MedWorm: Biotechnology Top 20

Walker returns federal health exchange grant

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:33:19 +0100

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker announced he will not pursue the implementation of a health insurance exchange and has turned down $38 million Early Innovator Grant funding from the federal government. Walker also announced Wednesday he will repeal the executive order that created the Office of Free Market Health Care created by Gov. Jim Doyle. “Stopping the encroachment of ObamaCare in our state, which has the potential to have a devastating impact on Wisconsin’s economy, is a top priority," Walker said... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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Response Genetics raises $7.8 million in stock sale

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:53:41 +0100

Response Genetics Inc. said it has raised more than $7.8 million through the private placement of 5.3 million in newly issued stock. The Los Angeles-based company, which makes molecular diagnostic tests for cancer, said it sold the shares to undisclosed investors for $1.50 a share, a premium of 27 percent above its closing stock price of $1.18 a share on Wednesday. New investors accounted for the majority of the financing, while existing investors, as well as board members and senior management, made up the remainder, Response Genetics said... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Obesity control drug by generic firm Lannett approved by FDA

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:10:50 +0100

Lannett Co. Inc. received its second approval for a generic drug product this week when the Food and Drug Administration cleared its application for phentermine hydrochloride capsules for use in the short-term management of obesity. Its product will join other generic phentermine products that generated sales of about $11 million last year, according to the pharmaceutical information services and publishing company Wolters Kluwer. Lannett (NYSE Amex:LCI) of Philadelphia said it expects to begin shipping the product shortly... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Alabama lawmakers file bills to legalize medical marijuana

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:02:59 +0100

Two Alabama House members from opposing parties have filed similar bills seeking to legalize the medical use of marijuana. With the 2012 session to begin Tuesday, Rep. Patricia Todd (D-Birmingham) is again carrying a bill that would allow qualifying patients to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana if prescribed by a physician. Meanwhile, Rep. K.L. Brown, R-Jacksonville, a funeral home owner who says his sister used marijuana to control pain before her death from breast cancer 25 years ago, has filed a similar bill... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Duluth man indicted on health-care fraud

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:05:12 +0100

A federal grand jury in Atlanta on Wednesday indicted Duluth, Ga., resident David Song Sen Cui on allegations of $5.5 million in Medicare fraud. According to U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates, the charges and other information presented in court, from November 2008 through August 2011, Cui ran the Atlanta Hope Medical Group Inc. clinic in Doraville, Ga. The clinic claimed to provide physical therapy services for elderly patients. The clinic actually offered massage services performed by unlicensed massage therapists, the federal government claims... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

President, CFO leave HealthSpring following Cigna deal

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:56:19 +0100

Two executives have left HealthSpring following the company's merger with Cigna, which closed earlier this week. Karey Witty, executive vice president and chief financial officer of HealthSpring, and Michael Mirt, president of the company, are no longer with the company, as of Jan. 31, the day Cigna’s $3.8 billion acquisition of Franklin-based HealthSpring was finalized. Mirt's duties will split between two HealthSpring executive vice presidents, Shawn Morris and Scott Huebner. Morris will be president of operations, and Huebner president of clinical operations... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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ThermoGenesis chooses new CEO, eliminates 8 positions

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:31:39 +0100

ThermoGenesis Corp. announced a management shake-up Monday that will put Matthew Plavan in the top spot as chief executive officer. Plavan, currently chief financial officer and executive vice president for business development, replaces J. Melville Engle, who has retired as chairman and CEO. The Rancho Cordova-based company has eliminated eight other positions but won’t divulge details until a conference call with investors Feb. 9. ... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Sciatica from a Foraminal Lumbar Root Schwannoma: Case Report and Review of Literature

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:11:39 +0100

Sciatica is commonly caused by lumbar prolapsed intervertebral disc (PID) and other spinal lesions. Uncommon causes like nerve root schwannoma are rarely considered in the differential diagnosis of sciatica. Spinal schwannomas occur both sporadically and in association with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1; von Recklinghausen's disease). This case report describes lumbar foraminal schwannoma as an unusual cause of radiculopathy, presenting clinically as a lumbar disc prolapse. The diagnosis was confirmed on MRI scan. Patient had complete symptomatic recovery following surgical enucleation of the tumour mass from the L5 nerve root. This case report is of particular interest as it highlights the diagnostic confusion, which is bound to arise, because the clinical presentation closely mimics a lu...

Businessman pleads guilty to selling, not delivering wheelchairs

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:35:36 +0100

The owner of 1st Class Mobility, Carlos B. Jerez, 35, formerly of Sacramento, pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Sacramento to 16 counts of wire fraud for not delivering wheelchairs and scooters that disabled clients paid to have shipped to them. ... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Bayada Home Health Care buys Nursefinders

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:30:34 +0100

Bayada Home Health Care has acquired Nursefinders Home Care. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Under the agreement, 16 Nursefinders Home Care offices in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Texas will become part of Moorestown, N.J.-based Bayada. Nursefinders Home Care President Linda Sheffield will join Bayada as a division director. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Keratitis due to Chaetomium sp.

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:24:12 +0100

Conclusion. Fungi of the genus Chaetomium, which are rare causes of human disease (systemic mycosis, endocarditis, subcutaneous lesions), may also cause ocular lesions. (Source: Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology)

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Cempra enjoys modest gain on trading

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:28:05 +0100

Shares of Chapel Hill drug developer Cempra (Nasdaq: CEMP) opened at $6.20 on its first day of trading as a public company, up 3.3 percent from the IPO price of $6. A total of 8.4 million shares at a price well below the expected $11 to $13. For more, go here. Cempra is headed by CEO Prabha Fernandes. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Gilead hires Roy Baynes as senior VP, oncology therapeutics

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:58:27 +0100

Gilead Sciences Inc. said Wednesday it has hired Dr. Roy Baynes as its senior vice president, oncology therapeutics. The Foster City-based biopharmaceutical company (NASDAQ:GILD) said Baynes is expected to report to Norbert Bischofberger, executive vice president, R&D and chief scientific officer, in his new role. Bayes is also joining Gilead’s executive committee. Baynes previously worked at Amgen Inc. as the vice president, global development and therapeutic area head hematology oncology. Click here to read the press release from Gilead... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Stanley Black & Decker, Adventist cutting 242 jobs in Baltimore area

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:52:21 +0100

Stanley Black & Decker is closing a West Baltimore facility and cutting 142 jobs, according to a notice with the state’s labor department. Meanwhile, Adventist Behavioral Health is closing a Crownsville facility and laying off 100 people, a separate filing with the state said. Stanley Black & Decker plans to close its Baltimore Protection Net Center on Sisson Street, the filing said. The layoffs will take place in waves, starting April 1-14, and ending with a Oct. 23-Nov. 6 wave. Adventist is closing a treatment facility and school in Crownsville on March 31... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Columbus medical homes move forward without state training grants

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:51:46 +0100

With its own privately coordinated medical home project in full swing, Central Ohio is not part of a growing state initiative to train primary care doctors as wellness quarterbacks. The state is investing $1 million in training for 50 primary care practices to convert to the patient-centered medical home model, which emphasizes coordination, prevention and follow-up in the hopes of keeping patients out of emergency rooms and hospitals. The initiative by the Ohio Department of Health and the state Office of Health Transformation is centered on Athens, Dayton, Toledo and the Akron/Canton region... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Tennessee annouces trade mission to China, South Korea

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:48:02 +0100

Tennessee officials will soon lead a trade mission to China and South Korea, with Commissioner Bill Hagerty of the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development at the helm. The trip, according to an announcement, will focus on medical device manufacturers and other health care companies. Executives can apply for the mission and learn more at the department’s web site, with a deadline of Feb. 1. The delegation will travel from April 15 to 21. The medical device industry — led locally by the presence of Smith & Nephew, Wright Medical Group Inc... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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On the q-Euler Numbers and Polynomials with Weight 0

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:11:39 +0100

The purpose of this paper is to investigate some properties of q-Euler numbers and polynomials with weight 0. From those q-Euler numbers with weight 0, we derive some identities on the q-Euler numbers and polynomials with weight 0. (Source: Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology)

Determinants and Congruence of Species Richness Patterns across Multiple Taxonomic Groups on a Regional Scale

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:11:39 +0100

Applying multiple generalized regression models, we studied spatial patterns in species richness for different taxonomic groups (amphibians, reptiles, grasshoppers, plants, mosses) within the German federal state Rhineland-Palatinate (RP). We aimed (1) to detect their centres of richness, (2) to rate the influence of climatic and land-use parameters on spatial patterns, and (3) to test whether patterns are congruent between taxonomic groups in RP. Centres of species richness differed between taxonomic groups and overall richness was the highest in the valleys of large rivers and in different areas of southern RP. Climatic parameters strongly correlated with richness in all taxa whereas land use was less significant. Spatial richness patterns of all groups were to a certain extent congruent...

Etanercept-Induced Myelopathy in a Pediatric Case of Blau Syndrome

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:11:39 +0100

We describe a case of pediatric Blau syndrome affected by etanercept-induced myelopathy, manifesting as a clinical syndrome of transverse myelitis. The patient experienced rapid recovery after etanercept was discontinued. To our knowledge, this is the first such case reported in the literature and, possibly, the one with the latest onset, following 8 years of treatment. We discuss the etiopathogenic mechanisms of this reaction and possible explanations for the imaging findings. (Source: Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology)

Ultrasound-Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Opening.

Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:32:58 +0100

Authors: Konofagou EE, Tung YS, Choi J, Deffieux T, Baseri B, Vlachos F Abstract Over 4 million U.S. men and women suffer from Alzheimer's disease; 1 million from Parkinson's disease; 350,000 from multiple sclerosis (MS); and 20,000 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Worldwide, these four diseases account for more than 20 million patients. In addition, aging greatly increases the risk of neurodegenerative disease. Although great progress has been made in recent years toward understanding of these diseases, few effective treatments and no cures are currently available. This is mainly due to the impermeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) that allows only 5% of the 7000 small-molecule drugs available to treat only a tiny fraction of these diseases. On the other hand, safe ...