, while NIDCD research discovered that children who were treated for ear infections by having their tonsils removed were at a greater risk of being overweight.

Yates added, “We have learned a lot about ear infections over the past several years as issues of anti-biotic resistance and now connections to obesity are raising awareness for the health problem. It is important that parents consider all options available to help their children avoid suffering from ear infections and any possible future health issues. Tens of thousands of people around the world trust Xlear Nasal Spray as an all natural complement to their other health practices.”

For more information about Xlear Saline Nasal Spray with Xylitol, please visit Xlear.com. Xlear is available nationwide through Xlear’s several thousand retail partners, as well as at Xlear.com.

About Xlear, Inc.

Founded in 2000, Xlear, Inc. (pronounced “clear”) is recognized as one of the leading manufacturers of xylitol products, and one of the largest importers of xylitol in the United States. Xlear, Inc. is committed to providing consumers with the health benefits of xylitol by manufacturing all-natural, health-enhancing products. Xlear, Inc. offers Xlear Saline Nasal Spray with Xylitol, an award-winning, patented saline and xylitol solution; a complete line of dental health products under the Spry Dental Defense System brand; XyloSweet, raw xylitol crystals used as a sugar substitute in cooking, baking and general consumption; and Fine & Dandy Candy, a growing line of healthy, xylitol-based candies. Xlear, Inc. is a private company with headquarters in Orem, Utah.

 (i)  Aleccia, JoNel, "Early ear infections may pack on pounds later,"      August 28, 2008, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26391940/ (ii) ibid 

 Media contact: Kevin Wilson Email Contact 513.898.1008  

SOURCE: Xlear, Inc.

Hospital nurses are dispensing medications faster than ever and reporting more efficient workflow with newly redesigned AcuDose-Rx(R) automated medication cabinets from McKesson. Operating on the latest Connect-Rx(R) software platform, Version 6.8, the cabinets enable significant reductions in medication dispensing time and provide substantially greater inventory management capabilities.

The new Connect-Rx release makes AcuDose-Rx the only unit-based cabinet on the market to integrate with point-of-care administration tools and pharmacy automation equipment. As a result, hospitals can provide greater patient safety and process efficiency at a low cost.

At 468-bed Spartanburg Regional Medical Center in South Carolina, nurses have been benefiting from the new AcuDose-Rx features for five months. The cabinets are linked via the Connect-Rx software platform to multiple automation systems in the medical center’s pharmacy, medication rooms, and patient care areas. “The new AcuDose-Rx functionality has led to improved nursing workflow and reduced wait times at the cabinet while also ensuring patient safety and security,” said pharmacy manager Brian Nesemeier. “The nurses especially love the new FastEntry(TM) biometric identification log-in. They were surprised and delighted at how easy it is to use and how much time it saves.”

The new Connect-Rx software also helps to produce inventory savings by optimizing use of the McKesson MedCarousel(R) automated medication storage and retrieval system. At 546-bed Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, K.S., Connect-Rx software Version 6.8 has been in use on the hospital’s four MedCarousel units for more than six months. “This software release has had a significant positive impact on our daily operations,” said Bob Ragan, pharmacy manager. “We now can manage inventory in real-time, we have enhanced shelf space utilization, and we have seen improvements in pharmacy workflow and productivity.”

For MedCarousel, the new software calculates optimal medication inventory, projects when the pre-set minimum/maximum levels are at risk, and automatically selects the drugs for re-order. This helps reduce medication stock issues, increase inventory turns and decrease the amount of time required to pick orders.

Other new AcuDose-Rx cabinet features powered by Connect-Rx Version 6.8 software include scanning of manufacturer bar codes to verify medications for storage and dispense, and the ability to quickly search all medicine cabinets across a hospital. The software allows hospitals to more easily dispense medication kits, issue under- and over-dose warnings and enforce organizational policies for drug substitution.

Yet another advantage of AcuDose-Rx cabinets is that they integrate with the McKesson CarePoint Connect(TM) mobile point-of-care enabling software. CarePoint Connect enables nurses to access a patient’s medication profile, create and queue a dispense list so medications are waiting at the cabinet, and alert the pharmacy of a missing medication, refill request, or other information. Nurses also get cabinet-level access to the First DataBank hospital-wide drug library.

“The Connect-Rx integrated software platform surpasses all industry functionality on the market today,” said Dave Souerwine, president of McKesson’s Automation Solutions Group. “It’s viewed by industry experts as at least two generations ahead of competing software solutions. Connect-Rx provides the foundation that hospitals need to deliver safe, cost-effective care, and enables hospitals to maximize their investment while improving safety and workforce productivity.”

About McKesson

McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 18th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to helping its customers deliver high-quality healthcare by reducing costs, streamlining processes, and improving the quality and safety of patient care. McKesson is the longest-operating company in healthcare today, marking its 175th anniversary this year. Over the course of its history, McKesson has grown by providing pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management across the spectrum of care; healthcare information technology for hospitals, physicians, homecare and payors; hospital and retail pharmacy automation; and services for manufacturers and payors designed to improve outcomes for patients. For more information, visit http://www.mckesson.com.

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire/ — A panel of leading breast cancer experts has identified and prioritized 12 late-stage, or Phase 3, breast cancer research studies, from a total of more than 515 currently underway, with the greatest potential to improve treatment and survival.

The 21 experts, all members of the Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Group’s Scientific Leadership Council (SLC) in Breast Cancer outlined their consensus — Research Priorities in Breast Cancer: Recommendations of the Scientific Leadership Council in Breast Cancer of the Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups — at a meeting of physicians, researchers, patient advocates, and government and industry representatives in Dallas September 12-13, and urged physicians to enroll as many of their eligible patients into the trials as possible. The SLC in Breast Cancer was chaired by Julie Gralow, MD, associate professor, University of Washington School of Medicine, and Director, Breast Medical Oncology at UW’s Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and Edith Perez, MD, Director of the Breast Cancer Program, Division of Hematology/Oncology, and Department of Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.

Together, the priority studies require patient enrollment of nearly 43,500. To date, about 17,400 patients have been enrolled, leaving more than 26,000 patients still needed for these studies. Enrollment of breast cancer patients in publicly funded studies averages about 9,300 annually(i); the number of breast cancer patients on privately funded studies is not known. More rapid enrollment and timely completion of these studies can quicken the pace of diagnostic and treatment advances by resolving clinical questions such as:

— How to predict the impact of biological effects of chemopreventive agents with the development and validation of new, clinically relevant biomarkers

— How to design, select – and afford – individualized cancer therapy in an era of escalating costs for biologic treatments

— How, when and whether to use chemotherapy in breast cancer treatment for some patients

— How to best incorporate novel approaches, including biophosphonates in breast cancer treatment to reduce the risk of bone metastases

— How best to address the growing issue of long term neurotoxic and cognitive side effects in breast cancer survivors

— How to design clinical trials that can be completed more efficiently including randomized discontinuation trials or “adaptive” trial designs that require fewer patients and/or shorter study duration.

Six of the studies are for patients with early-stage breast cancer, three are studies investigating the use of drugs to shrink tumors or eliminate cancer cells prior to surgery, two are in advanced breast cancer, one focuses on quality of life, and one on effectiveness of partial over whole breast irradiation. A molecular/genetic profiling study will determine whether some women typically treated with chemotherapy in addition to hormonal therapy based on clinical characteristics may not need chemotherapy.

Breast cancer remains the most common malignancy in women in the U.S. and is the second most common cause of cancer death. In 2008, it is estimated that 182,460 new cases of invasive and 67,770 cases of in situ breast cancer will be diagnosed in women and 40,480 women will die from the disease.

The SLC also emphasized the importance of connecting patients to priority trial information. Research conducted by the Coalition and Northwestern University shows that only 15 percent of all breast cancer patients are aware of the clinical trial option at time of diagnosis. The Coalition’s TrialCheck(R), Internet-based cancer clinical trial navigation and matching system of all federally registered cancer studies, is designed to help close this information gap by electronically linking patients to hospitals and practices near their home offering cancer clinical trials relevant to the patient’s individual medical needs.

   Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups   1818 Market Street, Suite 1100, Philadelphia, PA 19103 (215) 789-3600   http://www.cancertrialshelp.org/    (i) Baseline Study of Patient Accrual onto Publicly Sponsored US Cancer       Clinical Trials: An Analysis Conducted for the Global Access Project       of the National Patient Advocate Foundation.  Coalition of Cancer       Cooperative Groups, Philadelphia, PA.  February 1, 2006 (Study Period:       01/01/03 - 06/30/05).  

Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups

CONTACT: Diane D. Colaizzi, Media Relations, +1-215-789-3612,[email protected], or Pat Garrison, Media Relations,+1-973-313-0554, [email protected], both for Coalition of CancerCooperative Groups

Web site: http://www.cancertrialshelp.org/

By DAMIEN HENDERSON

SCOTLAND’S poor weather, specifically its lack of sunlight, is to blame for a greater range of health problems than has previously been admitted by government officials, a report published yesterday claimed.

Health writer Oliver Gillie called for an overhaul in public health policy to ensure that Scots received daily vitamin D supplements and maximised their exposure to sunlight.

He found that, due to its latitude, Scotland receives 30-50per cent less UV light capable of producing vitamin D than much of England.

In winter, this left almost 90per cent of Scots with inadequate levels of vitamin D, while more than half did not get enough in summer.

In Scotland’s Health Deficit: An Explanation and a Plan, he linked this vitamin deficiency to higher rates of chronic diseases including several cancers, heart disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, high blood pressure, arthritis and diabetes (types 1 and 2) , arguing that Scotland’s health policy has lagged behind other countries, such as Germany and Canada, which recognised the importance of topping up vitamin D levels.

His conclusions appear to have been taken seriously by leading health experts and public officials, including Harry Burns, Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer, who called them an “important contribution” to public health debate.

Mr Burns added: ” It is important attempts to improve health in Scotland remain focused on action on the social, economic, behavioural and psychological determinants of health. If vitamin D supplements can be shown to contribute we will make the appropriate recommendations.”

The report contains a list of key action points, including recommending daily supplements, allowing “megadoses” containing up to 50 times the current daily dose, overhauling outdated advice to take in scientific advances regarding vitamin D levels and introducing legislation which would allow drug manufacturers to advertise the health benefits of the supplements.

The rethink on UV exposure would also require consideration of whether current advice against over-exposure to the sun and use of sunbeds and tanning salons should be recalibrated to take in their benefits, Mr Gillie argued.

As well as offering a possible explanation for health differences between Scotland and England, Mr Gillie’s findings chime with established research which shows a health gap between the west of Scotland and the rest of the country. Residents in the west including Glasgow, were found to be particularly susceptible to low vitamin D levels due to the predominance of wet, westerly winds which lead to far less sunlight than found in Aberdeen and other areas along the east coast.

They also suggest a reason for the “Scottish effect” – the difference in health outcomes that Scotland suffers, even when social and economic factors are discounted.

Professor Phil Hanlon, one of Scotland’s leading experts on public health, based at Glasgow University and who coined the term, said Mr Gillie’s research opened up some interesting possibilities “It’s a genuinely interesting theory. But – and it’s a big but – we need conclusive evidence that if we give vitamin D it will help anyone. Until we have such evidence we should be cautious about taking such an approach.”

Originally published by Newsquest Media Group.

(c) 2008 Herald, The; Glasgow (UK). Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: REGN) and Columbia University today announced that they have entered into an agreement that will provide researchers at Columbia University Medical Center with access to Regeneron’s VelocImmune technology to discover fully human monoclonal antibodies. Under the agreement, scientists at Columbia will use VelocImmune mice to generate antibodies against their research targets and will conduct research to discover potential human therapeutics based on the antibodies. Regeneron has an exclusive option to license the antibodies for development and commercialization as therapeutic or diagnostic products.

“Columbia and Regeneron have entered into several research collaborations, where Regeneron has provided valuable research materials to Columbia scientists,” said Ofra Weinberger, Director, Office of Science and Technology Ventures, Columbia University. “Now, our investigators are looking forward to gaining access to the VelocImmune platform for creating fully human, therapeutic, monoclonal antibodies.”

“VelocImmune is the only antibody platform that allows researchers with limited antibody-production resources to create high affinity, well-expressing, fully human antibodies in their own laboratories,” said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., President of Regeneron Research Laboratories. “Participation in the Academic VelocImmune Investigators Program gives university scientists the unique opportunity to translate their research, insights, and discoveries directly into potential antibody therapeutics for the treatment of human diseases. Regeneron is proud to initiate this program with Columbia University, one of the most prominent research institutions in the world, and is planning to expand the program to include other leading universities and research institutes.”

About VelocImmune and the Regeneron VelociSuite of Technologies

Regeneron has developed and validated a group of novel technology platforms, known as the VelociSuite of technologies, to improve its ability to develop new product candidates. VelociGene(R) and VelociMouse(TM) are designed to aid in the identification of specific genes of therapeutic interest for a particular disease or cell type and validate targets through high-throughput production of mammalian models. VelocImmune increases the speed and efficiency of fully human, therapeutic, monoclonal antibody development and is currently being used to generate antibodies to address clinically relevant targets of therapeutic interest. The VelocImmune mouse, unlike other hMAb mice, mounts a robust immune response that is virtually indistinguishable from that of a wild type mouse, resulting in a reliable and efficient platform for discovering fully human monoclonal antibodies.

About Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Regeneron is a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and commercializes medicines for the treatment of serious medical conditions. In addition to ARCALYST(R) (rilonacept) Injection for Subcutaneous Use, its first commercialized product, Regeneron has therapeutic candidates in clinical trials for the potential treatment of cancer, eye diseases, and inflammatory diseases and has preclinical programs in other diseases and disorders. Additional information about Regeneron and recent news releases are available on Regeneron’s web site at www.regeneron.com.

About Columbia University Medical Center

Columbia University Medical Center provides international leadership in basic, pre-clinical and clinical research, in medical and health sciences education, and in patient care. The medical center trains future health care leaders at the College of Physicians & Surgeons, the Mailman School of Public Health, the College of Dental Medicine, the School of Nursing, the biomedical departments of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and allied research centers and institutions. CUMC (www.cumc.columbia.edu) is home to the largest medical research enterprise in New York City and state and one of the largest in the United States. Columbia University’s technology transfer organization, Science and Technology Ventures, serves as a bridge between Columbia’s researchers and the business community. STV’s core objective is to facilitate the transfer of inventions from academic research to outside organizations for the benefit of society on a local, national and global basis. For more information on STV, visit http://www.stv.columbia.edu.

Forward Looking Statement

This news release discusses historical information and includes forward-looking statements about Regeneron and its products, development programs, finances, and business, all of which involve a number of risks and uncertainties, such as risks associated with preclinical and clinical development of Regeneron’s drug candidates, determinations by regulatory and administrative governmental authorities which may delay or restrict Regeneron’s ability to continue to develop or commercialize its product and drug candidates, competing drugs that are superior to Regeneron’s product and drug candidates, uncertainty of market acceptance of Regeneron’s product and drug candidates, unanticipated expenses, the availability and cost of capital, the costs of developing, producing, and selling products, the potential for any collaboration agreement, including Regeneron’s agreements with the sanofi-aventis Group and Bayer HealthCare, to be canceled or to terminate without any product success, risks associated with third party intellectual property, and other material risks. A more complete description of these and other material risks can be found in Regeneron’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008. Regeneron does not undertake any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise unless required by law.

Somnus Therapeutics, Inc. (“Somnus”), a private specialty pharmaceutical company developing a controlled-release drug as a sleep-maintenance therapeutic to treat insomnia, today announced the initial four members of its board of directors:

— Gary Cupit, PharmD, chief executive officer of Somnus;

— Linda C. Hogan, MS, MBA, chief business officer at Somnus and executive in residence at Care Capital LLC;

— David Ramsay, MBA, partner at Care Capital LLC, and

— Jack W. Britts, president and CEO of Merz Pharmaceuticals USA.

“Jack Britts has joined the board as our first independent director. His experience launching several of the top ten pharmaceuticals — including one of the world’s most successful products to treat insomnia — will be invaluable as we move through development of SKP-1041,” said Gary Cupit. “We expect to add additional directors as we advance through clinical development.”

Gary Cupit’s pharmaceutical industry experience also includes many product launches (e.g., Tagamet(R), Androderm(R) and Hycamtin(R)). Prior positions include president of Enzo Therapeutics, Inc.; president and CEO of specialty pharmaceutical company Sapphire Therapeutics, Inc.; global business development and licensing at Novartis, Knoll Pharmaceutical, and The Medicines Company; and sales, product management and new product development at SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals. Earlier, his academic and consulting experience in clinical pharmacy included faculty positions at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center; the University of California, San Francisco; the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Tennessee, Memphis.

As executive in residence at Care Capital, Linda Hogan assists in the evaluation of investment opportunities and supports the formation of new companies. She was previously vice president and US group head for global business development at Aventis (now Sanofi-Aventis) and held various positions in strategic planning and finance and R&D as well as business development. She has also served various faculty appointments at the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy and Kansas University Medical Center and is currently on the School of Pharmacy’s Advisory Council.

Jack Britts brings to the Somnus board more than 20 years executive experience at US and international pharmaceutical companies, including launches of several top-ten prescription drugs. Previous positions include group vice president, marketing and commercial planning at Sepracor, Inc., where, among other product development activities, he was responsible for the commercialization of LUNESTA(R); and vice president, GI therapeutic area leader at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, where he led development of the US clinical, regulatory and commercial strategy for lifecycle management of the PPI portfolio, including Prilosec(R) and Nexium(R).

About Somnus Therapeutics

Somnus was founded in 2007 by Gary Cupit along with Care Capital, a life sciences venture capital firm based in Princeton, New Jersey. In June 2007, Somnus entered into an exclusive agreement with SkyePharma PLC for the worldwide development and commercialization of its sleep therapeutic, SKP-1041. Under the agreement, SkyePharma will formulate and manufacture SKP-1041, a new controlled-release formulation of a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic agent, using SkyePharma’s Geoclock(TM) technology.

For more information please visit the Somnus web site at www.somnusthera.com.

NeurAxon Inc., a developer of next-generation pain therapeutics, today announced the appointment of Thomas Lategan, DPhil to the position of Vice President, Regulatory Affairs for the Company. Dr. Lategan was most recently Vice President, Regulatory Affairs of Panacos Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where he was responsible for interactions with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), establishing regulatory compliance and heading project management for the company’s lead drug candidate. Dr. Lategan has over twenty years of experience in pharmaceutical regulatory affairs and project management.

“Tom’s proven track record with the FDA, including two FDA Advisory Committee meetings and three drug approvals, as well regulatory strategy and protocol design will be extraordinarily valuable for NeurAxon,” said Lawrence Bloch, MD, JD, CEO of NeurAxon. “We are especially pleased to welcome Tom to the Company at this time as his experience will contribute directly to our current transition from serial to parallel clinical development of our product candidates from our internally generated pipeline for the treatment of serious pain indications.”

“I am excited to join NeurAxon as it enters the next phase of its mission to bring a pipeline of first-in-class therapeutics to patients living with pain,” said Thomas Lategan, DPhil, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs of NeurAxon. “The recent results with NXN-188 and migraine with aura illustrate the great potential of nNOS inhibition as a treatment approach for patients suffering with particularly severe migraine.”

Prior to joining Panacos in 2007, Dr. Lategan was Vice President, Regulatory Affairs at Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc., during which time he led the compilation and submission of the approved NDA for Tracleer(R) to the FDA and managed subsequent interactions with the Agency. He also drove approval of Zavesca(R) in the US following its unsuccessful application by a previous sponsor. From 1997 to 2000, Dr. Lategan held the position of Vice President, Regulatory Affairs at the Medicines Company where he was responsible for the successful completion and submission of the NDA for Angiomax(R). Dr. Lategan also took a lead role in planning and managing several clinical and pre-clinical studies. He held a series of management positions at Hoffman-La Roche and Roche Laboratories from 1988 through 1997. Dr. Lategan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacology from the University of Aberdeen and earned his doctorate in Pharmacology from the University of Oxford. He completed a post-doctoral research fellowship at the University of Miami School of Medicine.

About NeurAxon Inc.

NeurAxon Inc. (www.neuraxon.com) is a leader in discovering and developing next-generation pain therapeutics focused on the inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), an enzyme involved in modulating pain and central nervous system neuronal sensitization.

Health Care Systems, Inc. (HCS), a leading provider of medication safety solutions and the market leader in medication reconciliation solutions, has entered into an agreement for HCS Medication Reconciliation with Swedish Medical Center, the Northwest’s largest and most comprehensive medical center. Swedish has three hospital locations in Seattle, an emergency room and specialty center in Issaquah (East King County), and more:

— Swedish Medical Center/Ballard

— Swedish Medical Center/First Hill

— Swedish Medical Center/Cherry Hill (formerly Providence)

— Swedish Medical Center/Issaquah

— Swedish Home Care

— Swedish Physicians network of 12 primary care clinics

— Multiple specialty clinics

This 3 hospital campus has consistently been named as the area’s best hospital by independent research companies. HCS is excited to work with Swedish Medical Center to help meet their goals of providing the best, most compassionate care possible.

HCS Medication Reconciliation enables reducing preventable adverse medication events, promoting operational efficiencies, and improving compliance with The Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goal 8a. HCS Medication Reconciliation provides hospitals with the ability to retrieve community pharmacy prescription fill and refill information at the time of patient admission, making improvements in medication reconciliation processes and patient safety.

“HCS looks forward to working with Swedish Medical Center. HCS Medication Reconciliation will help Swedish meet their goals of clinician time savings and increased patient safety,” said Dwight Henderson, CEO, HCS. John Zarek, RPh. and System Clinical Pharmacy Manager, Swedish Medical Center said, “I am pleased that HCS Medication Reconciliation will be used at Swedish Medical Center hospitals. Working with HCS has been, and continues to be, a pleasure.”

HCS Medication Reconciliation automatically pushes a patient’s medication history to the clinician at the time and point of admission in a printed or electronic report. This valuable home medication information is further enhanced by tools within the system which provide customized alerts related to duplicate therapy, potential interactions and compliance issues. Utilizing the historical medication history within HCS Medication Reconciliation adds an additional layer of accuracy and confidence for the caregiver and the patient. The HCS interface engine which has successfully interfaced with hospital information systems and automated dispensing devices, makes implementation quick, easy, and vendor neutral.

For more information about HCS Medication Reconciliation, visit www.hcsinc.net

About Swedish Medical Center System: www.swedish.org

 Contact: Katie Rose Email:  Email Contact Phone:  334.279.9711  

SOURCE: Health Care Systems, Inc.

This week, Latino author and multicultural advocate Rudy Ruiz has published an essay on his own personal experience with eating disorders. The work, titled “The Ghost of Gordolfo Gelatino,” appears in GOING HUNGRY, a collection of essays by previously published writers on desire, self-denial and overcoming anorexia. Edited by New York culture writer Kate Taylor, the book (published by Anchor, a division of Random House) also features Louise Gluck (a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet), Jennifer Egan (Invisible Circus), and Joyce Maynard (At Home In The World). The book, and Rudy Ruiz’s essay in particular, are featured in the September 15th issue of NEWSWEEK Magazine under the headline: “It’s Not Just White Girls: Anorexics can be male, old, Latino, black or pregnant. A new book undercuts old stereotypes.”

“This is why I yearned to share my story,” Rudy Ruiz explains. “As the only Latino and one of two male authors in this collection, I’m grateful for the unique opportunity to raise awareness about the fact that eating disorders affect Latinos and men too. It’s hard enough to fight the condition. It’s unnecessary to also fight the added stigma of doing so within a culture or gender where it might seem complete taboo. Hopefully, my story will give other Latinos and men battling eating disorders both hope and encouragement to reach out for help in overcoming the challenge.”

The National Eating Disorders Association estimates that about 10 million women and about 1 million men in the U.S. suffer from either anorexia or bulimia. As many as 25 million more may be affected by binge eating disorder, which according to research conducted by the University of Maryland Medical Center may be more prevalent among Hispanics. Although these disorders most commonly affect people in their teens and twenties, they are found in all age groups, even young children. Those who suffer from eating disorders can experience a wide range of physical health complications, including serious heart conditions and kidney failure. Only about half of patients who are diagnosed fully recover, and many struggle for decades with these potentially deadly disorders.

Ruiz, who earned a BA in Government and a Masters in Public Policy at Harvard University has previously been hailed as “a cultural visionary” by the National Hispanic Institute. An advocate for multicultural communities, his first book, iADELANTE!, was published in 2003 by Random House to critical acclaim as a resource for Latino immigrants to get ahead in America. Ruiz has also been recognized numerous times as one of the nation’s top Hispanic entrepreneurs for his role as President and CEO of Interlex, one the nation’s leading multicultural advertising and public relations firms, specializing in advocacy and cause-related marketing. Ranked as one of the Top US Agency Brands by Ad Age Magazine and as a Top 20 Hispanic ad agency by Hispanic Business Magazine, Interlex’s stated mission is to help its clients make a positive impact in the lives of diverse audiences.

“In my experience working on public health campaigns for clients like American Cancer Society and the Texas Department of Health,” Ruiz says, “I’ve seen how the long-term neglect of health conditions in minority communities can lead to tragic disparities and deadly consequences. The only answer is the one I’ve pursued through my agency and my writing: it’s a blend of engagement, education and empowerment. You have to speak to the heart, illuminate the mind and — in the end — inspire action and change. For me, that’s what this book is about. And the work goes on.”

StemSave(TM), Inc., a market leader in the field of stem cell recovery and cryo-preservation, announced today that effective immediately, it is moving its corporate headquarters to New York City (its lab and cryo-preservation facilities will remain in Massachusetts). Arthur E. Greco, CEO, made the announcement today from the company’s new offices in Manhattan. “Not only does this move bring our corporate offices closer to our scientific advisors, it places us in one of the global epicenters of stem cell research. In addition, it allows us to participate in New York State’s $600 million stem cell research initiative. This is an enormous opportunity for us and for the families we serve.” StemSave’s scientific advisory council includes Dr. Jeremy Mao, DDS, PhD, a Director of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory (TERML) and a Professor at Columbia University, and Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic, PhD, a Director of the Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering and Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Columbia University.

Stem Cells’ Value to Potential Therapies

Stem cells are unique in that they are the only cells in the body that can regenerate and differentiate into specialized cell types. Hence, they drive the body’s natural healing and maintenance processes. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have discovered powerful adult stem cells in the dental pulp of baby teeth, impacted wisdom teeth and healthy permanent teeth. Ongoing medical research demonstrates that stem cells from teeth are particularly ‘plastic’ — that is, they can be manipulated to grow into many different cell types such as, bone, muscle, cartilage, skin, neural tissue and cells that make up vital organs. Given their unique properties, stem cells have the potential to treat disease and injuries contemporary medicine deems difficult, if not impossible, to treat with current methods. Medical researchers around the world are working today to develop powerful new treatments from stem cells for a wide range of diseases and injuries such as diabetes, Parkinson’s, muscular dystrophy, heart failure, bone regeneration, joint replacement, brain trauma, infertility, arthritis, osteoporosis and Crohn’s disease.

“StemSave is a unique collaboration between top stem cell researchers and the dental community to develop a safe, affordable, and simple way for patients — young and old — to collect and preserve their stem cells,” said Greco. “Most people are already aware of the benefits of saving highly-valued cells today for future use; they’ve been doing so for years with eggs, sperm, and umbilical cord blood. Now, after the discovery of powerful stem cells in teeth, StemSave offers families the opportunity to benefit from their own stem cells as new stem cell based regenerative and personalized medical treatments are developed. What’s so unique about banking dental stem cells is that the procedure requires nothing more from the patient than what would have happened at the dentist anyway, when a tooth gets extracted.”

StemSave has established an expanding network of dentists nationwide offering its service to patients throughout the country. “Dentists are particularly excited to be a part of this,” said Greco. “They understand that regenerative and personalized medical treatments are the future direction of medicine.”

About StemSave, Inc.

StemSave provides an affordable and non-invasive method for the recovery and cryo-preservation of the powerful Adult Stem Cells found in teeth by teaming up with dentists to harvest stem cells during routine dental procedures.

 Press Inquiries: Meir Kahtan Public Relations, LLC 212-669-6065 Email Contact  StemSave, Inc. Arthur E. Greco 917.699.0155 Email Contact

SOURCE: StemSave

EVANSTON, Ill., Sept. 16 /PRNewswire/ — Custom print and online health communications publisher StayWell Custom Communications (SCC), a division of MediMedia USA, has announced that industry leader and Web 2.0 expert David Bennett has joined the organization as Senior Vice President of Electronic Solutions.

In his new role, Bennett will lead SCC’s Electronic Solutions Group and spearhead product development as part of the company’s mission to provide leading-edge solutions to its growing number of online health care clients, including hospitals, health plans and retail pharmacies.

Bennett brings a wealth of electronic health experience to the position, including serving as the Director of Web Resource Services at the Medical University of South Carolina’s (MUSC) Hospital Authority during the past five years. While at MUSC, Bennett led the development of MUSC’s Web 2.0 programs. In addition, Bennett also led the development of MUSC’s nationally acclaimed consumer podcasting program. MUSC’s program is the largest of its kind with more than 160 participating physicians reaching hundreds of thousands of consumers in more than 150 countries. He oversaw the growth and development of the Institution’s online marketing program which is now one of the leading methods by which new patients are recruited to MUSC. His team’s efforts won seven national awards in the last year alone.

Bennett also served as the Chairman of the Web Committee for Health Sciences South Carolina (HSSC), the statewide collaborative of the leading research Universities in South Carolina. He is a nationally recognized expert on the subject of the Internet and health care, and has been a speaker for organizations such as Forum for Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), Society of Healthcare Strategy and Market Development (SHSMD), and the Annual Healthcare Internet Conference.

Prior to joining the Medical University in 2003, Bennett was Vice President for Business Development at Bio-Reference Laboratories (BRLI). Bennett also served as a Vice President at BRLI’s wholly owned subsidiary, and online connectivity solution, CareEvolve.com. He has more than 20 years of online product strategy and development, sales, marketing and business development experience in health care.

“I am excited that we have been able to attract someone of Dave’s caliber to our company,” said StayWell Custom Communications president and CEO Trent Sterling. “I am confident that his vision, operational and development skills, and his standing in the industry will help us continue to provide excellent solutions to our clients.”

About StayWell Custom Communications:

StayWell Custom Communications is a member of the StayWell family of companies, which includes Krames, StayWell Health Management, StayWell Consumer Health Publishing (A Harvard Medical School Strategic Alliance), Vitality Communications, StayWell Productions and The Red Cross Strategic Business Alliance. StayWell, which is a division of MediMedia USA, represents the largest patient education and consumer health information publisher in North America.

MediMedia is a publishing and information company which educates physicians and patients about drugs, diseases, therapies, health, safety and healthy lifestyles and is managed through two distinct business segments: the Patient Education Group and the Pharmaceutical Group.

The Patient Education Group provides patient education content sponsored by the full set of healthcare stakeholders, including employers, hospitals, health plans, physicians, patients and pharmaceutical companies. Customers purchase patient education products and services from MediMedia because these products and services help them lower healthcare costs.

The Pharmaceutical Group provides content and application-based marketing solutions for pharmaceutical companies, spanning their entire marketing continuum during a drug’s lifecycle, which are targeted to physicians, payers and patients. Customers purchase pharmaceutical products and services from MediMedia because these products and services help them drive drug prescriptions.

MediMedia is a Vestar Capital Partners portfolio company.

StayWell Custom Communications

CONTACT: Laura Floyd of StayWell Custom Communications, +1-847-733-4575,[email protected]

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

The Family Maternity Unit of Ephrata Community Hospital will hold three six-week childbirth education classes beginning this month.

The classes are designed for the last two to three months of pregnancy. Classes help prepare for labor and delivery using relaxation, breathing techniques and exercises, as well as addressing the care of the newborn.

The courses, each running 7 to 9 p.m., are being held on Tuesdays, Sept. 16 through Oct. 21; Wednesdays, Sept. 17 through Oct. 22 and Thursdays, Sept. 18 through Oct. 23.

All classes are held at the Brossman Center for Health, 136 Lake St., Ephrata. The cost is $60. Grandparents are encouraged to attend the fifth session at no extra charge. Couples planning to deliver at other hospitals are invited to participate.

Call 738-MOMS to register or for more information.

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

Micrus Endovascular Corporation (Nasdaq: MEND) today announced the initiation of its worldwide launch of Neuropath(R) guide catheter line. The launch of the Neuropath guide catheter demonstrates Micrus’ continued commitment to a more broadly based product portfolio and the development of novel access product technologies.

The Neuropath guide catheter line is designed with a highly flexible and visible tip that allows for ready vascular access, while maintaining good stability. This design is intended to allow neurointerventionalists with better vessel access and greater vessel selection in treating patients with complex anatomies.

“The Neuropath marks our entry into the guide catheter market and therefore represents a 100% incremental revenue opportunity for us,” said John Kilcoyne, Chairman and CEO of Micrus Endovascular. “The Neuropath is another example of Micrus’ commitment to the development of products that deliver clinical advantages to our physicians while bolstering our non-embolic product portfolio.”

About Micrus Endovascular Corporation

Micrus develops, manufactures and markets implantable and disposable medical devices for use in the treatment of cerebral vascular diseases. Micrus products are used by interventional neuroradiologists, interventional neurologists and neurosurgeons to treat both cerebral aneurysms responsible for hemorrhagic stroke and intracranial atherosclerosis, which may lead to ischemic stroke. Hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke are both significant causes of death and disability worldwide. The Micrus product line enables physicians to gain access to the brain in a minimally invasive manner through the vessels of the circulatory system. Micrus’ proprietary, three-dimensional microcoils automatically deploy within the aneurysm, forming a scaffold that conforms to a wide diversity of aneurysm shapes and sizes. Micrus also sells accessory devices and products used in conjunction with its microcoils. For more information, visit www.micruscorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Micrus, from time to time, may discuss forward-looking information, including estimated fiscal 2009 revenues. Except for the historical information contained in this release, all forward-looking statements are predictions by the Company’s management and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ from management’s current expectations. Such factors include the risk of inconclusive or unfavorable clinical trial results, the uncertain market for its products, the Company’s ability to obtain, and the timing of, regulatory approvals and clearances for its products, product enhancements or future products, and other risks affecting the Company, including the Company’s involvement in patent litigation with Boston Scientific Corporation, the Company’s limited operating history and history of significant operating losses, fluctuations in quarterly operating results, which are difficult to predict, the Company’s dependence on developing new products or product enhancements, challenges associated with complying with applicable state, federal and international regulations related to sales of medical devices and governing Micrus’ relationships with physicians and other consultants, the Company’s ability to compete with large, well-established medical device manufacturers with significant resources and other risks as detailed from time to time in risk factors and other disclosures in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements in this release represent the Company’s judgment as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims, however, any intention or obligation to update forward-looking statements.

Aegis Therapeutics LLC announced today that it has been awarded U.S. Patent 7,425,542, titled “Stabilizing alkylglycoside compositions and methods thereof.” The patent provides broad protection for stabilized human growth hormone (hGH) formulations. Human growth hormone is a recombinant protein drug used in the treatment of pediatric and adult patients who have inadequate secretion of normal endogenous growth hormone. hGH is one of the first biopharmaceuticals to be developed and has achieved worldwide sales in excess of $ 2 billion annually.

Like other protein therapeutics including insulin, erythropoietin, and interferon, among others, hGH is sensitive to heat and agitation and subject to aggregation — a phenomenon that reduces the potency of protein drugs and increases unwanted and sometimes dangerous immunogenicity. As a result, protein therapeutics must be stored and shipped from manufacturer, to the pharmacy, and ultimately to the patient under an uninterrupted chain of refrigerated conditions, referred to as the “cold chain.” Failure to maintain the “cold chain” during shipment can compromise the effectiveness of protein drugs. The Aegis ProTek(R) technology has been employed to create stabilized formulations of hGH, insulin, antibodies, and other protein drugs that remain unchanged even after continuous agitation for many weeks or months at elevated temperatures. The patented formulations are suitable for intranasal delivery via a simple metered nasal spray as well as by standard injection or external drug infusion pump.

Human growth hormone products are sold by a number of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies including Genentech, Sandoz, Sanofi, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. Generic or so-called bioequivalent versions of human growth hormone are in development as the original growth hormone patent approaches expiration. Aegis ProTek(R) technology is expected to provide patients with safer, more convenient, non-injectable delivery options while extending the effective patent life of hGH and other protein drugs.

About Aegis Therapeutics

Aegis Therapeutics LLC is a drug delivery technology company commercializing its patented or proprietary drug delivery and drug formulation technologies through product-specific licenses. Our Intravail(R) drug delivery technology enables the non-invasive delivery of a broad range of protein, peptide and non-peptide macromolecular therapeutics that can currently only be administered by injection. Aegis’ Intravail(R) absorption enhancement agents provide exceptionally high and unmatched bioavailability performance, comparable in efficiency to subcutaneous injection, via the intranasal administration route. Intravail(R) has also been successfully applied to buccal, oral, and rectal administration of both small molecule and peptidic drugs. Our ProTek(R) technology allows creation of proprietary, easily manufacturable, and stable aqueous or lyophilized dosage forms that maintain the integrity and physiological activity of many protein and peptide therapeutics. ProTek(R) technology is applicable to injectable, intranasal, and other dosage forms of peptide or protein therapeutics.

For more information about Aegis, please visit the Aegis website at: http://www.aegisthera.com.

 Contact: Ralph Barry Chief Business Officer Aegis Therapeutics LLC 1-858-618-1400 Ext. 102 Email: Email Contact

SOURCE: Aegis Therapeutics LLC

By Maher, Kevin J

Between 9,000 and 4,000 BC, in the age when glaciers melted and the earth warmed, nomadic hunter-gatherers settled down to more agrarian pursuits and began to cultivate wheat as a source of food. The establishment of this behavior, as it spread from Southeast Asia throughout Europe, is considered to have contributed greatly to mankind’s success. The adoption of these new foods, however, was difficult for some. For these individuals and their descendants, a genetic susceptibility and the presence of wheat in the diet caused an inflammatory response in the intestines that lead to malnutrition that would prove fatal for some. In the second century AD, a Greek physician known as Aretaeus of Cappadocia wrote what is thought to be an early description of this illness.1,2 In this account, he referred to a condition involving a number of signs and symptoms, including bellyache that afflicted some children of his time. Some 1,700 years later, these writings were translated to English, and the Greek word for “bellyache” was anglicized to “celiac,” which has since been used to describe the condition. Today, we know that celiac disease is an intestinal disorder that affects susceptible individuals when they are exposed to certain cereal grains in the diet.

Celiac disease (CD) – although recognized for some time – was, until recently, considered a relatively rare disease. Through the use of improved testing methods and increased awareness, however, it is now considered to be one of the most common lifelong diseases.3- 9 It is estimated that up to 1% of individuals who are of European descent have intolerance to the grains wheat, barley, and rye, and as many as 3 million people in the United States may be affected.

Susceptibility to celiac disease occurs when a person carries the genes for certain human leukocyte antigens (HLAs).10 The HLAs are cell-surface receptors that normally exhibit a wide range of variation so that they can bind to foreign antigens, such as bacterial or viral proteins, and then present them to T-cells in order to initiate an immune response.” In addition to the regular HLAs that recognize the viral and bacterial antigens, celiac patients also have HLAs (named DQ2 and DQ8) that bind to a protein called gliadin, which is found as a component of gluten in certain edible grains. When celiac patients eat foods made from the grains wheat, barley, or rye, some of their HLAs bind to the gliadin protein, and the immune system responds by making antibodies against a number of targets, including gliadin. This inflammatory response causes damage to the intestinal wall, and this interferes with the intestine’s ability to absorb nutrients from ingested food. This process of malabsorption, if left untreated, can lead to malnutrition, and patients can develop a variety of signs and symptoms. Infants may present with diarrhea and failure to thrive, while adults may present with iron-deficiency anemia or osteoporosis in the absence of the classic symptoms of diarrhea and abdominal pain.12 For people with celiac disease, the only treatment that is currently available is the permanent avoidance of all sources of gluten. Because most patients who effectively remove gluten from their diet will respond favorably, an accurate and timely diagnosis is of great value.

Diagnosis

The gold standard test for celiac disease is an intestinal biopsy that shows the results of gluten-induced inflammation (e.g., loss of microscopic feathery projections called villi).13,14 But because this procedure is invasive, it is not without risk. For this reason, serologie and molecular tests are often used by physicians to help identify those patients who are most likely to have celiac disease, in order to decide who will get a confirmatory biopsy.13-17

Serologie testing

The first serologie assay developed for celiac disease measured the presence of serum antibodies that bound to gliadin, the alcohol- soluble fraction of gluten. Although these assays were used for more than 20 years, the realization that antigliadin antibodies were often present in people who did not have celiac disease has led to their falling from favor.13,17-20 Improvements in testing came when scientists subsequently identified additional celiac-specific antibodies in the serum that would bind to the membrane surrounding the smooth muscle in slices of monkey esophagus. These endomyseal antibodies (EMAs) are among the most accurate assays for celiac disease. These fluorescence-microscopy-based assays, however, are labor intensive and difficult to standardize.13,21,22 ELISA-based assays that target the enzyme tissue transglutaminase (tTG),23 have since been developed to permit the identification of the EMA reactive antibodies with greater ease and precision. In addition to the improved ease of use, tTG-IgA assays have high sensitivity (- 96%), specificity (-98%), and positive predictive value for identifying those presumptive celiac patients who will go on to have positive intestinal biopsies (-1.00).13

More recently, it has been discovered that antigliadin antibodies from celiac patients specifically recognize gliadin peptides after deamidation.24- 25 This realization has rekindled the interest in antigliadin antibodies, and assays incorporating the deamidated gliadin peptides (DGP) have been shown subsequently to have greater sensitivity and specificity than earlier gliadin assays.20,26-28 Numerous studies have demonstrated that this new generation of gliadin assays have increased accuracy for the diagnosis of CD.26,27- 29 Because the tTG and DGP have different (non-competing) target antigens,30 they can be used together to obtain the best sensitivity without loss of specificity.20

Molecular testing

Another laboratory tool that the clinician has in assessing celiac disease comes from the finding that the risk for CD is genetically linked to specific HLA genes. It is estimated that greater than 98% of all celiac-disease patients express either the DQ2 or DQ8 molecules. If a patient who is suspected of having celiac disease tests negative for the DQ2 and DQ8, then it is unlikely that the patient truly has celiac disease, and the physician should consider other diagnoses.11,17 In contrast, if a patient tests positive for either of these susceptibility markers, they are far from guaranteed to get the disease. In fact, 30% to 40% of healthy individuals without celiac disease also possess these HLA markers, but they never respond to gluten. Because of this, a negative test result is much more informative than a positive result.

Gluten-free diet adherence

The only therapy currently available to treat celiac disease is lifelong removal of gluten from the diet. Following this diet successfully is difficult due to the pervasive nature of gluten. Gluten is a component of many common foods like bread and pasta. Other sources, however, are much more insidious because the presence of gluten is not always indicated on food labels and because it is sometimes a contaminant of other (usually gluten-free) products. Celiac patients who manage to attain complete avoidance of gluten, however, often experience a cessation of the inflammatory response, restoration of intestinal function, and a disappearance of antibodies to both gliadin and tTG. The relationship between the degree of damage in the intestine, the amount of gluten in the diet, and the level of celiac-specific antibodies in the blood allows physicians to use the serologie assays to monitor a patient’s disease activity and gauge the level of adherence to the diet.18,19,31

In a study of pediatrie celiac disease, 82% of children were found to be negative for DGP antibodies following their successful adherence to the diet.30 Another celiac-disease antibody that decreases following avoidance of gluten is the antiactin antibody.32,33 These antiactin antibodies, along with antiDGP antibodies, have been demonstrated to correlate with the degree of intestinal damage.20,34 The Celiac Disease Guidelines Committee recommends serologie assessment (e.g., tTG) after six months of treatment with gluten-free diet as an indirect measure of the extent of gluten removal from the diet. Measurement at intervals of one year or longer are suggested to monitor adherence to the diet in the asymptomatic patient13 By following the serologie assays over time, a physician can also document a dietary-induced change in serology to further support diagnosis of celiac disease: If a positive test reverts to negative following a gluten-free diet, or if a negative serology converts to positive following the reintroduction of relevant grains back into the diet, the diagnosis of celiac disease is supported.13

Who should be tested?

Because as much as 1 % of the population is affected, celiac disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of individuals presenting with persistent diarrhea and poor weight gain, unexplained weight loss, failure to thrive, or other persistent abdominal symptoms such as recurrent abdominal pain, constipation, or vomiting. 13In addition, there are a number of conditions that are associated with greatly elevated incidence of celiac disease; and in these groups, testing should be considered even when the individual may be without symptoms. For instance, 8% of people with type 1 diabetes mellitus have celiac disease, as well as 5% to 12% of Down syndrome, 4% to 8% of Turner’s syndrome, 2% to 8% of selective IgA deficiency, and 4.5% of first-degree relatives of celiac patients. Routine testing has been recommended for all children with these conditions once they reach three years of age since negative tests may develop to positives over time.13 Additional considerations

As much as 0.2% of the general population and 10% of celiac patients have an inability to produce antibodies of the IgA class (selective IgA deficiency).17,35,36 This fact has direct consequences regarding the interpretation of serologie test results, since celiac patients who also have selective IgA deficiency will not make IgA antibodies against tTG or any other celiacspecific antigen. Therefore, when a symptomatic patient has negative results for tTG-IgA, DGP-IgA, or EMA-IgA, it could be because they do not have celiac disease or because they have celiac disease but lack the ability to make IgA.

When IgA serologies are negative in a symptomatic patient, measurement of total serum IgA concentration can be useful. Normal total serum IgA levels with negative IgA serologies make the diagnosis of celiac disease less likely. Negative IgA celiac serologies in the context of selective IgA deficiency, however, should prompt further investigation with the use of celiac tests that measure the IgG isotype (e.g., tTG-IgG and DGP-IgG).13 Care should also be taken when evaluating children less than three years old, since a negative test result may be due to the immaturity of the child’s immune system.37,38 In this instance, infants with celiac disease will not develop positive celiac serologies until they age.

Finally, successful adherence to a gluten-free diet will often result in a reversion of celiac serology.13,30 In this instance, the lack of celiac-specific antibodies may reflect disease inactivity or a mild form of the disease, but a controlled challenge with gluten may be used to confirm the reappearance of symptoms, mucosal changes, and specific antibody development. Because of the high prevalence of IgA deficiency and the loss of antibodies following a gluten-free diet, the use of multiple assays has been suggested. The coordinated use of assays for tTG-IgA, ITg-IgG, DGP-IGA, and DGP- IgG has been promoted in order to increase the combined diagnostic sensitivity of the assays in select groups and for use as a general screening tool.18,37,38

Conclusion

Celiac disease represents one of the most commonly inherited diseases, but it is thought to be largely underdiagnosed, and many people continue to suffer without a diagnosis or effective treatment. With improved testing, laboratorians stand at the ready to help improve the quality of life for many with this affliction. By correctly identifying those who have celiac disease, healthcare professionals can provide valuable patient education and effective therapy for most who suffer from this ailment. With the power to eliminate the inciting gluten from their diet, most celiac patients can control their disease. Though these measures are effective, this concept is not entirely new. The ancient Greek physician Hypocrites once said, “Let food be thy medicine.” In this age, when special diets are promoted for everything from growing hair to preventing cancer, these words still ring true … particularly for celiac patients.

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30. Liu E, et al. Natural history of antibodies to deamidated gliadin peptides and transglutaminase in early childhood celiac disease. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2007;45(3):293-300.

31. Hansson T, et al. Recombinant human tissue transglutaminase for diagnosis and follow up of childhood celiac disease. Pediatr Res. 2002:51:700-705.

32. Carroccio A, et al. Anti-actin antibodies in celiac disease: correlation with intestinal mucosa damage and comparison of ELISA with the immunofluorescence assay. Clin Chem. 2005:51(51:917-920.

33. Clemente MG, et al. Enterocyte actin autoantibody detection: a new diagnostic tool in celiac disease diagnosis: results of a multicenter study. Am J Gastroenterol. 2004:99(8):1551-1556.

34. Carroccio A, et al. IgA anti-actin antibodies ELISA in coeliac disease: a multicentre study. Dig Liver Dis. 2007;39(9):818- 823.

35. Cataldo F, et al. Prevalence and clinical features of selective immunoglobulin. A deficiency in coeliac disease: an Italian multicentre study. Italian Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology (SIGEP) and “Club del Tenue” Working Groups on Coeliac Disease. Gut. 1998:42(31:362-365.

36. Devlin SM, et al. Celiac disease. CME update for family physicians. Can Fam Physician. 2004:50:719-725.

37. Burgin-Wolff A, et al. Antigliadin and antiendomysium antibody determination for coeliac disease. Arch Dis Child. 1991:66(8):941-947.

38. Burgin-Wolff A, et al. Screening test for coeliac disease. Lancet. 1997:349(9068): 1843-1844.

By Kevin J. Maher, PhD, DABMLI

Kevin Maher, PhD, DABMLI, is director of Cellular Immunology in the Flow Cytometry section of Laboratory Corporation of America in Burlington, NC.

Copyright Nelson Publishing Aug 2008

(c) 2008 Medical Laboratory Observer; MLO. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

Heart patients in Lincolnshire are being left to rehabilitate themselves, according to a charity.

The British Heart Foundation says it has failed to find a single cardiac rehabilitation programme anywhere in the county which meets minimum requirements.

And it claims that this is depriving patients of life-saving nursing care, dietary support and physiotherapy.

The report suggests that just 39 per cent of cardiac patients in Lincolnshire are receiving adequate aftercare.

Bill Lawton (76), vice-chairman of the Lincoln branch of the Cardiac Patients’ Association, said: “I received five calls around Christmas last year from patients needing help.

“I’m not a medic but I just have to tell them about the experiences I’ve had.

“We are a group of pensioners trying to do the job of the NHS with limited means.”

Sarah Marshall’s son Stuart (16), a pupil at Cherry Willingham Community School, underwent a life-saving operation at Leicester’s Glenfield Hospital in April.

“There is no support out there apart from charitable support,” said Mrs Marshall (42), of Sturton-by-Stow, near Lincoln.

“We don’t know what’s right and wrong for him. We have not had anyone tell us what he should or shouldn’t be eating and if he’s got chest pains we’re just told to take him to casualty.”

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

Chlamydia is the most common and fastest spreading sexually transmitted infection in the UK.

It stems from the bacteria chlamydia trachomatis.

If left untreated it can lead to long term health problems including pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancy.

It can affect the fertility of both men and women.

Testing for chlamydia involves a simple urine test for men and self vaginal swab for women.

The infection is easily treated with oral antibiotics which should also be given to the patient’s partner and previous partners.

For information on chalmydia screening sites or to be sent a postal kit, call (01529) 416110.

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

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia does not import any baby milk powder from China.

Two infants died and more than 1,200 others in China fell sick or developed kidney stones after drinking the Sanlu-brand formula milk.

Food Safety and Quality Division director at the Health Ministry Noraini Othman said: “Malaysia has never imported baby milk powder from China.”

The Sanlu milk powder was found to contain melamine, used as an ingredient in plastics, fertilisers and cleaning products.

Noraini assured consumers that the ministry would not allow the import of any milk powder from China as a precautionary measure.

(c) 2008 New Straits Times. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

By Daniel Connolly

After days of delay, the Regional Medical Center at Memphis has signed a contract with consulting company FTI Cambio, clearing the way for a revamped team to turn around the hospital, which is losing money and faces an uncertain future.

At the head of the leadership team is interim executive Claude Watts Jr., who had his first full day of work Thursday.

The 52-year-old roving hospital executive is fresh off a two- year assignment leading a group in Gary, Ind., on behalf of FTI Cambio. Before that, he played a similar role in Alameda County, Calif.

“I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and hitting the ground running,” Watts said.

Watts lives near Baltimore and plans to spend weekdays in Memphis and fly home on weekends to his wife and children.

Watts replaces another FTI Cambio employee, Sylvester Reeder, who served for several months as interim executive. The hospital has had several temporary executives since Dr. Bruce Steinhauer retired in late 2006.

Last year, The Med’s board sought to join a financially stable partner but couldn’t find one. This summer, the hospital’s board voted to expand FTI Cambio’s mandate and give it authority to reshape the hospital. The Med treats a disproportionate number of uninsured patients and is on track to lose $14.4 million this year if nothing changes.

Its fate matters because it runs the only trauma and burn centers in the region and cares for thousands of uninsured patients.

In the next 90 days, FTI Cambio and workers with the group will evaluate the clinical and financial performance of each of The Med’s services, from its outpatient clinics to its unit for sick babies.

The consultants have warned that some services may have to end. This week, Watts said it’s too early to predict which they might be.

“It’s a thorough assessment before we make any types of recommendations,” he said, adding that the hospital board would have to approve the changes.

Watts was supposed to start work on Sept. 1, but several days passed as the hospital leadership and the consultants haggled over final wording of the contract. The contract was finally signed Wednesday night, board chairman Gene Holcomb said. Watts started work the next morning.

A previously scheduled visit by a congressional delegation Friday underscored the pressure facing Watts and the FTI Cambio team.

Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, came to the hospital with U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis.

Alexander said he’s trying to secure $500,000 in federal funding for a partial renovation of the emergency room and to make it easier for federal money to compensate The Med for caring for uninsured patients from Arkansas and Mississippi.

“The Med is very much on my mind as I do my job,” Alexander said.

Flanked by aides and hospital staff, the members of Congress walked past patients on gurneys during a tour of The Med’s cramped emergency department.

As the tour continued, Watts introduced himself to members of the staff. He had been on the job less than 48 hours, and many of the The Med’s employees had never seen him.

– Daniel Connolly: 529-5296

——————–

Claude Watts Jr.

Age: 52

Education: Bachelor’s in biology from Towson University in Maryland; Master’s in general administration from the University of Maryland with a focus on health care.

Family: Wife, Vicki Baloo-Watts, a judge on the circuit court of Maryland. Three children: Claudia, 20, Sean, 18, Vincent, 16.

Interests: Jazz music, golf

——————–

Regional Medical Center at Memphis (http://www.the-med.org/)

FTI Cambio (http://www.ftihealthcare.com/web/)

Originally published by Daniel Connolly [email protected] .

(c) 2008 Commercial Appeal, The. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

MILTON – A hayride accident in Milton sent at least one person to the hospital late Friday according to a Cabell County emergency service dispatcher.

A tractor pulling a hay wagon ride went over a hill along East Mud River Road about 10 p.m., according to the dispatcher.

(c) 2008 Charleston Gazette, The. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

By Theresa Harrington

Like many couples engaged to be married, Christi Hockel and Austin Davenport look lovingly into each other’s eyes as they talk about sharing their lives together.

But unlike most couples, they share a disability that could complicate their marriage — Down syndrome.

“We need to think about us,” Davenport said, as Hockel snuggled up to him on the couch in her family’s home. “People get married with Down syndrome. I’ve never got married before. And people told me, ‘It’s OK to be nervous.’ We’re all people.”

The pair met through the National Down Syndrome Congress, which hosts annual conferences for people with the disability and offers them the opportunity to be “self advocates” who work to broaden awareness and sensitivity around the country. Hockel, 29, recently appeared in two public-service announcements for the group’s promotional “We’re More Alike Than Different” campaign, highlighting her enthusiasm about planning a wedding for 300 guests and her weekly exercise routine.

“A lot of people have Down syndrome,” Hockel said. “I like to be with them, have fun with them, play games with them, talk with them, giving out my business cards, telling them that I was on the (self- advocates) board.”

Locally, Hockel has read aloud at Barnes & Noble during Down syndrome awareness month. She also works as a bagger at Safeway and volunteers at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek with her mother, Judie Hockel.

“With special needs come special gifts and special graces,” said Judie, 69, who gave birth to Christi at age 39. “She has absolutely done nothing but enrich our lives. And I wish that everybody that faces a pregnancy where they’ve gotten a diagnosis of Down syndrome could understand that and believe that.”

Judie has helped and encouraged her daughter to attend public schools, including Northgate High and Diablo Valley College, where Christi performed in several theater productions.

“To me, it’s been important to make Christi whatever is the best that she can possibly be, because I want people to see her and I want people to know, it’s not as bad as your initial thought of, ‘Oh, my gosh, I’m having a baby that’s going to have deficits,'” said Judie, a mother of six. “And besides, there’s no guarantee with those normal kids.”

Since Republican presidential nominee John McCain selected Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his running mate, Down syndrome has received a sudden boost in media attention, because Palin recently gave birth to a baby with the disability. David Forney, spokesman for the National Down Syndrome Congress, said it is too early to tell whether this attention will end up being beneficial, but he hopes it will help clear up misconceptions.

“People with Down syndrome are ordinary people and they live lives that are just like yours and mine and those lives are to be valued,” said Forney, whose 30-year-old son with the disability works as a legal assistant and lives independently. “Within the last 25 or 30 years, the typical person with Down syndrome was raised by his or her family, has gone to public schools and, increasingly, they’re going onto postsecondary education.”

Still, the percentage of people with the disability who marry is fairly low, Forney said. He praised the Hockels for having the confidence in Christie and Davenport, 31, to assist them in their quest to live a married life.

“What we hope the general public learns is also a lesson that we’re still trying to teach our own families,” Forney said, noting that some parents are highly protective of their children with Down syndrome and don’t believe they are capable of living independently, holding down jobs or managing their own money.

Movies such as “Tropic Thunder” reinforce negative stereotypes, say the Hockels. Several groups representing people with disabilities object to the Ben Stiller film because it makes fun of people by calling them “retards.”

Christi and her friend Tracy Burke, 43, who also has Down syndrome, recently protested the movie in downtown Walnut Creek.

“It’s hurtful and mean to other people,” Christi said. “I’m not retarded because I’m smart and I’ve got Austin in my life and he means a lot to me and I love him a lot.”

Theresa Harrington covers Walnut Creek. Reach her at 925-945- 4764 or [email protected]

Information about the National Down Syndrome Congress and the More Alike than Different campaign can be found at 800-232-NDSC (6372) or www.ndsccenter.org. Local support is available through the Down Syndrome Connection at 925-362-8660. The National Down Syndrome Society is at 800-221-4602 or www.ndss.org.

Online

To see the Hockels and Austin Davenport talk about Down syndrome, visit ContraCostaTimes.com.

Originally published by Theresa Harrington, Contra Costa Times.

(c) 2008 Oakland Tribune. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

By Emma Brady

A Birmingham medic has criticised the clinical community for not placing enough importance on palliative care, despite the recent introduction of the Government’s End of Life Strategy.

Dr Steve Plenderleith believes medical students are not encouraged to spend time with patients suffering from terminal or long-term conditions, and as a result “have little or no experience of patient death”.

Palliative care is treatment given to alleviate symptoms or pain of a life-long or terminal condition. When the Government announced its new End of Life Strategy in June, it promised to invest pounds 286 million into the sector over three years to improve access to services and GP training.

But Dr Plenderleith, palliative care consultant at St Mary’s Hospice, in Selly Park, claims trainee medics need more than “the cursory few hours” crammed on to most medical school courses.

He believes seriously ill patients are “falling through the cracks” as a result because GPs either do not know how to access hospice services, what care they provide and where it is provided.

“The whole point of this new strategy is to get a more seamless pattern of care, so people don’t fall through the cracks, across different settings – hospice, hospital, and home,” said Dr Plenderleith. “Medical students have very little, if any, training in palliative care and so it’s often seen as an add-on, so we’ve got doctors coming through who have little or no experience of patient death or how the role palliative care can play in patients’ lives.

“I’d like to get them for a week and show them what a hospice does, how it operates, and get used to talking to patients with terminal conditions from a spiritual and emotional perspective, rather than just taking a dry, basic history.”

He added: “Whether they like it or not the End of Life Strategy is going to be rammed down clinicians throats. It’s not acceptable to have this widening gap, and it shouldn’t be an us and them situation, so hopefully its implementation will change that.

“Since the Cancer Plan was first introduced eight years ago, oncology services have developed fantastically and as such five year survival rates have improved, more people are getting the treatment they deserve and need, and living longer with the disease.”

St Mary’s Hospice already provides specialist training for local medics and healthcare professionals, in partnership with University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.

Last week it ran a one-off workshop training staff from both UHB and St Mary’s on how to administer intraspinal infusions, not usually done outside hospitals, to treat one cancer patient for whom traditional pain relief is not working.

Dr Plenderleith is planning a series of palliative care road shows around Birmingham “to find out where these cracks are” in November.

Dr Liz Hughes, postgraduate medical dean at NHS West Midlands Deanery, the regional body responsible for medical students’ training, stated that all trainee GPs get “at least a week” for a palliative care placement.

She said: “The majority of palliative care is carried out within the community, which they will see more of as they work with GP teams, district nurses and so on.

“With an ageing population living even longer we will see an increased need for palliative care.

We do take it very seriously and in order to do so we need to train our GPs to have a better understanding of what it means, that it’s not just about patients living with cancer, but with other conditions as well.”

[email protected]

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

By AMANDA JEROSIMICH For the Maryland Gazette

They call themselves “Milk Money.”

The group of 20 women, mostly from Pasadena, have one goal in mind: to raise the $2,200 each requires to participate in the three- day, 60-mile walk benefiting the Susan B. Komen for the Cure and National Philanthropic Trust on Oct. 3 through 5 in Washington, D.C.

To achieve this goal, they will be holding several fundraisers in the upcoming weeks.

“Jazzercise for the Cure” at 4:30, 6:30 or 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Magothy United Methodist Church, 3703 Mountain Road. There is $10 donation fee required to attend each class.

The group will hold a bull and shrimp feast from 1 to 6 p.m. Sept. 27 at Michael’s Eight Avenue, 7220 Grayburn Drive, Glen Burnie.

Tickets are $45. The event will include food, games, raffles, auctions and a band.

Contact Tracy Gold at 410-255-1335 for tickets or details.

‘Quarter Mania’

The Havenwood Girls Softball team will host a quarter mania starting at 7 p.m. Monday at the Ferndale Volunteer Fire Company hall, 4 Broadview Boulevard.

Admission is $3. Prizes include items from Longaberger baskets and products from Home Interiors, Kate Spade, Avon, Pampered Chef and more.

Contact David Farely at 410-437-2388 for more information.

Dinner bingo

The Orchard Beach Ladies Auxiliary, 7549 Solley Road, will hold its next dinner bingo starting at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow. The cost is $20 and includes a dinner of stuffed chicken breast, mashed potatoes and peas and carrots.

Contact Janet Aro at 410-255-6744 for more information.

Niftee Thriftee

The Magothy United Methodist Women invite everyone to the Niftee Thriftee Shop, 3620 Mountain Road, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Wednesday and Saturday.

This nonprofit thrift shop offers a variety of items, include housewares, books, clothing, shoes and jewelry. No sale tax is charged.

Contact Carolyn Van Dyke at 410-255-5220 for details.

Join the pack

Several local Cub Scout packs are taking registration for boys interested in joining a pack.

Pack 346 parents can register at Solley Elementary School, 7608 Solley Road, at 7 p.m. Wednesday or at Pasadena Elementary School, 105 Spruce Ave., at 7 p.m. Thursday. Call Stephanie Robertson at 410- 544-4482 for details.

Other area packs accepting registrations include:

Pack 412 meets at Mount Carmel United Methodist Church. Call Kim Beasley at 410-315-7665.

Pack 414 meets at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Roman Catholic Church. Call Linda Ashton at 410-437-9554.

Pack 441 meets at Fort Smallwood Elementary School. Call Vince Rogalski at 410-255-4701.

Pack 478 meets at Magothy United Methodist Church. Call Keith Walker at 410-255-4934.

Pack 773 meets at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Call Michael Schmidt at 410-437-4939.

Pack 829 meets at Jacobsville Elementary School. Call Greg Krawczyk at 410-360-5404.

Butter churning

Betty Ann Blanchard, a direct descendent of the Hancock family who once lived in Hancock’s Resolution, will give a demonstration on butter churning from 1 to 4 p.m. tomorrow at the historic property at 2795 Bayside Beach Road.

Contact Jim Morrison at 410-255-4048 for details.

20-year reunion

The Chesapeake High Class of 1988 still has tickets available for its 20-year reunion to be held from 8 p.m. to midnight Friday at Holiday Inn BWI Airport, 890 Elkridge Landing Road. Tickets are $55.

Contact Sylvia Mentecki at 410-761-9090 or [email protected] for tickets or more information.

Roast at post

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2462, 1720 Bayside Beach Road, is selling tickets for its shrimp, bull and oyster roast being held from 1 to 6 p.m. tomorrow.

Tickets are $30 and includes a menu of pit beef, sausages, fried and steamed shrimp, ham, oysters on the half shell, oyster stew, macaroni and cheese, sauerkraut, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, relish tray, dessert, beer and soda.

Call the post at 410-437-5629 for tickets or details.

Clubs and organizations in the Pasadena area can contact Maryland Gazette correspondent Amanda Jerosimich at 410-437-3564 or [email protected] for publication of their news. To ensure that news items run, submit them at least 10 days before the publication date. {Corrections:} {Status:}

(c) 2008 Maryland Gazette. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

By KATIE ARCIERI Staff writer

Comcast awards set next week

A well-known Annapolis developer. The founder of a car dealership empire. Wine and insurance entrepreneurs.

The Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce will honor these four members of the local business community at its fourth annual Comcast Business Hall of Fame and Annual Business Awards Dinner Thursday.

The event, held at Loews Annapolis hotel, will celebrate the achievements of Park Place developer Jerry Parks; George Moran, founder of Moran Insurance; Hillard Donner, founder of Mills Fine Wine and Spirits in Annapolis; and Creston Tate, president of Tate Chevrolet Inc.

“The people who are inducted into the hall of fame exemplify what corporate citizenship is all about,” said Bob Burdon, president and chief executive officer of the chamber whose hall of fame event is underwritten by Comcast.

See list of other businesses award nominees on Page B2.

—

[email protected]

Hillard Donner

The dockside wine store he founded in 1946 is hard to miss: Mills Fine Wine and Spirits at 87 Main St. has been a landmark in downtown Annapolis for more than half a century. It can be traced to Mr. Donner, who returned home from the Navy and told his father he was ready to go to college.

“He said ‘No you’re not going to college, we’re going into business,’ ” Mr. Donner said. “He said ‘We’re buying a store.”

Mr. Donner then traveled throughout Europe, contacting suppliers in France, Italy and Spain. The fruits of his labor are still evident in the shop’s extensive wine collection of more than 2,000 brands. He has spearheaded the annual Great Grapes Wine, Art & Food Festival.

Mr. Donner also serves on Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Foundation board and headed up the hospital’s capital campaign that raised $22 million to help pay for the new hospital site on Medical Parkway, having raised $14 million himself with help from friends.

The hospital’s Donner Pavilion also is named for his late parents Joseph and Rose.

“I’ve been a part of the community since we started, my father and I,” he said. “We always said if we can make it here, we’re going to give back to the community.”

George Moran

Mr. Moran’s insurance career began in Severna Park, where he started his business in 1977. Moran Insurance now serves more than 1,500 customers, though he has since sold the business.

For roughly a dozen years, Moran Insurance has sponsored the Moran Golf Classic raising $300,000 for the Providence Center, which provides services to the developmentally disabled.

“He’s the kind of guy that when you call him, he’s always willing to help out,” said Larry Ulvila, CEO of Insurance Solutions in Annapolis.

Mr. Moran has worked with a number of organizations from the Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce to the Chesapeake Academy and Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce. He has won the Distinguished Alumni Award for exemplary community service from Leadership Anne Arundel and the Bernard Cook Meritorious Leadership Award from the United Way of Central Maryland.

He has served on the board of trustees at Anne Arundel Medical Center since 2003. This month, he will become vice chairman of the board and also head up the board’s strategic planning committee.

“All these boards have a real positive mission, that’s where I get my energy from, serving with such wonderful people and you’re continually learning. I think that’s the key right there,” Mr. Moran said.

Jerry Parks

Mr. Parks is known as one of the most prolific developers in Annapolis, with signature projects ranging from the Maryland Capital Yacht Club to the $250 million Park Place on inner West Street.

Mr. Parks is a “pioneer” who took on innovative projects like the Chesapeake Harbour mixed-use complex, said Dennis Murphy, president of the Anne Arundel Commercial and Industrial Association.

For 15 years, Mr. Parks has been involved with the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, spending three of those years as chairman of the organization. The foundation provides scholarships and support for promising young artists.

Mr. Parks, who remains active on the foundation board, said he’s passionate about the organization because he can see the results of an artist’s accomplishments.

Now Mr. Parks is planning to build a performing arts center at Park Place. The 1,200-seat Maryland Theatre for the Performing Arts is now looking to raise $70 million to fund the center, which is slated to open in 2012.

“We’ve got an incredible city here,” Mr. Parks said. This type of center will be able to “attract national, (and) international artists of all different walks. We’re working so hard to get that done.”

Creston Tate

Mr. Tate is as much of a local business legend as he is a philanthropist.

Starting out in the auto industry back in the 1950s, Mr. Tate rose to become a household name in auto circles. Car dealerships across Anne Arundel County now bear the Tate name.

Additionally, Mr. Tate and his wife Betty Jane, have contributed $3.5 million to support a variety of projects at Baltimore Washington Medical Center since 1997, said hospital spokesman Allison Eatough.

That includes the Tate’s gift of $1.5 million for the Tate Cancer Center at Anne Arundel Medical Center that opened in March 2003. The Creston G. Tate and Betty Jane Tate Foundation Chesapeake Hospice House also cares for individuals with terminal illnesses who live alone.

Mr. Tate is moving around several of his dealerships after Tate BMW/Mini of Annapolis was sold to Group 1 Automotive.

Mr. Tate recently moved his Chevy dealership to the West Street location formerly home to Tate Dodge, which is consolidating with the pre-existing Tate Dodge Chrysler Jeep in Glen Burnie.

In addition to the Comcast Hall of Fame inductees, winner of the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce’s business award categories will be announced. Roughly 35 businesses, organizations and individuals were nominated by the business community for the awards.

The nominees are:

Capital-Gazette Newspapers Business Leader of the Year

Bryan Levy, SSI Homes

Mark Powell, Sidus Group

Community Outreach Award

City of Annapolis

Varuna Aveda Salon Spa

Meadow Hill Wellness

Anne Arundel County CASA Inc.

Developer of the Year

Westfield Annapolis

BAA Maryland

Greenberg Gibbons Commercial

Emerging Business of the Year

M&T Bank

Chesapeake Cartridge Co.

Buan Consulting

Idle Time Advertising

Improvement Zone

McCormick & Schmick’s

UltraVision Security Systems Inc.

Entrepreneur of the Year

Steve Samaras, owner of Zachary’s Jewelers

Non-Profit of the Year

BWI Partnership

The Summit School

USNA Alumni Association

Anne Arundel County Public Library

Sons of the Severn

HeartSmart

Hospice of the Chesapeake

The Friends Foundation

National Achievement Award

Severn Savings Bank

Small Business of the Year

CBAY Advisory Group

Annapolis Community Bank

Chesapeake Cartridge Co.

Sidus Group

Wedding Savvy Inc.

womenslacrosse.com

New Focus Realty

Lifetime Achievement Award

James Walker, former president and CEO Baltimore Washington Medical Center

Government Leader of the Year

Col. Kenneth McCreedy

Legislator of the Year

Del. Ron George, R-Arnold {Corrections:} {Status:}

(c) 2008 Capital (Annapolis). Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

MUM-OF-TWO Cath Mullinder was given financial support after cancer stopped her from working. Cath, who is an assistant social worker for Macmillan Cancer Support, was earlier this year diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Cath, of Wylam, was given radioactive iodine treatment at Newcastle General Hospital. The 44-year-old was in isolation for 48 hours and put on thyroxin medication. Living costs became a concern, as Cath was unable to work because of the cancer. With twin daughters Rachel and Sarah, 17, to look after and a mortgage to pay, Cath couldn’t rely solely on her 52-year-old husband Chris’s income.

But a Macmillan grant of pounds 220 helped Cath’s family pay a utility bill as well as petrol and parking costs for her hospital trips. At the same time, Cath found emotional support through the Butterfly Trust, a support group for thyroid cancer patients.

Cath said: “I deal with the emotional impact of cancer all the time. I know how important it is to feel you have someone to talk to.”

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

Tenet Healthcare Corporation (NYSE: THC) today announced that four acute care hospitals operated by its subsidiaries in southeast Texas experienced relatively minor damage from Hurricane Ike. While some elective procedures continue to be deferred, all four acute hospitals are fully operational at this time. These hospitals include Houston Northwest Medical Center, Cypress-Fairbanks Medical Center, and Park Plaza Hospital (including Plaza Specialty Hospital), and Nacogdoches Medical Center.

“These hospitals have come through the worst of the storm, and their employees should be commended for the efforts made to keep the hospitals running under very difficult circumstances,” said Trevor Fetter, president and CEO, Tenet Healthcare.

Tenet’s hospitals were able to recover quickly from the hurricane and provide care for Houston-area and East Texas residents in need of treatment thanks to each hospital’s disaster preparedness plan, incident command teams, dedicated employees and corporate volunteers who went to Houston to help address the community’s immediate needs over the weekend. Our disaster preparedness response included the prepositioning of back-up power equipment, incremental deliveries of medical and non-medical supplies, increased security, supplemental staffing, and timely reaction to the loss of city services.

“While the Tenet hospitals affected by the storm suffered only minimal structural damage, elective surgeries will continue to be deferred in these hospitals in order to conserve resources for emergency care,” said Bob Smith, senior vice president, central region of Tenet Healthcare.

Tenet has announced that it will match financial contributions by its employees to the Tenet Disaster Relief Fund to assist Tenet employees impacted by Hurricane Ike or to the American Red Cross or other qualified organizations.

Tenet Healthcare Corporation, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates acute care hospitals and related ancillary health care businesses, which include ambulatory surgery centers and diagnostic imaging centers. Tenet is committed to providing high quality care to patients in the communities we serve. Tenet can be found on the World Wide Web at www.tenethealth.com.

Some of the statements in this release may constitute forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on our current expectations and could be affected by numerous factors and are subject to various risks and uncertainties discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2007, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and periodic reports on Form 8-K. Do not rely on any forward-looking statement, as we cannot predict or control many of the factors that ultimately may affect our ability to achieve the results estimated. We make no promise to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of changes in underlying factors, new information, future events or otherwise.

By KATHLEEN SHATT For the Maryland Gazette

Boys and girls are welcome to join the Master Club at Fellowship Baptist Church, 1015 Sundown Road. The program will resume on Friday with a special outdoor cookout from 6 to 7 p.m.

Designed for children ages 4 through the sixth grade, the club meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Fridays at the church through May.

The program offers games, achievement awards, singing, competitions, Bible stories and other fun activities. Participants can earn more than 60 badges. All children are welcome, regardless of their religious affiliation.

There is an annual fee of $20, which includes the merit badge vest. Weekly dues cost $1.

For more information, call the church at 410-760-7755.

Back-to-school

The Ferndale Early Education Center, 105 Packard Ave., will host its back-to-school night program from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Students and parents will have an opportunity to learn about the programs and activities planned for the school year.

For more information, call the school at 410-222-6927.

Golf tournament

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church will host its 11th annual golf tournament fundraiser on Thursday at the Compass Pointe Golf Courses in Pasadena.

Registration and breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m.

The cost is $125 and includes green fees, carts, contests, prizes, lunch, breakfast and beer and soda on the course. Tee sponsorships are available for $60.

An awards ceremony will immediately follow the luncheon.

Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the church’s office computers and automation fund, as well as missions.

For details, call the church at 410-766-2283 or Bill Critzman at 410-991-5313.

Pascal Senior Center

Joan Clay will teach a “Paint-in-a-Day” workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the Pascal Senior Center, 125 Dorsey Road.

The cost of the workshop is $35. All supplies needed to paint an oil painting will be provided. The subject of the painting will be “Lighthouse at Night.”

Advance registration is requested.

In other center news:

The Poet’s Corner will present American poet Walt Whitman at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

The Pascal Senior Center Advisory Council will meet at 9 a.m. Thursday.

The Pascal Seniors Inc. will meet at 10:15 p.m. Thursday.

The center will host a patio party from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Friday featuring music by The Impacts. Light refreshments will be served.

In the instance of rain, the party will be moved indoors.

For more information, call the center at 410-222-6680.

Cub Scout Pack 843

Cub Scout Pack 843 will host a back-to-school night at 7 p.m. Thursday at Hilltop Elementary School, 415 Melrose Ave.

All boys in grades one through five interested in joining Cub Scouts are welcome to attend.

The pack holds its monthly pack meetings at the Friendship Church of the Brethren, 27 Mansion Road in Linthicum. The next regular pack meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26.

For more information, call Sharon Squires at 410-636-1726.

Open house

Cub Scout Pack 725 will host an open house for new members at 7 p.m. Thursday at Glen Burnie United Methodist Church, 5 Second Ave. S.E.

All boys in grades one through five are welcome to join.

Meetings are held at 7 p.m. every Thursday at the church.

For more information, call committee chairman Melissa Jones at 410-761-4136.

VFW Post 434

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 434 will meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Ferndale Senior Center, 7205 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd.

The post is looking for students to enter its Voice of Democracy, Patriot’s Pen, Buddy Poppy and Loyalty Day contests.

The Voice of Democracy contest is a scholarship program open to students in grades nine through 12. Participants must record an original three- to five-minute essay on the theme “Service and Sacrifice by America’s Veterans Benefit Today’s Youth by ” on a standard cassette or compact disc and accompanied by a typed copy of the essay. The entry deadline is Nov. 1.

The Patriot’s Pen contest is open to students in the sixth through eighth grades. Contestants must submit a 300- to 400-word typed essay on the topic, “Why American’s Veterans Should be Honored.” The deadline to enter is Nov. 1.

The Buddy Poppy and Loyalty Day contests are open to boys and girls in grades seven through 12 who are under the age of 17 as of Feb. 23 and American citizens. They will be judged on poise, personality and appearance. Questions and answers will be handed out in advance for the contestants to study.

For more information, call Dillard Harris at 410-761-2696.

Woodside Elementary

The PTA executive board at Woodside Elementary School, 160 Funke Road, will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday . All parents are welcome to attend.

The board usually meets on the second Tuesday of the month, but rescheduled due to the school’s back-to-school activities.

PTA officers this year include: Wayne Newton, president; Laurie Snyder, vice president; Julie Phillips, treasurer; Alice Newton, secretary; and Ruth Biddle, fundraiser. The teacher representatives are Trish Medeiros and Willow Farmer.

For more information, call the school at 410-222-6910.

Ferndale bingo

The Ferndale Volunteer Fire Company, 4 S. Broadview Blvd., will sponsor bingo games from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays.

Two different bingo packages, including specials, are sold. A $500 jackpot game also is offered. Refreshments will be sold. For details, call 410-766-2131.

Burwood Seniors

Registered nurse Bonnie Summers will check seniors’ blood pressures at noon Tuesday at the Burwood Senior Nutrition program site, 6658 Shelly Road.

Tammy Hommel will teach a painting class at 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays. She also will lead a “Keep Your Mind Alert” class at 10 a.m. Fridays.

For information, call Latori Golbourne at 410-222-6262

Holy Trinity bingo

The Holy Trinity Knights of Columbus Council 3413 offers bingo games Tuesdays at the Columbian Center, 335 N. Ritchie Highway in Severna Park.

The doors open at 5 p.m. for seating. Games begin at 7:15 p.m. Cash prizes are awarded, including two $1000 jackpot games.

The cash prize for regular bingo games depends on the number of attendees. If there are more than 100 players, regular games will pay $75 and special games will pay $100. Otherwise, the prize will be $50 for regular games and $75 for special games.

Refreshments are sold from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.

For details, call 410-647-3413.

Ravens Nest meeting

Ravens Nest 10 will meet at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Fireside Inn, 7400 Ritchie Highway.

New members are welcome.

Call Lauren Forgnoni at 301-646-3042 or visit www.ravensnest10.com for details.

Blood pressure check

Bonnie Summers, a registered nurse, will conduct a free blood pressure screening at noon Wednesday at the Glen Square Senior Nutrition Program site, 102 Crain Highway N.W.

All seniors are welcome.

Senior information specialist Wanda Swift will meet with seniors at 11 a.m. Tuesday to determine their needs, locate services and complete applications for assistance. The service is free.

For more information, call Doris Payne at 410-222-6264.

North County PTSA

The North County High School Parent-Teacher-Student Association and Easy Method Driving School will co-sponsor driving classes from 2:05 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the high school, 10 E. First Ave.

Classes will be offered Monday through Oct. 1 and from Oct. 13 through Oct. 28.

Registration forms may be picked up in the main office of the school.

For details, call 410-461-9090 or e-mail Theresa Ringer at [email protected].

Autumn fair

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 308 Oak Manor Drive, will sponsor its annual autumn fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 4 on the church grounds.

The annual event will include a flea market, craft show, country store, antique car show, food and games.

Crafters and flea market vendors may rent space with one table for $25. Additional tables cost $5.

For information, call 410-766-2283.

BWMC

Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 301 Hospital Drive, will offer a new session of a variety of pilates and yoga classes beginning Monday. Taught by certified instructors, each class is limited to 20 students.

The 10-week sessions cost $50. Advance registration is required.

The medical center also will offer the Safe Sitter babysitting training program from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 20 in the Dr. Constantine Padussis Conference Center at 301 Hospital Drive. The cost of the class is $50. Advance registration is required.

For more information or to register for classes, call 410-787- 4367 or go to www.bwmc.org

The hospital will offer a free seminar on hip and knee replacement surgery at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the Courtney Conference Center, in the Tate Cancer Center, 305 Hospital Drive. Reservations are requested.

Call 410-553-8282.

Exercise classes

The Glen Burnie Improvement Association will offer a low-impact aerobics class from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the community hall, 19 Crain Highway S.E., beginning next week.

The co-ed classes will be taught by Glen Burnie Recreation Association dance instructor Kim Emig.

Participants can join at any time. No experience is necessary.

The cost is $3 per class. Those attending should wear comfortable clothing and tennis shoes. Hand weights are optional.

For details, call the GBIA at 410-766-6760 or Muriel Carter at 410-766-7723.

Clubs and organizations in the 21061 ZIP code area can call Maryland Gazette correspondent Kathleen Shatt at 410-766-8547 for publication of their news. They can also fax information to her at 410-766-1520 or send e-mail to [email protected]. {Corrections:} {Status:}

(c) 2008 Maryland Gazette. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

Aetna (NYSE:AET) today announced that it has contracted with Maxim Health Systems for the fifth year in a row to administer influenza vaccinations (flu shots) to all members enrolled in its health benefit plans. In addition to receiving the vaccination from their physicians, Aetna members will have the option to get their flu shot at one of Maxim’s more than 25,000 sites in retail facilities and corporations, as well as other clinics across the country. The flu shot clinics will begin on October 1 and continue through mid-November 2008.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for our members, especially those in the high risk groups for influenza, to take this important preventive step,” said Troyen Brennan, M.D., Aetna’s chief medical officer. “These flu shot clinics allow our members and their families to find times and locations that are convenient for them.”

To find a Maxim flu clinic, members can go to a website Maxim has set up (www.findaflushot.com) and enter their zip code and the distance they want to travel. They can also call a toll-free phone number (1-866-466-2976) to help locate a clinic or obtain information about the flu shots in either English or Spanish.

Aetna members also have the option of receiving flu shots at various other clinics:

— SUPERVALU Pharmacies – Members can call 1-800-783-0458 to find the nearest immunizing pharmacy and arrange a time to get the flu shot. Age limitations vary by location.

— VaxCare – These clinics are available at select employer sites in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. If their employer is participating, members can find a clinic at www.vaxcare.com.

— Walk-in Clinics – After logging into Aetna Navigator(R), Aetna’s secure self-service website, members should click on Find Health Care in DocFind. They can then select Facilities under Provider Category and Walk-In Clinics under Provider Type. These walk-in clinics Include Minute Clinics, Aero Clinics, Smartcare Clinics, Take Care Clinics and Redi Clinics.

2008 Vaccination Guidelines

There are several “high-risk groups” of people who are encouraged to get vaccinated. This includes:

— All children from 6 months through 18 years of age;

— Anyone 50 years of age or older;

— Pregnant women;

— Adults who have weak immune systems;

— Adults and children with chronic conditions, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, anemia and other blood disorders, metabolic diseases (such as diabetes), kidney disease, heart disease, liver disease and lung disease;

— Anyone with certain muscle or nerve disorders (such as seizure disorders or cerebral palsy) that can lead to breathing or swallowing problems;

— Residents of nursing homes or other chronic-care facilities.

In addition, anyone who lives with or cares for people at high risk for influenza-related complications should also receive a flu shot. More information about influenza is available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web site at: www.cdc.gov/flu.

Payment Information and Coverage Details

Aetna members should bring their Aetna ID card with them when visiting a flu clinic, as these contracted providers accept Aetna insurance when members present their Aetna ID card. Most Aetna plans provide full coverage for flu vaccines, but members should consult their plan documents to determine their individual coverage. Members who do not present their Aetna ID cards will be asked to pay at the time the flu shot is given.

Maxim and VaxCare do not give the flu shot to children under 9 years of age, while age limitations vary for SUPERVALU Pharmacies.

About Aetna

Aetna is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 37.2 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. www.aetna.com

China’s infant formula contamination case as grown as officials disclosing two babies have died and 1,253 others have been sickened.

Meanwhile, Xinhau reported Monday two brothers have been arrested for allegedly selling tons of the tainted milk powder daily for months have been arrested.

Chinese authorities said 340 infants remain hospitalized in the food safety scandal whose dimensions are only now becoming apparent, The New York Times reported.

Officials said the tainted formula, traced to the Sanlu Group, was laced with melamine, a protein additive sometimes used in plastics and fertilizer. It’s the same additive at the center of last year’s pet food scare in the United States, when U.S. authorities connected the contamination to Chinese animal feed, the newspaper said.

The contamination caused kidney stones to develop in the babies, most of whom were not considered dangerously ill, officials said. Ma Shaowei, a vice health minister, told reporters many of them are from poverty-stricken areas such as Gansu province, as well as Hebei and Jiangsu provinces, the Times said.

Shi Guizhong, a police spokesman in Hebei province, told Xinhua the two suspects face charges of producing and selling toxic and hazardous food, which they allegedly sold to Sanlu.

They are the first to be charged in the case, though 19 people have been detained and dozens more questioned, the state-run news agency said.

The government in Shijiazhuang, the capital of Hebei province, said Monday more than 10,000 tons of the tainted formula that has been seized and recalled will be destroyed, Xinhua reported.

The Military Health System is planning an update late this month to its behavioral-health Web site, AfterDeployment.org., which was launched in early August. The site provides service members, their families, and veterans with online behavioral mental health tools.

The Web site is a self-care solution targeting post-deployment adjustment concerns for those who might not otherwise seek out services and who want to use the site’s resources at their own pace.

Since October 2001, more than 1.5 million American troops have deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, most of them between the ages of 17 to 29 with at least a high school education.

With that in mind and knowing that this user population is familiar with computers, the Web site creators designed it to be interactive to give users a variety of ways to access the information. Someone wanting to get a better understanding about his or her stress level or anger problem can take a quick self- assessment right on the site and get some immediate feedback concerning their scores. Users also can test their knowledge with user-friendly quizzes and participate in narrator-guided multimedia workshops tailored to address specific concerns.

The site offers 12 programs: Adjusting to War Memories, Dealing with Depression, Handling Stress, Improving Relationships, Succeeding at Work, Overcoming Anger, Sleeping Better, Controlling Alcohol and Drugs, Helping Kids Deal with Deployment, Seeking Spiritual Fitness, Living with Physical Injuries and Balancing Your Life.

One in every three homeless men in the United States was once in the armed forces and may end up living on the streets because of mental problems or alcohol addiction, according to recent statistics gathered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Many groups across the U.S. are joining forces with sponsors and volunteers to counter the problem. Operation Stand Down Rhode Island will hold an event to aid homeless veterans this Friday through Sunday in Diamond Hill State Park, on Route 114 in Cumberland.

Homeless veterans will be given food, shelter, showers and clothing, and social, legal and medical counseling will be available. Veterans in need should call (800) 861-VETS (8387) for assistance, and transportation to the event will be provided.

Operation Stand Down Rhode Island offers permanent housing for veterans in Johnston and West Warwick. A third home, for severely disabled veterans and their families, is expected to open in October of next year.

For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation, call Operation Stand Down R.I.’s executive director, Al Signorelli, at (401) 383-4730.

Urology seminar series

The Veterans Affairs Medical Center at 830 Chalkstone Ave. in Providence will conduct a series of educational seminars on a variety of urology topics, starting Sept. 24 with a discussion of erectile dysfunction. Eileen Kirshenbaum, a certified urology registered nurse, will lead all sessions in Classroom 3, fifth- floor auditorium, from 9 to 10 a.m.

Other seminars: prostate cancer, Nov. 26; bladder cancer, Jan. 28; penile and testicular cancer, Mar. 25; incontinence and overactive bladder, May 27; and, kidney stones, July 22. Veterans and significant others are welcome. For more information or to register, call (401) 273-7100, ext. 2926.

Reunion

Coast Guard lightship veterans will gather Oct. 16-18 in Barnstable, Mass., for their annual reunion, at which they will dedicate a new Sailors Heritage Museum. For more information, e- mail Dennis Cosmo Jr. at [email protected].

– Veterans of Foreign Wars

Gatchell Post 306 and Auxiliary units meet tonight at 7 in the post home, 171 Fountain St., Pawtucket. Smithfield Memorial Post 2929 will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the post home, 47 Farnum Pike, Smithfield. At 1 p.m. Saturday the Department Ladies Auxiliary will visit Zambarano Memorial Hospital, in Burrillville. Gatchell Post and Auxiliary units will conduct a poppy drive at the Stop & Shop on Industrial Highway in Pawtucket on Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday, Department members will participate in Operation Stand Down at Diamond Hill State Park, in Cumberland; call Michele at (401) 654- 4141 for more information.

– Italian American War Veterans

Cappucci-Weir Post 1 will meet tomorrow at 6 p.m. in the post home, 9 Court St., Bristol.

– Warwick Veterans Council

The council will meet at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow in VFW Post 183, 176 Washington St., Warwick.

– American Legion

Post 12 will meet at Saratoga Headquarters, 6854 Post Rd., North Kingstown, at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow. Armstrong-Gladding Post and Unit 69 will conduct a joint installation of officers on Sunday at 2 p.m., with refreshments to follow.

– Disabled American Veterans

Folcarelli Chapter 1 will meet Wednesday at 3:30 p.m., in VFW Post 2812, 1418 Plainfield Pike, Cranston.

– Marine Corps League

The Bucci-Atwood Detachment will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Armed Forces Reserves Center at Fields Point, Providence. The South County Detachment will meet Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in VFW Post 916, 155 High St., Wakefield.

– Army Special Forces Association

Rhode Island Chapter 48 will meet Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., at the Corner Tavern, 20 South County Trail, North Kingstown.

– Association of the U.S. Army

The state chapter’s executive committee will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Harwood Army Reserve Center, 385 Niagara St., Providence.

– Vietnam Veterans of America

Chapter 273 will meet Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in VFW Post 4651, 7 Haven Ave., Cranston.

– Seabee Veterans of America

Island X-1 Davisville will meet at the Seabee Museum, 21 Iafrate Way, North Kingstown, on Saturday at 9 a.m.

– Attleboro veterans

At 5 p.m. Saturday, Attleboro area veterans will hold their 10th POW/MIA 9/11 remembrance ceremony in the Newell Shelter at Capron Park. The public is welcome to the two-hour event.

– Retired Enlisted Association

Narragansett Bay Chapter 79 will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday in the VFW Post at 52 Underwood Lane, Middletown.

– WAVES National — Women of the Sea Services

Ocean State Unit 118 will meet at 1 p.m. Saturday in the state administration building, on Smith Street in Providence. All women veterans are eligible for membership. Call Ginny at (401) 846-6932 or Luisa at (401) 944-9215 for more information.

George W. Reilly can be reached at [email protected] or by writing to The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, R.I. 02902.

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

MARGATE, Fla., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — IVF Florida Reproductive Associates announced today they are the exclusive providers in their area of an enhanced refund program for donor egg recipients, a new option offered in the IntegraMed(R) Shared Risk(R) Refund Program. The new package will be offered exclusively by selected members of IntegraMed’s network of participating fertility centers.

The cost of medical treatment is just part of the expense of in vitro fertilization (IVF) with donor eggs. Typically, almost half of the total expense is due to out-of-pocket expenditures for identifying and screening the egg donor. The new enhanced package from IntegraMed covers a comprehensive list of services in addition to the costs of the standard medical procedures included in the Shared Risk Refund Program. Patients now have the option of including the costs for donor screening, donor compensation, case management and advanced embryology services such as blastocyst culture, assisted hatching, cryopreservation of embryos and embryo storage for the first 6 months.

Patients may elect to enroll in the standard donor egg recipient program, which covers medical treatment for the egg donor and recipient only, or the new enhanced program, and pay a flat rate up front. In both the new program and the standard program, donor egg recipients are eligible for up to three IVF cycles and unlimited frozen embryo transfers (using eggs retrieved during the stimulated cycles performed during program participation) at no additional cost.

As with other Shared Risk Refund Program offerings, if IVF treatment using donor eggs should fail, up to 100% of the fees paid to IntegraMed will be refunded. IntegraMed’s refund guarantee makes this new option the most prudent way for patients to spend their money on IVF treatment. They will either take a baby home or get their money back.

“We’re offering this new program in response to the needs of our patients who are donor egg recipients,” said IVF Florida reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Debbra A. Keegan. “While success rates of treatment with donor eggs are very high, nearly half of all patients will need more than one cycle to be successful. The enhanced Shared Risk Refund Program helps them manage the majority of the costs involved with donor eggs, so they can stay in treatment and get what they want, a baby.”

Planning for more than one IVF cycle can help reduce the stress and anxiety of treatment, and increase the opportunity to have a child. The IntegraMed Shared Risk Refund Program now offers an array of options to make IVF treatment manageable, from the basic option for IVF patients to the new enhanced refund program for donor egg recipients.

For more information or to find out if they qualify, patients planning to use donor eggs should call 1-866-YOUR-IVF or 502-271-5999.

About IVF Florida Reproductive Associates

With offices in Wellington, Margate, Palm Beach Gardens, and Pembroke Pines, IVF Florida is the state’s largest infertility practice, having treated more than 20,000 patients since its founding. Collectively, IVF Florida’s five physicians have over half a century of treating infertility, of which 26 years include academic posts. In addition, the staff boasts the most subspecialty- certified reproductive endocrinologists in Florida. For additional information, visit http://www.ivfflorida.com/.

About IntegraMed America, Inc.

IntegraMed America, Inc. is the leading operator of fertility centers and vein care clinics in the United States. The Company supports its provider networks with state-of-the art information systems; marketing and payer contracting; financial planning, reporting and analysis; organizational planning and development; quality assurance initiatives; human resources administration; and purchasing services. IntegraMed also offers consumer treatment-financing programs and operates http://www.integramed.com/, a leading fertility portal.

The IntegraMed Fertility network consists of 31 contracted centers in 101 locations across the United States, including 171 physicians and Ph.D. scientists. One of every five IVF procedures in the U.S. is performed in an IntegraMed fertility practice. The IntegraMed Vein Clinic network is the leading provider of vein care services in the US and operates 30 centers in 11 states, principally in the Midwest and Southeast. For more information about IntegraMed call 800-458-0044 or email [email protected].

IVF Florida Reproductive Associates

CONTACT: Denise Rosales, Practice Development Manager of IVF FloridaReproductive Associates, +1-954-247-6219

Web site: http://www.ivfflorida.com/http://www.integramed.com/

NEW YORK, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ — Joshua Rosenthal, founder and director of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, has announced an exciting new partnership with Purchase College of the State University of New York (SUNY).

Under the SUNY partnership, students can now earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and a certificate upon successful completion of the Professional Training Program at Integrative Nutrition. Students still receive a certificate in health counseling from Integrative Nutrition and are qualified for national certification from the American Association of Drugless Practitioners.

“As a thirty-year veteran in the field of adult education, I can unequivocally say that it is one of the most impressive programs I’ve observed,” says Christine L. Persico, Dean of the School of Liberal Studies and Continuing Education at Purchase College. “I can’t think of work that is more important than providing our citizens and professionals with the knowledge and training to live holistic healthy lives and to provide support and services to others in this quest.”

SUNY is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive state university system. Purchase College is recognized regionally, nationally and internationally as an innovative leader in conservatory arts education and the liberal arts and sciences. With a legacy of offering conservatory programs that combine experiential learning with theory and strength in educating students in science, Purchase College is a dynamic partner for Integrative Nutrition.

The Institute for Integrative Nutrition is the largest nutrition school in the world, offering access to the world’s foremost authorities on health and nutrition, and a comprehensive education that helps students launch a career as a health counselor. With more than 6,000 graduates worldwide, Integrative Nutrition is the leading school for training in holistic nutrition.

“Our partnership with Purchase College and SUNY will bring strength and recognition to our graduates,” Rosenthal says.

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE FOR INTEGRATIVE NUTRITION

For 15 years, The Institute for Integrative Nutrition has been at the forefront of nutrition education, offering comprehensive, cutting-edge training in health counseling. Founded by Joshua Rosenthal, the Institute for Integrative Nutrition is the only nutrition school integrating the vast variety of dietary theories, while combining the knowledge of traditional philosophies with modern concepts, such as the USDA food pyramid, the glycemic index, the Zone and raw, organic foods.

For more information, visit http://www.integrativenutrition.com/.

The Institute for Integrative Nutrition

CONTACT: Kerry Monaghan, +1-646-633-4068,[email protected]

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

The following release focuses on the topic Fitness & Health IV

ALL TIME-OFFS ARE IN EASTERN TIME, UNLESS NOTED STORIES MOVED AT 4:35 AM ET ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2008.

WENATCHEE, Wash.–Unwanted Hair Growth in Women Could Herald Serious Medical Problems Source: American Electrology Association

CHATSWORTH, Calif.–Natrol(R) Cholest Intercept(TM) Can Lower Cholesterol by as Much as 15 Percent in as Little as 1 Month(a) Source: Natrol

CHATSWORTH, Calif.–Natrol Launches New Supplements for Men, Women, Seniors Source: Natrol

Don’t Skimp on the Gym Because of MRSA Source: NovaBay Pharmaceuticals

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff in FILA’s Fall 08 Women’s Wellness Collection!! Source: FILA

Let’s Get It On Source: BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

HATFIELD, Pa.–October Is National Pork Month Source: Hatfield

SANTA MONICA, Calif.– Make a Loving Point While Making a Delicious, Healthy Meal Source: Prostate Cancer Foundation

The following knowledgeable industry leaders and scholars from Business Wire’s ExpertSource database are available to discuss topics relating to Fitness & Health IV

Dr. Jeffrey Bland ,Metagenics, Inc.: Jeffrey S. Bland, PhD, FACN (www.jeffreybland.com), is internationally respected for his ground-breaking work in functional medicine (a practice of medicine that addresses the whole person, not just a set of isolated symptoms), nutrigenomics and nutritional biochemistry, and applied clinical nutrition. Dr. Bland received his PhD from the University of Oregon in 1971, and served as a professor of chemistry at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington for 13 years. He also served as Senior Research Scientist at the Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine, and directed the Bellevue-Redmond Medical Laboratory in Washington State. He is the author of over 150 papers and five books on nutrition and its relationship to health and disease. For the past 15 years, Dr. Bland has produced Functional Medicine Update (FMU), a monthly audio tape in which he reviews and synthesizes the medical literature and interviews notable clinicians and researchers.

PR Contact: Joseline Davison, Corporate Communications, Email: [email protected], 949-369-3406

Dr. Garrett Lindemann, is chief executive officer and chief scientific officer at Gourmetceuticals. Gourmetceuticals LLC is a research-based culinary technology company that markets organically derived and scientifically tested nutraceutical ingredients that can transform human and veterinary products into gourmet functional foods. Dr. Lindemann brings more than a decade of executive leadership experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. His background includes extensive biotech research. He combines his scientific knowledge with business experiences as president of Lindemann Research Consulting Inc. and prior management positions at Histatek, Inc. and Roche Diagnostics. Dr. Lindemann uses exceptional analytical, quantitative and problem solving skills to derive and synthesize creative practical solutions to problems of science and business. In conjunction with a quality education and diverse experiences, these skills have been focused to achieve goals at the project, team, group and corporate levels. Dr. Lindemann received his Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics at the University of Kansas, and a B.S. in Biology from St. John’s University.

PR Contact: Joyce Hsieh, Assistant Account Executive, Email: [email protected], 619-849-5381

Registered journalists can submit queries to the ExpertSource staff and/or search for more experts in this and various other topics by going to www.businesswire.com and logging in with your email address and PressPass password. If you are not registered, you may do so at www.businesswire.com. For more information or assistance with ExpertSource, please contact Stacey Frank, ExpertSource Coordinator/Business Wire at 312/223-1037, [email protected].

The following are upcoming Features Package release dates:

September 16 – Fashion & Beauty III, Bridal

September 23 – Travel & Leisure V

September 25 – Pets III

Questions? Contact Business Wire’s Media Relations team at [email protected] or [email protected].

By Michelle Dynes

Types of complementary and alternative medicineNaturopathic medicine – Naturopathy supports the body’s ability to heal through diet and lifestyle changes. Traditional Chinese medicine – Practitioners believe that disease is the result of disruptions and imbalances. Herbs, meditation, massage and acupuncture attempt to restore order. Mind-body medicine – Practitioners study the interactions among the brain, mind, body and behavior.

Alternative and holistic medicine focuses on the root of ailments such as stress and nutritional needs.

By Michelle Dynes

[email protected]

CHEYENNE – Americans spend more than $2 trillion each year to treat the symptoms of chronic disease.

But 70 percent of the nation’s deaths are still the result of cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

Dan Young from The Country Doctor Wellness Center thinks the root of the problem is penicillin. The arrival of the “wonder drug” taught patients to expect health from a pill.

He said in a quick-fix society, it’s difficult for people to realize that they can take responsibility for their wellbeing.

But more and more Americans are turning to alternative and holistic healers to supplement traditional health care. More than a third of all patients visit chiropractors, acupuncturists and nutrition therapists. And practitioners in Cheyenne are helping patients find new ways to overcome stress, insomnia and digestive problems.

“What drives people here isn’t so much inspiration as desperation,” Young said.

Patients often turn to him after traditional treatments and medications failed to help them get better. For 10 years, he has assessed the nutritional needs of local patients.

While everyone knows the importance of eating healthy, few people follow the prescribed dietary guidelines. Young added that chemicals cannot give the body everything that it needs to restore and rebuild damaged cells.

As a certified nutrition counselor and traditional naturopathic doctor, he works with patients to complete daily food reviews and symptom surveys. He said he does not diagnose illness but instead helps carbohydrate addicts and sugar junkies find a healthier lifestyle.

But the approach is not an overnight solution.

“It takes three to six months just to make a dent in someone’s dietary habits,” Young said. “(Daily diet is) the most important (part of overall health), but it’s the last thing (clients) think of. We’ve become quick-fix oriented. Take this pill to fix that ill. Unfortunately, we cannot just take a pill or mix something into a drink and feel great.”

He added that nutrition counseling is comparable to a gym membership – it’s another way to stay healthy. The cost depends on the finalized patient plan and whether a client’s insurance company covers alternative health therapies.

Western medicine is geared toward treating the symptoms and not the root of the problem, said Vickie Deag. As a medical intuitive, she uses meditation, aromatherapy and pain management to help patients reduce the signs of stress.

She also has been invited by groups such as the American Cancer Society to speak about the benefits of alternative therapies.

Deag said that while the Tibetan healing method is more than 10,000 years old, it’s understandable that some people remain skeptical. But she was encouraged to learn more after her first energy cleansing 15 years ago.

Deag said she works with the body’s energy systems to produce physical and emotional wellbeing. Stress often leads to headaches and muscle pain. Deep relaxation helps harried clients unwind.

“When we are de-stressed and happy, illness cannot invade our space,” she said. “Your outlook can affect your recovery.”

Elizabeth Rhodes of the Turning Point Clinic said some patients may not like the side effects of medication and seek another way to alleviate their discomfort.

Certified in acupuncture and Oriental medicine, she works with the body’s natural networks to balance the nervous system and reduce pain. The approach also promotes relaxation and increases blood circulation.

She added that while Wyoming does not license acupuncturists, people who are interested should look for a practitioner who is regulated through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Acupuncturists also may hold licenses from another state such as Colorado, California or Texas.

“For safety and the best benefits, (acupuncturists) should be trained and educated,” Rhodes said.

Jim Rubino of Wind River Bioscan in Laramie said electro- acupuncture helped his son 17 years ago when nothing else seemed to work. It also inspired him to become an EAV practitioner. Every other Wednesday, he brings his expertise to Cheyenne during clinic sessions at the health and diet food retailer It’s Only Natural.

Low-voltage circuits pass through acupuncture points to measure the body’s stress responses and find the root of a problem. For example, a bacterial infection could be the cause of a sluggish liver.

Using the results, Rubino recommends a combination of lifestyle changes, herbs and supplements. But while the evaluative tool is approved by the Food and Drug Administration, he said the treatment is not meant to replace traditional physician visits.

“You have to be a medical doctor to make a diagnosis, no matter what your credentials are,” Rubino said.

But these types of methods can complement traditional care and offer an alternative to more invasive procedures.

Young said in 1974 a new treatment was offered to cure Parkinson’s disease for his grandfather. Surgeons cut the nerves in his wrists to eliminate the tremors. The shaking stopped, but he could no longer use his hands.

Young said it seemed that the cure was worse than the condition. He added that illness is financially, emotionally and physically draining, and it comes as no surprise that many patients want to take a more active role in their recovery.

(c) 2008 Wyoming Tribune-Eagle. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

New research suggests that a substance found in broccoli may prevent some damage that leads to serious lung disease.

US researchers found that sulforapane, commonly found in broccoli and brussel sprouts, increased the action of the NRF2 gene in human lungs, thus protecting cells from damage normally caused by toxins.

Sulforapane was also recently found to protect against blood vessel damage caused by diabetes.

The same types of vegetables have also been linked to a lower risk of heart disease.

In a recent study, a group from John Hopkins School of Medicine found lower activity of the NRF2 gene in smokers with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which kills almost 30,000 UK residents a year.

The researchers say the gene turns of many mechanisms that remove pollutants and toxins that damage cells.

Researchers have known that broccoli naturally contains sulforapane, but studies have taken place in laboratories thus far.  More research is needed before scientists can say if the gene has the same effect in humans.

Previous studies in mice showed that disturbing the NRF2 gene caused severe emphysema.

Researchers believe that increasing the activity of the NRF2 gene could lead to useful treatments for slowing or stopping COPD.

Their current study shows that sulforapane can restore levels of NRF2 in cells exposed to cigarette smoke.

“Future studies should target NRF2 as a novel strategy to increase antioxidant protection in the lungs and test its ability to improve lung function in people with COPD,” said Dr Shyam Biswal, who led the study.

“This is an important study for the 3 million people in the UK with COPD because of its findings about the imbalance of oxidants and antioxidants in the lungs,” said the spokeswoman for the British Lung Foundation.

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On the Net:

• John Hopkins School of Medicine
• British Lung Foundation
• American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine

LAKE FOREST, Calif., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ — Orqis(R) Medical Corporation announced the first implant of the new Exeleras System in a 47 year old man suffering from NYHA Class III heart failure. The man was a moderately severe heart failure patient who, without the Exeleras device, would need to decline significantly to be considered a candidate for a more invasive ventricular assist device procedure. Within 48 hours of the minimally invasive Exeleras procedure being performed, the hemodynamics shifted from being classified as ‘moderately severe’ heart failure to near normal levels.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080806/LAW519LOGO)

Exeleras is the first of its kind minimally invasive device that was successfully placed via a subcutaneous procedure in a hybrid cardiac interventional suite at Universitatsklinikum Essen, Germany. The device placement does not require a traditional operating room nor does it require the patient to undergo the hardship of an open-chest procedure. Ken Charhut, President and CEO commented, “Exeleras is well poised to provide long-term Aortic Flow Therapy to address the treatment gap where over 4 million NYHA Class III heart failure patients worldwide find themselves today. The success of the long-term Exeleras System, coupled with our short-term Cancion product, will enable physicians around the world to employ low-risk Aortic Flow Therapy to treat heart failure patients. This adoption will propel the company’s growth.

Dr Steven F. Bolling, Professor of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan was present for the procedure and added, “This is a transformational therapy with an easy to perform procedure which promises to provide a viable long-term solution to the large number of Class III heart failure patients who are far upstream of the disease progression that is typically associated with more invasive ventricular assist devices.” Dr Reynolds Delgado III, Medical Director, Mechanical Assist Devices in Heart Failure, Texas Heart Institute, contributed, “The procedure performed in Essen well-demonstrated the feasibility and hemodynamic efficacy of Aortic Flow Therapy with the Exeleras System in a patient who exemplifies the large number of patients who would directly benefit from this less-invasive approach.”

The first set of patients will be implanted with the Exeleras System to evaluate the short-term safety and performance attributes of the device. “The success of our initial clinical evaluations will allow us to best define the clinical protocols to properly study the potential long-term effect and benefit offered by this exciting new therapy,” stated Marvin Konstam, M.D. Medical Director, Orqis Medical, and Professor of Medicine, Tufts University.

About Heart Failure

Over 5 million Americans suffer from heart failure, a condition in which the heart becomes weakened and cannot pump blood efficiently. In the U.S., heart failure results in over 1 million hospitalizations annually and is responsible for over $33 billion in direct and indirect costs to the U.S. healthcare system each year.

About Orqis Medical Corporation

Orqis Medical Corporation is a privately held medical device company that develops and sells minimally invasive devices that unload the heart without touching the heart and improve cardiac performance. Orqis devices enable Aortic Flow Therapy to provide a low-risk treatment option for patients not responsive to optimal medical management but also not suitable candidates for more invasive procedures. The percutaneous Cancion product has secured the CE mark. The implantable Exeleras(R) System is in clinical development. For more information on Orqis Medical, please visit http://www.orqis.com/

Note: Orqis(R), Cancion(R), and Exeleras(R) are registered trademarks of Orqis Medical Corporation.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080806/LAW519LOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk, [email protected]

Orqis Medical Corporation

CONTACT: financial inquiries, David Richards, Controller of OrqisMedical Corporation, +1-949-268-7866

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