MedWorm: Biotechnology

Enhanced MALDI-TOF MS Analysis of Phosphopeptides Using an Optimized DHAP/DAHC Matrix

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:08:40 +0100

In this study, we systematically assessed matrix combinations of 2, 6-dihydroxyacetophenone (DHAP) and diammonium hydrogen citrate (DAHC), and demonstrated that the low ratio DHAP/DAHC matrix was more effective in enhancing the ionization of phosphopeptides. Low femtomole level of phosphopeptides from the tryptic digests of α-casein and β-casein was readily detected by MALDI-TOF-MS in both positive and negative ion mode without desalination or phosphopeptide enrichment. Compared with the DHB/PA matrix, the optimized DHAP/DAHC matrix yielded superior sample homogeneity and higher phosphopeptide measurement sensitivity, particularly when multiple phosphorylated peptides were assessed. Finally, the DHAP/DAHC matrix was applied to identify phosphorylation sites from α-case...

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Echinococcus multilocularis and Its Intermediate Host: A Model of Parasite-Host Interplay

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:08:40 +0100

Host-parasite interactions in the E. multilocularis-intermediate host model depend on a subtle balance between cellular immunity, which is responsible for host's resistance towards the metacestode, the larval stage of the parasite, and tolerance induction and maintenance. The pathological features of alveolar echinococcosis. the disease caused by E. multilocularis, are related both to parasitic growth and to host's immune response, leading to fibrosis and necrosis, The disease spectrum is clearly dependent on the genetic background of the host as well as on acquired disturbances of Th1-related immunity. The laminated layer of the metacestode, and especially its carbohydrate components, plays a major role in tolerance induction. Th2-type and anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-10 and TG...

Aquaporin Expression in Normal and Pathological Skeletal Muscles: A Brief Review with Focus on AQP4

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:08:40 +0100

Freeze-fracture electron microscopy enabled us to observe the molecular architecture of the biological membranes. We were studying the myofiber plasma membranes of health and disease by using this technique and were interested in the special assembly called orthogonal arrays (OAs). OAs were present in normal myofiber plasma membranes and were especially numerous in fast twitch type 2 myofibers; while OAs were lost from sarcolemmal plasma membranes of severely affected muscles with dystrophinopathy and dysferlinopathy but not with caveolinopathy. In the mid nineties of the last century, the OAs turned out to be a water channel named aquaporin 4 (AQP4). Since this discovery, several groups of investigators have been studying AQP4 expression in diseased muscles. This review summarizes the pap...

Titin Diversity—Alternative Splicing Gone Wild

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:08:40 +0100

Titin is an extremely large protein found in highest concentrations in heart and skeletal muscle. The single mammalian gene is expressed in multiple isoforms as a result of alternative splicing. Although titin isoform expression is controlled developmentally and in a tissue specific manner, the vast number of potential splicing pathways far exceeds those described in any other alternatively spliced gene. Over 1 million human splice pathways for a single individual can be potentially derived from the PEVK region alone. A new splicing pattern for the human cardiac N2BA isoform type has been found in which the PEVK region includes only the N2B type exons. The alterations in splicing and titin isoform expression in human heart disease provide impetus for future detailed study of the splicing m...

SAROTUP: Scanner and Reporter of Target-Unrelated Peptides

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:08:40 +0100

In this study, we present SAROTUP, a free web tool for scanning, reporting and excluding possible target-unrelated peptides from real mimotopes. Preliminary tests show that SAROTUP is efficient and capable of improving the accuracy of mimotope-based epitope mapping. It is also helpful for the development of mimotope-based diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. (Source: Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology)

The Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane: A Model of Molecular, Structural, and Functional Adaptation to Transepithelial Ion Transport and Barrier Function during Embryonic Development

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:08:40 +0100

The chick chorioallantoic membrane is a very simple extraembryonic membrane which serves multiple functions during embryo development; it is the site of exchange of respiratory gases, calcium transport from the eggshell, acid-base homeostasis in the embryo, and ion and H2O reabsorption from the allantoic fluid. All these functions are accomplished by its epithelia, the chorionic and the allantoic epithelium, by differentiation of a wide range of structural and molecular peculiarities which make them highly specialized, ion transporting epithelia. Studying the different aspects of such a developmental strategy emphasizes the functional potential of the epithelium and offers an excellent model system to gain insights into questions partly still unresolved. (Source: Journal of Biomedicine and...

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Health care bill set for House vote Sunday

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 05:25:48 +0100

The U.S. House of Representatives will vote Sunday on the controversial health reform package passed by the Senate on Christmas Eve. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Colorado's Tri-County Health gets $10.5M stimulus grant

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:08:43 +0100

Tri-County Health Department -- the public-health agency for Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties, will receive a $10.5 million grant under the federal stimulus program for initiatives to support healthy eating and exercise. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Report: State fails to check background of caregivers

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:35:28 +0100

The state exposed elderly residents in long-term care facilities to dangerous caregivers by failing to put into practice a 2006 law that required state regulators to establish a centralized database for background checks, according to a report released Friday. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Biostatistics and Microbiology - A Survival Manual. D. S. Paulson (2008). New York: Springer. ISBN: 978-0-387-77281-3.

Biometrical Journal — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

No Abstract (Source: Biometrical Journal)

1,200 SEIU workers at California Pacific OK new contract

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:23:13 +0100

Members of Service Employees International Union at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco last night ratified a new contact, the union said late Friday afternoon. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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Shareholders sue St. Jude Medical over earnings prediction

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:58:09 +0100

St. Jude Medical Inc. is facing a federal securities class-action lawsuit claiming that the medical device maker and two of its top executives misrepresented the company’s financial situation to shareholders last year. (STJ) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Obama wants to help San Antonians get fit

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:30:34 +0100

San Antonio Metropolitan Health District received a check for $15.6 million to help local residents battle the bulge by encouraging them to lose weight and get in shape. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Murphy, Tonko to back health care bill

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:02:59 +0100

U.S. Reps. Scott Murphy (D-Glens Falls) and Paul Tonko (D-Amsterdam) will both vote in favor of the $940 billion health care bill under debate in Congress. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Tonko supports health care bill, Murphy undecided

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:02:59 +0100

U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko (D-Amsterdam) announced Friday that he will vote in favor of the $940 billion health care bill being debated in Congress. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Upbeat economic forecast cheers Colorado lawmakers

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:58:46 +0100

Colorado legislators say they won’t have to continue cutting services or raising fees to balance the state budget for the next year, and bills proposing further revenue increases from businesses could be tabled, after receiving a favorable economic forecast Friday. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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Temple University Hospital union gives strike notice

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:44:52 +0100

Temple University Hospital received a strike notice Friday from the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP), the union representing 1,500 registered nurses and allied-health professionals at the North Philadelphia medical center. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Colorado fines Aetna companies

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:07:40 +0100

Two Aetna insurance companies have paid fines totaling $624,000 for market conduct violations, the Colorado Division of Insurance said on Friday. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Southwest Washington Health System may merge with PeaceHealth

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:04:05 +0100

Southwest Washington Health System could become part of the PeaceHealth family of hospitals in as little as six months, depending on the outcome of negotiations now under way between the two medical groups. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Health care bill's $100M for TN hospitals not a 'special deal'

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:58:06 +0100

Tennessee’s congressional delegation successfully negotiated for $100 million in payments to state hospitals in the latest version of health care reform legislation, but officials said the arrangement isn’t a “special deal.” (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

JeffCo wins $13M grant to battle obesity, smoking

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:55:07 +0100

The Jefferson County Department of Health has received two federal grants totaling more than $13.3 million to target tobacco use and obesity in the area. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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TMNG Global study touts mobile technology’s potential role in health care

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:52:53 +0100

TMNG Global, an Overland Park-based telecommunications consultant, says mobile technology could have great benefits for health care, though the market still is too fragmented. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Health Services moves complaint system online

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:52:03 +0100

The Arizona Department of Health Services has moved the complaint system for its Division of Licensing Services online. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Cerner will join S&P 500

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:51:18 +0100

Cerner Corp. will join the ranks of the S&P 500, according to Standard & Poor’s. (BJS) (BHI) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Health department awarded $6.6M grant

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:43:24 +0100

The Orange County Health Department was awarded a $6.6 million grant by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services that will be used for tobacco prevention and control. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Vanguard plans to purchase Detroit hospitals

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:14:57 +0100

Nashville-based Vanguard Health Systems plans to purchase a chain of eight nonprofit hospitals in Detroit in a deal that would vault the company’s annual revenue from $3.2 billion to well over $5 billion. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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Boston Scientific defibrillator wins FDA nod

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:39:56 +0100

Boston Scientific Corp. reports that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new use for one of its defibrillator products. (BSX) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Miami-Dade gets $14.7M grant for obesity prevention

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:07:55 +0100

The Miami-Dade County Health Department will receive $14.7 million for obesity prevention, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said Friday. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

US Oncology-Baylor venture dubbed ‘med fusion’

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:05:17 +0100

A new molecular diagnostics laboratory set up to combine the strengths of four Texas medical entities has an appropriate name. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

UC Denver med school launches stem-cell center

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:04:55 +0100

University of Colorado Denver's School of Medicine said Friday that its stem-cell research and treatment programs have been placed under a new regional center. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

City awarded $7.9 million grant to improve health

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:00:14 +0100

The city of Louisville has been awarded a $7.9 million grant from the federal government to help it improve its health initiatives. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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$9.5M Facebook privacy settlement approved

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:55:07 +0100

A federal judge has approved a $9.5 million settlement in a privacy lawsuit against Facebook Inc., which will put about $6 million into a non-profit foundation to promote online privacy. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Austin receives $7.4M to curb tobacco use

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:53:26 +0100

Austin was awarded $7.4 million in stimulus funds to decrease tobacco use and exposure to second hand smoke. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Scripps, Moffitt share $2M grant

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:37:33 +0100

Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter and the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa will share a nearly $2 million grant to work on cancer therapies. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Moffitt, Scripps get $2M National Cancer Institute grant

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:22:02 +0100

Researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute and Scripps Florida were awarded a five-year, nearly $2 million grant from the National Cancer Institute. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

FDA turns back A.P. Pharma nausea drug

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:16:29 +0100

Shares of A.P. Pharma tumbled about 44 percent mid-day as the Food and Drug Administration raised questions about the company’s drug for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. (APPA) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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Dispute between Medafor, CryoLife heats up

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:45:34 +0100

A month after Medafor Inc. rebuffed a major distributor’s attempts to buy it, the Brooklyn Center-based medical technology firm has ended its distribution agreement with the company. (CRY) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Baylor Health Care System, Texas Oncology, Pathologists Biomedical Laboratories and US Oncology join forces to create 'med fusion'

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:27:37 +0100

Baylor Health Care System, Texas Oncology PA, Pathologists Biomedical Laboratories LLP and US Oncology have joined to create a new company integrating advanced laboratory services and clinical trials services in Lewisville. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Oconomowoc Memorial cutting jobs

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:17:09 +0100

Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital is cutting staff levels and will not fill some open positions because of the opening of Aurora Health Care's hospital in nearby Summit. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Austin commission suggests site for St. David’s North Austin Medical Center

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:56:05 +0100

The Austin Zoning and Platting Commission, which advises city council on projects in the extra territorial jurisdiction, recommended a long-term plan for the St. David’s North Austin Medical Center campus this week, identifying 1.5 million square feet of potential medical office and hospital development. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Elon poll: N.C. favors health reform

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:38:48 +0100

Most North Carolinians say the U.S. system of health care needs reform, and almost half of those who favor reform want more government involvement, according to the latest Elon poll. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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Ordway, RPI labs win stem cell research grants

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:14:24 +0100

Two Albany, N.Y. area labs are among 16 statewide to share in $34.7 million in stem cell research grants from the state Department of Health. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Colorado's Markey to vote yes on health reform measure

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:55:02 +0100

U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey of Colorado says she will vote "yes" on a health-care reform package that Congress is likely to take up this weekend. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Colorado's Markey switching to 'yes' vote on health reform

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:55:02 +0100

U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey of Colorado says she will switch her vote to "yes" on the health-care reform bill now before Congress. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Moffitt licenses technology to Proteacel

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:59:57 +0100

Moffitt Cancer Center and Proteacel LLC signed a licensing agreement under which Proteacel acquired the exclusive rights to a technology for delivery of genes into cells. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Friedlander pleads guilty in federal drug, fraud case

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:46:30 +0100

Dr. Jeffrey Friedlander pleaded guilty to conspiring illegally to distribute and dispense controlled substances and conspiring to defraud Medicare. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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Jackson Health, SEIU iron out deal

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:36:01 +0100

Jackson Health System reached a tentative labor agreement with its major health care workers union on Thursday that could help ease its financial problems. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Which sperm will win the race to the egg: the green one or the red one?

Scientific American Topic - Biotechnology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:30:00 +0100

Once they're inside the female reproductive organs, sperm pull out all the stops to outrace their rivals to the egg--especially if the opponent comes from another male. The process that determines which sperm wins, called "postcopulatory sexual selection," has been difficult to tease out, until now. [More] (Source: Scientific American Topic - Biotechnology)

Health care reform package finalized

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:47:00 +0100

Congressional Democratic leaders on Thursday released language for a “sidecar” bill that, together with the Senate’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, comprises Congress’ final health care reform package, according to the American Hospital Association. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Transcription factors boost genetic differences to make individuals unique

Scientific American Topic - Biotechnology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:45:00 +0100

The 23,000 protein-coding genes in the human genome can help determine whether a person will have blond hair or black, flat feet or arched. But that's hardly the whole story behind the millions of tiny differences among people. Most of the genome is so-called noncoding DNA , whose role in determining individual differences is only just starting to be understood. [More] (Source: Scientific American Topic - Biotechnology)

Workers threatening strike at Temple University Hospital

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:20:37 +0100

The Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP) said Thursday they will deliver a strike notice to Temple University Hospital on Friday. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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Researchers create metal with a memory

Scientific American Topic - Biotechnology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:15:00 +0100

Builders and engineers must often choose between materials that are strong and those that are flexible--rarely will they find a substance with both properties in abundance. Researchers are trying to change this through the development of "shape metal" alloys that are strong enough to resist high levels of strain while also being flexible enough to recover their original shape when a certain amount of heat is applied. [More] (Source: Scientific American Topic - Biotechnology)

Proposed cuts to TennCare reduced, but still hit providers

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:58:24 +0100

Tennessee will get another $121 million from the federal government to fund TennCare this year, extra money that will help postpone many of the proposed cuts to the state’s Medicare managed care program. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

TennCare cuts won't go as deep, state gets $121M in federal funds

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:20:07 +0100

Tennessee will get another $121 million from the federal goverment to fund TennCare this year, extra money that will help postpone many of the proposed cuts to the state’s Medicare managed care program. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Milwaukee achieves silver Well City status

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:06:24 +0100

Milwaukee isn’t known for its health consciousness, but that could change now that it has been named a Silver Well City USA, according to a news release issued Thursday from Well City Milwaukee. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Blue Cross Minnesota names new CFO

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:39:24 +0100

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota on Thursday named Pamela Sedmak as chief financial officer and senior vice presidenty. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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Christ-Alliance whistleblower suit settled

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:59:50 +0100

A settlement with the federal government might have Christ Hospital and the Health Alliance paying about $110 million in a whistleblower lawsuit. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Aveo completes IPO, nets $73 million

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:49:09 +0100

Aveo Pharmaceuticals Inc. has completed its initial public offering of common stock. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Virtua joins Bravo Health’s Medicare Advantage provider list

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:16:08 +0100

Bravo Health, a provider of Medicare Advantage managed-care plans, said Thursday it has bolstered its South Jersey presence by adding Virtua to its provider network. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Premier unit signs supply contracts

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:08:36 +0100

Premier Purchasing Partners has awarded supply agreements several health-care companies. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Rhythmia Medical lands $2.7 million

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:06:07 +0100

Medical device maker Rhythmia Medical Inc. has raised $2.7 million in equity financing, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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Novelos cancels lung-cancer drug project

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:00:40 +0100

Novelos Therapeutics Inc. has spiked an effort to develop a lung-cancer drug to augment traditional chemotherapy treatments. The move comes roughly a month after the the company said a recent phase-3 trial for the drug candidate failed to show any benefits relative to traditional treatments. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

FDA approves Envoy Medical’s hearing restoration device

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:11:29 +0100

Federal regulators have approved a fully implantable hearing restoration device developed by White Bear Township-based Envoy Medical Corp. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Judge approves deal to protect Community Health Systems' investment in Spheris

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:41:04 +0100

A judge has approved Spheris Inc.’s request to implement an amended contract with its largest customer and investor Community Health Systems Inc., extending the companies’ agreement by seven years and freeing up about $9 million that Spheris needs to operate during bankruptcy. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Shrake resigns as president, CEO of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:31:42 +0100

Kevin Shrake resigned Wednesday as president and chief executive of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville, Ill. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Identification of an MSI-H Tumor-Specific Cytotoxic T Cell Epitope Generated by the (−1) Frame of U79260(FTO)

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:29:23 +0100

Microsatellite instability (MSI-H) induced by defects of the DNA mismatch repair system results in insertion or deletion of single nucleotides at short repetitive DNA sequences. About 15% of sporadic and approximately 90% of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancers display MSI-H. When affecting coding regions, MSI-H results in frameshift mutations and expression of corresponding frameshift peptides (FSPs). Functional tumor promoting relevance has been demonstrated for a growing number of genes frequently hit by MSI-H. Contrary, immune reactions against FSPs are involved in the immune surveillance of MSI-H cancers. Here, we provide conclusive data that the (−1) frame of U79260(FTO) encodes an HLA-A0201-restricted cytotoxic T cell epitope (FSP11; TLSPGWSAV). T cells specific...

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In Vivo Bioassay of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone Synthesized in B. mori Pupae

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:29:23 +0100

The human growth hormone (hGH) has been expressed in prokaryotic expression system with low bioactivity previously. Then the effective B. mori baculovirus system was employed to express hGH identical to mature hGH successfully in larvae, but the expression level was still limited. In this work, the hGH was expressed in B. mori pupae by baculovirus system. Quantification of recombinant hGH protein (BmrhGH) showed that the expression of BmrhGH reached the level of approximately 890 μg/mL pupae supernatant solution, which was five times more than the level using larvae. Furthermore, Animals were gavaged with BmrhGH at the dose of 4.5 mg/rat.day, and the body weight gain (BWG) of treated group had a significant difference (P<.01) compared with the control group. T...

Volume Density, Distribution, and Ultrastructure of Secretory and Basolateral Membranes and Mitochondria Predict Parietal Cell Secretory (Dys)function

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:29:23 +0100

Acid secretion in gastric parietal cells requires highly coordinated membrane transport and vesicle trafficking. Histologically, consensus defines acid secretion as the ratio of the volume density (Vd) of canalicular and apical membranes (CAMs) to tubulovesicular (TV) membranes, a value which varies widely under normal conditions. Examination of numerous achlorhydric mice made it clear that this paradigm is discrepant when used to assess most mice with genetic mutations affecting acid secretion. Vd of organelles in parietal cells of 6 genetically engineered mouse strains was obtained to identify a stable histological phenotype of acid secretion. We confirmed that CAM to TV ratio fairly represented secretory activity in untreated and secretion-inhibited wild-type (WT) mice and in NHE2ȡ...

Glucagon Effects on Ischemic Vasodilatation in the Isolated Rat Heart

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:29:23 +0100

In this study, we investigated the ischemic vasodilation of the isolated rat heart, as well as the concentrations of NO, TBARS, and histamine in the coronary venous effluent either in the presence or in the absence of glucagon. Our results showed that in the presence of glucagon, there was a faster restoration of coronary perfusion pressure during ischemic vasodilation compared to the absence of glucagon (124±5.6 versus 81±5.2 s) with no apparent changes in TBARS concentration. The glucagon's administration leads to the decreased release of histamine by approximately 35%. Biphasic release of NO in the presence of glucagon initially showed augmentation by 60%, followed by the significant attenuation of 45%. (Source: Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnol...

Teva to buy fellow generic drug giant Ratiopharm for $5B

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:25:55 +0100

Generic drug giant Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has agreed to buy Ratiopharm, a German generic drug manufacturer, for $4.97 billion. (TEVA) (PFE) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Kendle gets $35M credit line

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:19:04 +0100

Kendle International Inc. said Thursday it has secured a new $35 million revolving credit facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank (NYSE: JPM). (JPM) (KNDL) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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Maryland delegates weighing a bill extending millionaires' tax

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:18:06 +0100

The state House of Delegates is considering a bill that would make permanent the so-called millionaires' tax, which is currently set to expire this year. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Opko Health narrows losses

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:10:44 +0100

Opko Health narrowed its losses last year as it improved sales by acquiring a pharmaceutical company. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Robertson Foundation gives Duke $10.2M for stem-cell research center

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:57:48 +0100

The Robertson Foundation is donating $10.2 million to Duke University to create a Translational Cell Therapy Center to advance research into stem cell therapies. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Genentech hires Cytokinetics founder for new position

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:40:56 +0100

Genentech Inc.’s early drug research unit hired former Cytokinetics Inc. founder, CEO and chairman Dr. James Sabry as vice president of partnering. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Emily Program drops plans in Orono

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:03:26 +0100

Emily Program has canceled plans to open an eating-disorder clinic at the historic Hill School in Orono, due to delays by the City Council and increased opposition from neighbors. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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Mo. to get $840,000 in $42.5M Alpharma settlement

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:51:51 +0100

Alpharma Inc. has agreed to give Missouri $840,000 of the $42.5 million it is paying to settle a whistleblower lawsuit about the marketing of its morphine-based drug Kadian. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

KCI launches new wound-care product in Canada, Europe

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:43:11 +0100

Kinetic Concepts Inc. (KCI) has rolled out a new wound-management system in the European and Canadian markets. (KCI) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine dean Rubenstein leaving next year

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:10:38 +0100

Dr. Arthur Rubenstein is stepping down as dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and executive vice president of the University of Pennsylvania Health System after he completes his current term on June 30, 2011. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Teva to buy fellow generic drug giant Ratiopharm for $5B

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:08:28 +0100

Generic drug giant Teva has agreed to buy Ratiopharm, a German generic drug manufacturer, for $4.97 billion. (TEVA) (PFE) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Velos names Kamar Aulakh as COO

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:01:25 +0100

Velos Inc. named Kamar Aulakh as its chief operating officer on Thursday. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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Harden Healthcare closes $235 loan

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:08:36 +0100

Austin-based Harden Healthcare LLC closed a $235 million debt recapitalization, which includes $145 million worth in senior credit and the remaining amount in subordinated notes. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Harden Healthcare receives $32M infusion, planning $145M loan

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:08:36 +0100

Austin-based Harden Healthcare LLP received a $31.5 million infusion as part of plans to borrow $145 million, according to a press release Thursday morning. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Seton Hospitals cutting 152 jobs

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:33:06 +0100

A Seton Family of Hospitals spokeswoman confirmed the health system is cutting 151.5 positions this month, affecting about 120 workers. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Theravance to sell 7.5M shares

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:00:07 +0100

Drug company Theravance Inc. plans to sell 7.5 million shares of its stock. (THRX) (GSK) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Small Dogs Prove Susceptible to Flea Poison

Scientific American Topic - Biotechnology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 06:00:00 +0100

Warning that the powerful poisons can endanger dogs and cats, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will require new instructions and labeling for on-spot flea products. [More] (Source: Scientific American Topic - Biotechnology)

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Production of ethanol by the white-rot basidiomycetes Peniophora cinerea and Trametes suaveolens.

Biotechnology Letters — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Okamoto K, Imashiro K, Akizawa Y, Onimura A, Yoneda M, Nitta Y, Maekawa N, Yanase H The white-rot basidiomycetes, Peniophora cinerea and Trametes suaveolens, can produce ethanol from hexoses. Although T. suaveolens produced negligible amounts of ethanol under aerobic conditions, P. cinerea produced ethanol under both aerobic and semi-aerobic conditions and assimilated glucose, mannose, fructose, galactose, sucrose, maltose and cellobiose with yields of ethanol of 0.41, 0.45, 0.44, 0.19, 0.41, 0.44 and 0.45 g per g hexose, respectively. The corresponding results for T. suaveolens were 0.39, 0.3, 0.13, 0.2, 0.37, 0.35 and 0.31 g ethanol/g hexose. Furthermore, P. cinerea exhibited simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of amorphous cellulose. PMID: 20238143 [PubMed - ...

PEGylation of alpha-momorcharin: synthesis and characterization of novel anti-tumor conjugates with therapeutic potential.

Biotechnology Letters — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Bian X, Shen F, Chen Y, Wang B, Deng M, Meng Y Alpha-momorcharin (alpha-MMC) is a ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) with excellent cytotoxicity to tumor cells. However, its strong immunogenicity and short plasma half-life limit its clinical applications. To overcome this, we have to PEGylated alpha-MMC using a branched 20 kDa (mPEG) (2)-Lys-NHS. Homogeneous mono-, di- and tri-PEGylated alpha-MMCs were synthesized, purified and characterized. In vitro and in vivo analysis indicated that the serial PEG-conjugates preserved moderate anti-tumor activity with 36% acute toxicity and at most 66% immunogenicity decrease. These results suggested the potential application of alpha-MMC-PEG conjugates as an anti-tumor agent. PMID: 20238144 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source...

Arca BioPharma gets NASDAQ warning

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:32:07 +0100

Colorado biotech company Arca BioPharma Inc. said Wednesday it has notified by the NASDAQ Stock Market that it has fallen short of equity requirements for continued listing. (ABIO) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Centene's expanded contract to bring in $45M more a year

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:17:29 +0100

Centene Corp. said one of its subsidiaries, Cenpatico Behavioral Health of Arizona (Cenpatico), has been awarded an expanded contract by the Arizona Department of Health Services. (CNC) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Report: Nobel laureate Varmus to head National Cancer Institute

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:23:09 +0100

Former UCSF researcher Harold Varmus — winner of the 1989 Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine with former Chancellor Michael Bishop — is the top candidate to lead the National Cancer Institute, according to a cancer research publication. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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WellCare gets ratings boost

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:14:22 +0100

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services upgraded WellCare Heath Plans Inc., raising the company’s credit rating to “B” from “B-.” (WCG) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Synergetics profit doubles in Q4

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:50:09 +0100

Synergetics USA Inc.’s profit more than doubled in the second quarter. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

State medical examiner arrested on drug charges, loses jobs

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:21:12 +0100

Tennessee medical examiner Bruce Levy was arrested Tuesday night on felony marijuana charges in Mississippi, and his contract has now been terminated by state officials. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Commonwealth Court to hear Highmark injunction request Monday

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:31:35 +0100

Pennsylvania's Commonwealth Court on Monday is scheduled to hear Highmark’s request for an injunction against the state’s disclosure of information gathered in a wide-ranging review of Pennsylvania’s health insurance market. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Spinal Restoration closes $20M financing round

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:58:18 +0100

Medical research firm Spinal Restoration Inc. has completed a $20 million round of financing. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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Small business owners show more optimism, will increase spending

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:51:34 +0100

Small businesses are feeling better about future business prospects — nearing optimism levels before the economic crisis, a new survey from American City Business Journals shows. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

$187M health sciences building closing in on reality

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:36:07 +0100

The Arizona Board of Regents may be a step closer to building the $187 million Health Sciences Education Building on the Phoenix Biomedical Campus. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

NY tax refund checks not in the mail

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:10:05 +0100

New York state has temporarily stopped issuing income tax refund checks, hoarding money to help the state pay more than $14 billion of bills due this month. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

CardioSpectra founders win UT System Chancellor’s award for entrepreneurship

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:53:20 +0100

University of Texas System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa honored three professors within the system — including one in San Antonio — with the 2010 Chancellor’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Award. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Molecular Insight receives Nasdaq warning

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:50:21 +0100

Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals Inc., an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical firm, has received a non-compliance delisting notice from the Nasdaq Stock Market. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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Alkermes starts drug trial for opiod users

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:30:23 +0100

Drug developer Alkermes Inc. has launched an early stage trial for a potential treatment for side effects of opiod use for patients will chronic pain. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Premier unit awards contracts

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:22:43 +0100

Premier Purchasing Partners has awarded contracts to companies that will supply laparoscopic surgical instruments to members of its affiliated health-care alliance. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Informatics plans to double staff

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:20:53 +0100

Nashville’s Informatics Corporation of America plans to nearly double its staff this year to 86 as it works to meet demand for its technology, which makes hospital records more accessible. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota adds three to board

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:20:52 +0100

A construction executive, a former power company executive, and a sports executive are the newest additions to the board of Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Minnesota Nurses Association starts contract talks with Twin Cities hospitals

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:48:12 +0100

Staffing levels and pension funding are the top issues for the Minnesota Nurses Association as it starts labor union contract negotiations with six Twin Cities hospital systems. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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Health Literacy Missouri names Weber operations director

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:47:12 +0100

Health Literacy Missouri has named David Weber director of operations. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Licorice and Roasted Licorice Extracts on TPA-Induced Acute Inflammation and Collagen-Induced Arthritis in Mice

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:37:28 +0100

The anti-inflammatory activity of licorice (LE) and roated licorice (rLE) extracts determined in the murine phorbol ester-induced acute inflammation model and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model of human rheumatoid arthritis. rLE possessed greater activity than LE in inhibiting phorbol ester-induced ear edema. Oral administration of LE or rLE reduced clinical arthritis score, paw swelling, and histopathological changes in a murine CIA. LE and rLE decreased the levels of proinflammatory cytokines in serum and matrix metalloproteinase-3 expression in the joints. Cell proliferation and cytokine secretion in response to type II collagen or lipopolysaccharide stimulation were suppressed in spleen cells from LE or rLE-treated CIA mice. Furthermore, LE and rLE treatment prevented oxidative dam...

Former Bioheart director increases stake

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:29:53 +0100

A former Bioheart board member has increased his stake in the company by paying down $894,000 of the principal and interest on a loan the Sunrise-based biotechnology development company had with Bank of America. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Smallbiz owners oppose health reform, but optimistic about business

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:17:20 +0100

Small-business owners solidly oppose plans to overhaul the health care system, a Portfolio.com survey of small-business owners shows. Despite that, business owners remain optimistic about their prospects. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Fitch affirms BRCH Corp. at BBB-

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:56:58 +0100

Boca Raton Community Hospital’s improved financial situation in the quarter ended Dec. 31 prompted Fitch Ratings to remove its bonds from rating watch negative and assigned them a stable rating outlook. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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Meridian lowers 2010 guidance, stock dives

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:02:19 +0100

Meridian Bioscience Inc. lowered its fiscal second quarter and 2010 guidance after a mild flu season bit into diagnostic test sales – and its stock plummeted almost 16 percent as a result. (VIVO) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Anika's net, cash slip ahead of Bedford move

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:52:28 +0100

Anika Therapeutics Inc., a developer of medical technologies to repair damaged tissue, said its fourth quarter net income and cash position slipped amid an uptick in expenditures related to the transition of the company’s manufacturing operations to Bedford, Mass. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

FDA approves Medtronic diabetes system

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:27:43 +0100

Medtronic Inc. on Wednesday said federal regulators have approved its diabetes-management system, which includes features such as predictive alerts that warn diabetics about possible high or low blood sugar. (MDT) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Human Genome Sciences reports disappointing drug trial

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:21:46 +0100

A lung cancer drug partly developed by Human Genome Sciences Inc. failed to show intended results in midstage drug trials, the Rockville company reported Wednesday. (HGSI) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

First Niagara sells $300M in debt

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:12:57 +0100

First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. has sold $300 million in debt. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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Alternative Sources of Adult Stem Cells: Human Amniotic Membrane.

Advances in Biochemical Engineering Biotechnology — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Wolbank S, van Griensven M, Grillari-Voglauer R, Peterbauer-Scherb A Human amniotic membrane is a highly promising cell source for tissue engineering. The cells thereof, human amniotic epithelial cells (hAEC) and human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMSC), may be immunoprivileged, they represent an early developmental status, and their application is ethically uncontroversial. Cell banking strategies may use freshly isolated cells or involve in vitro expansion to increase cell numbers. Therefore, we have thoroughly characterized the effect of in vitro cultivation on both phenotype and differentiation potential of hAEC. Moreover, we present different strategies to improve expansion including replacement of animal-derived supplements by human platelet products or the intro...

Earnings: Emdeon profit grows

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:01:21 +0100

Emdeon Inc. (NYSE: EM) (EM) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Emdeon buys health care IT consulting company

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:43:34 +0100

Nashville-based medical billing company Emdeon Inc. announced plans today to buy an Indianapolis management consulting firm that specializes in just the type of health care information technology that Emdeon provides. (EM) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

UM improves to 41st in NIH funding

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:42:02 +0100

The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine improved to 41st from 43rd in a ranking of the largest recipients of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

San Francisco's Public Health Department wins $9.5M stimulus grant

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:31:08 +0100

San Francisco officials announced Tuesday that the city has won a $9.5 million federal stimulus grant to expand its HIV/AIDS research efforts. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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Albany's labor market 24th in country among young adults

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:49:25 +0100

Albany, N.Y., beat Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Harborview doctor new co-chair of NFL concussion committee

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:30:00 +0100

Dr. Richard Ellenbogen, director of neurological surgery at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, has been named co-chairman of the National Football League’s Head, Neck and Spine Medicine Committee. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Spring Branch hospital drops inpatient service

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:26:37 +0100

Spring Branch Medical Center Inc. will cease inpatient hospital operations on May 1. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Cambridge Heart cuts salaries, board fees

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:59:30 +0100

Cambridge Heart Inc., a developer of non-invasive diagnostic sensors for cardiac disease, has levied a 10 percent, across-the-board salary cut on its senior officials and eliminated some of the fees paid to its non-employee directors. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

VSP partners up for eye-care clinics

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:53:29 +0100

Two leaders in the vision industry — including Rancho-Cordova-based VSP — have teamed up to provide free eye care to underserved communities across the nation. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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Reports about venture capital investments in life sciences companies are mixed

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:10:53 +0100

U.S. life sciences companies secured $1.9 billion in venture capital financing in the fourth quarter, according to a new report from online venture capital database VentureDeal. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Vaccines against Human Carcinomas: Strategies to Improve Antitumor Immune Responses

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:50:06 +0100

Multiple observations in preclinical and clinical studies support a role for the immune system in controlling tumor growth and progression. Various components of the innate and adaptive immune response are able to mediate tumor cell destruction; however, certain immune cell populations can also induce a protumor environment that favors tumor growth and the development of metastasis. Moreover, tumor cells themselves are equipped with various mechanisms that allow them to evade surveillance by the immune system. The goal of cancer vaccines is to induce a tumor-specific immune response that ultimately will reduce tumor burden by tipping the balance from a protumor to an antitumor immune environment. This review discusses common mechanisms that govern immune cell activation and tumor immune es...

Emeritus cuts Q4 loss; stock falls

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:39:34 +0100

Assisted living community developer Emeritus Corp. reported it cut its fourth-quarter loss to $15.9 million, or a loss of 41 cents per share, from a loss of $30.7 million, or a loss of 78 cents per share a year earlier. (ESC) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Mayo researchers find key Alzheimer’s gene

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:11:11 +0100

Researchers at Mayo Clinic Florida have found a gene that either helps protect against development of Alzheimer’s disease or promotes it, depending on the level of gene in the brain. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Lexicon shares down on stock sale

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:04:10 +0100

Shares of Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc. on Tuesday dipped 10 percent on the news that the company was planning to raise about $165 million by selling shares to the public as well as to its largest shareholder, Invus LP. (LXRX) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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Jones-Drew tackles child obesity in D.C.

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:03:43 +0100

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew is representing the NFL today at the National Press Club, where he will discuss the league’s initiative to combat childhood obesity. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Dynavax hopes to submit Heplisav to FDA 6 months early

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:03:43 +0100

Dynavax Technologies Corp. hopes to submit its hepatitis B vaccine to the FDA six months earlier than a previous guess. (DVAX) (MRK) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

SLU gets $1M to study organ transplant waitlists

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:01:37 +0100

Saint Louis University’s Center for Outcome Research has received a $1 million federal grant to review regional kidney and liver distribution in the United States and equalize the access to transplantation among patients with similar stages of organ failure across the country. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Ariad slips on news of Merck-deal revision

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:55:31 +0100

Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc. said it has seen a “strong commitment” by Merck & Co. Inc. to revise by July an agreement to co-develop and commercialize its lead cancer-drug candidate, ridaforolimus. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Signature Healthcare picks Louisville over Nashville

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:48:57 +0100

Signature Healthcare LLC, a senior-living facility operator currently based in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., announced Monday that it is moving its headquarters to Louisville. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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Ivax Diagnostics enters Canadian market

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:40:57 +0100

Ivax Diagnostics said its subsidiary Diamedix Corp. has signed a distribution agreement with Nova Century Scientific in Canada to market and sell 50 of Diamedix’s products. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Decker named cancer institute director

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:40:52 +0100

Dr. David Decker has been named the new executive director of the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Sigma-Aldrich to buy rat breeder Ace Animals

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:33:24 +0100

Sigma-Aldrich said Tuesday it plans to buy Ace Animals Inc., a Berks County, Pa.-based breeder of research rodents for the biomedical industry. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

ArthoCare reports $34M loss '09, better Q4

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:08:35 +0100

Medical device maker ArthoCare Corp. improved financial performance overall last year, particularly in the fourth quarter, but still reported a $33.8 million net loss for the 2009 fiscal year. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Medivation loses $54.8M in 2009

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:01:04 +0100

Medivation Inc. lost $54.8 million in 2009, down from a loss of $$62.5 million in 2008. (PFE) (MDVN) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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Bionovo loses $16M in 2009

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:00:13 +0100

Bionovo Inc. lost $3.8 million in the fourth quarter and $16.4 million in 2009. (BNVI) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Stanford med school names medical director for cancer center

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:31:45 +0100

The Stanford University School of Medicine said Monday it’s named Douglas Blayney, M.D., as medical director of the Stanford Cancer Center, effective July 1, filling a two-year vacancy. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Advances in subtyping methods of foodborne disease pathogens.

Current Opinion in Biotechnology — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This article discusses multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis, single-nucleotide polymorphisms, nucleic acid sequencing, whole genome sequencing, variable absent or present loci, microarrays and MS as potential subtyping methods to enhance our ability to detect foodborne disease outbreaks. PMID: 20299203 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology)

Chicken scFvs and bivalent scFv-C(H) fusions directed against HSP65 of Mycobacterium bovis.

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Wemmer S, Mashau C, Fehrsen J, van Wyngaardt W, du Plessis DH Two chicken single-chain variable region antibody fragments (scFvs) that recognised the 65 kDa heat-shock protein (HSP65) of Mycobacterium bovis were selected from a large semi-synthetic phage displayed library. Both recognised HSP65 in indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblots and retained their activity during storage. Neither, however, could function as the capture reagent in a sandwich ELISA when immobilised on polystyrene. To establish whether they could be engineered for general use in immunotests, the genes coding for these scFvs were subcloned in expression vectors that contained sequences encoding chicken IgY heavy-chain constant region domains. This resulted in larger bivalent cons...

Evaluation of the catalytic properties of Burkholderia cepacia lipase immobilized on non-commercial matrices to be used in biodiesel synthesis from different feedstocks.

Bioresource Technology — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The objective of this work was to produce an immobilized form of lipase from Burkholderia cepacia (lipase PS) with advantageous catalytic properties and stability to be used in the ethanolysis of different feedstocks, mainly babassu oil and tallow beef. For this purpose lipase PS was immobilized on two different non-commercial matrices, such as inorganic matrix (niobium oxide, Nb(2)O(5)) and a hybrid matrix (polysiloxane-polyvinyl alcohol, SiO(2)-PVA) by covalent binding. The properties of free and immobilized enzymes were searched and compared. The best performance regarding all the analyzed parameters (biochemical properties, kinetic constants and thermal stability) were obtained when the lipase was immobilized on SiO(2)-PVA. The superiority of this immobilized system was also confirmed ...

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Co-pyrolysis characteristics of sawdust and coal blend in TGA and a fixed bed reactor.

Bioresource Technology — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Park DK, Kim SD, Lee SH, Lee JG Co-pyrolysis characteristics of sawdust and coal blend were determined in TGA and a fixed bed reactor. The yield and conversion of co-pyrolysis of sawdust and coal blend based on volatile matters are higher than those of the sum of sawdust and coal individually. Form TGA experiments, weight loss rate of sawdust and coal blend increases above 400 degrees C and additional weight loss was observed at 700 degrees C. In a fixed bed at isothermal condition, the synergy to produce more volatiles is appeared at 500-700 degrees C, and the maximum synergy exhibits with a sawdust blending ratio of 0.6 at 600 degrees C. The gas product yields remarkably increase at lower temperature range by reducing tar yield. The CO yield increases up to 26% at 400 degree...

Methanogenesis control by employing various environmental stress conditions in two-chambered microbial fuel cells.

Bioresource Technology — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This study examines methanogen activity in microbial fuel cells when exposed to various environmental stresses, such as oxygen, low pH, low temperature, inhibitor (2-bromoethanesulfonate (BES)), and variations in external resistance. Controlling methanogenesis resulted in an increase in Coulombic efficiency (CE) because it was a major cause of electron loss. Methane was mainly produced from aceticlastic methanogenesis, rather than by syntrophic acetate oxidation, with Methanosarcinaceae being the primary contributor. Lowering the resistance from 600 to 50Omega reduced the methanogenic electron loss by 24%; however, changing the temperature or pH level had little effect. A BES injection was the most potent strategy for the selective inhibition of methanogens without damaging exoelectrogens....

Variability of bulk density of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) during gravity-driven discharge.

Bioresource Technology — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Clementson CL, Ileleji KE Loading railcars with consistent tonnage has immense cost implications for the shipping of distillers' dried grains with soluble (DDGS) product. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the bulk density variability of DDGS during filling of railcar hoppers. An apparatus was developed similar to a spinning riffler sampler in order to simulate the filling of railcars at an ethanol plant. There was significant difference (P<0.05) between the initial and final measures of bulk density and particle size as the hoppers were emptied in both mass and funnel flow patterns. Particle segregation that takes place during filling of hoppers contributed to the bulk density variation and was explained by particle size variation. This phenomenon is most li...

Enhancement of anti-complementary and radical scavenging activities in the submerged culture of Cordyceps sinensis by addition of citrus peel.

Bioresource Technology — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Choi JW, Ra KS, Kim SY, Yoon TJ, Yu KW, Shin KS, Lee SP, Suh HJ To investigate the optimal conditions for the production of Cordyceps sinensis by the submerged culture method, glucosamine and exopolysaccharide (EPS) productivities were determined in culture broth containing different carbon sources, principally rice bran and citrus peel. An optimal medium composition (1.5% rice bran, 0.5% molasses, 3% CSL, 0.1% KH(2)PO(4), and 0.05% MgSO(4)) and the optimal condition (25 degrees C and 5-6 d culture time) for high EPS productivity with potent immune-stimulating activities were obtained. The addition of citrus peel to the culture of C. sinensis under the optimized conditions improved EPS productivity and glucosamine content. Furthermore, anti-complementary activity was higher (5...