MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'carl'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:54:05 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130749&cid=t_107010_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fnew-york-times-piece-about-plastic-surgery-gets-people-talking%2F2011.08.14 Monday’s New York Times tweeted a headline – “Never Too Old for Plastic Surgery” – about this story. While I’m very happy for the 83-year old woman in the piece for her happiness over her “new” $8,000 breasts, the piece was framed like an expensive billboard for plastic surgeons – only it didn’t cost them anything. The Times gave away the advertising space. The story states: “There are as many reasons for getting plastic surgery as there are older patients, experts say”…and…”some are simply sick of slackened jowls, jiggly underarms and saggy eyelids.” There are a few other perspectives in the middle of the piece: “Some critics question whether the benefits are worth the risks, which may be... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130749 Sun, 14 Aug 2011 21:00:43 +0100 5130749 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5125969&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FP452Yvu9Hlk%2F And so yet another working week will soon draw to a close. Not a moment to soon, yes? This is, of course, our treasured signal to daydream about weekend plans. Our own agenda includes taking one of the short people to a soccer match, catching up on some reading and tidying up around the Pharmalot corporate campus. In other words, a few small pleasures. And what about you? How about a day at the beach or a ride in the country? Maybe curl up with an e-book? Or a shopping trip to stimulate what is left of the economy? Whatever you do, have a grand time, and be safe. See you soon… US Ambassador Tells Czechs Not To Auction Meds Online (Prague Daily Monitor) Icahn Wants To Narrow Forest’s Research Focus (Bloomberg News) MannKind Claims To Have Clear Path Forward On Afrezza (Pharma Ti... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5125969 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:09:49 +0100 5125969 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5118924&cid=t_107010_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F11%2Fgene-transfer-therapy-destroys-tumors-in-chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia-patients-holds-promise-for-ovarian-cancer%2F Penn researchers have shown sustained remissions of up to a year among a small group of advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients treated with genetically engineered versions of their own T-cells. This genetically-modified “serial killer” T-cell approach could provide a tumor-attack roadmap for the treatment of lung and ovarian cancer, myeloma and melanoma as well. [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5118924 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:11:37 +0100 5118924 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5103514&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FHhaDzWm8_2c%2F After months of mystery, the US Department of Health & Human Services has decided not to exclude Forest Laboratories ceo Howard Solomon from doing business with federal healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid. The move came four months after the HHS Office of Inspector General shocked the drugmaker with its plan to ban the 83-year-old executive. “Based on a review of the information in our file and consideration of the information that your attorneys provided to us, both in writing and during an in-person meeting, we have decided to close this case. We anticipate no further action related to this matter,” Peter Clark, the OIG exclusions director wrote in a letter to Solomon this afternoon (here is the letter). Last September, Forest made a $313 million payment that incl... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5103514 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 22:32:59 +0100 5103514 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5103515&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FQz_vdwe68UQ%2F In its quest to exclude Forest Laboratories ceo Howard Solomon from doing business with federal healthcare programs, the US Department of Health & Human Services had also considered banning seven other Forest executives, but ultimately decided not to do so as negotiations were held last fall to settle charges of illegal marketing (back story), according to court documents that were released today. The disclosure prompted another round of criticism from investor Carl Icahn (see pic), who is waging a proxy fight to win four of 10 board seats at the August 18 annual shareholder meeting (see this). “That means nearly one year ago, Forest was faced with a threat to the continuity of its management team and today still has not disclosed a viable, or even any, succession plan,” a... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5103515 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 21:28:04 +0100 5103515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5078031&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FFHoLk-8rWDc%2F With the annual Forest Laboratories shareholder meeting just three weeks away, the AFL-CIO is urging shareholders to vote ceo and president Howard Solomon right off the board. The move is in response to the recent disclosure that Solomon faces being excluded from participating in federal healthcare programs by the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General. The feds took that step not long after a subsidiary, Forest Pharmaceuticals, pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice, distributing an unapproved drug and illegally promoting two other meds. As part of its deal, Forest made a $313 million payment that included $164 million in criminal penalties, and signed a corporate integrity agreement (see here). Forest argues that Solomon was not involved and, therefo... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5078031 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 13:21:58 +0100 5078031 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4976204&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F2jyWx_FI6TU%2F Now that Carl Icahn has scooped up nearly 7 percent of Forest Laboratories stock and wants to place four of his minions on the board (back story), Wall Street is eyeing the drugmaker as takeover bait. The premise is helped along by the fact that Forest has five newer products, including three that will be launched by September, and another four in the pipeline that, when taken together, could add up to an attractive package. To wit, these nine drugs have the potential to dramatically boost earnings over the next five years, according to an investor note from Credit Suisse analyst Catherine Arnold. In her view, a mere 5 percent rise in 2016 sales implies a 24 percent earnings gain. This is particularly important since the Lexapro antidepressant, which generated 53 percent of 2011 sales, los... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4976204 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:57:12 +0100 4976204 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4953363&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FFwKeDNIjZs4%2F Top of the morning to you. A shiny day is unfolding here on the Pharmalot corporate campus, where we are hustling assorted short people off to their last moments at the local school houses. This is cause for celebration. So please join us for a cup or two of stimulation. And we hope you will check out our 2 pm EDT webinar today on Social Media. Meanwhile, here are some tidbits from around the big, old world. Have a great day… European Union Approves Lilly Bydureon Diabetes Drug (Associated Press) Dentsply In Talks To Buy AstraZeneca Unit (Reuters) EMA Proposes Waiving Inspections Of US Plants Sometimes (InPharma Technologist) Calpers Taps CVS/Caremark To Manage Benefits (San Francisco Business Times) Abbott Hit By $4M Diagnostic Theft In Kentucky (Securing Pharma) Roche And Curis Ski... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4953363 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:04:52 +0100 4953363 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4953133&cid=t_107010_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F8oBp7RDNqzM%2F A couple of SharpBrains friends strongly recommend the recent book  “Por­traits of the Mind: Visu­al­iz­ing the Brain from Antiq­uity to the 21st Cen­tury”, by Carl Schoonover, both as great reading and as a beautiful coffee table book.  The book is available now with a significant discount via Amazon.com. You can see more pho­tos here, and read a good New York Times article here. Enjoy! (Source: SharpBrains) SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4953133 Sun, 19 Jun 2011 15:55:32 +0100 4953133 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934333&cid=t_107010_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F15%2F4-fascinating-facts-you-might-not-know-about-carl-jung%2F In case you missed it, June 6th, 2011 marked the 50th anniversary of Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung’s passing. Jung, born July 26, 1875, is one of the most compelling figures in psychology. Many people are familiar with Jung for his famous friendship and eventual split from Sigmund Freud, who considered their relationship at first to be one of father and son. Jung strongly disagreed with Freud’s sole emphasis on sex and other parts of his theories, and their relationship soon deteriorated. However, the two pioneers did agree on one thing: an individual must analyze his mind’s inner workings, including his dreams and fantasies. Jung founded analytical psychology, which emphasizes the importance of exploring both conscious and unconscious processes. According to one of his theories, all ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934333 Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:12:12 +0100 4934333 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4953048&cid=t_107010_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2FWutkdfC2Wvs%2F As much as I’d like to visit DC (I’ve never been), I wasn’t able to make it out there to attend the NIST workshop on EHR usability. However, Carl Bergman from EHR Selector did make it to the event and sent the following notes on EHR usability according to NIST.  Most of the speakers name link to their slides in PDF format. National Institute of Standard and Technology’s Workshop on EHR Usability This week I went to a NIST workshop examining the state of EHR usability. The workshop was at its administrative headquarters, a large 60s building on its sprawling Gaithersburg, MD campus about 20 miles outside Washington. You might wonder what NIST is doing in the EHR business? I certainly did. NIST’s mission is to promote commerce and technical innovation including method... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4953048 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:34:11 +0100 4953048 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4813667&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FU-E_cUnzOJg%2F Good morning, everyone, and nice to see you again. A busy day is planned here on the Pharmalot corporate campus as we hustle to meet some deadlines and undertake our own version of R&D. No doubt, you relate. So please join us for that mandatory cup of stimulation. Meanwhile, here are some tidbits we found floating about. Hope you conquer the world and see you later… Takeda In Talks To Buy Nycomed For $12 Billion (Bloomberg News) Carl Icahn And His Big Bet On Biotech (The Boston Globe) Glaxo & Astra Hook Up With Academia For Inflammation Research (Pharma Times) Experimental AIDS Vaccine Shows Promise In Monkeys (Reuters) Shire Eyes Big Sales For New Vyvanse Uses (Reuters) Procrit And Epogen May Worsen Heart Attacks (Health Day) Docs Busted For Supplying Oxycodone Network (Th... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4813667 Thu, 12 May 2011 12:15:38 +0100 4813667 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803203&cid=t_107010_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Fyou-are-more-virus-than-human.html – Viruses have been a part of our lives for so long, in fact, that we are actually part virus: the human genome contains more DNA from viruses than our own genes. Meanwhile, scientists are discovering viruses everywhere they look: in the soil, in the ocean, even in deep caves miles underground. A Planet of Viruses by Carl Zimmer, out now. Selected from the latest science stories to hit DB’s virtual desktop @sciencebase. Related Posts:Turkish H5N1Bird Flu Between PeopleCoughing and splutteringBird Flu TestPox Virus Undressed to Make its EntryYou are more virus than human is a post from: Sciencebase Science Blog (Source: Sciencebase Science Blog) Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803203 Mon, 09 May 2011 15:17:36 +0100 4803203 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4759039&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FlVjvoT8rNwo%2F The sad case of Dan Markingson appears to have no end. The latest twist is playing out as an issue of academic freedom at the University of Minnesota where, seven years ago, researchers ran a clinical trial in which the 26-year-old participated. But the circumstances surrounding his participation and subsequent death led to widely publicized allegations the university put its own interests first. One university researcher also consulted for AstraZeneca, which sells the drug and sponsored the study. And researchers were allegedly under pressure to bolster enrollment. These details emerged following a lawsuit filed by Markingson’s mother, who objected to her son’s participation because he was already mentally ill and possibly incompetent, but was enrolled anyway. Her lawsuit went nowher... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4759039 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:16:18 +0100 4759039 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4693504&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F21CAXYYz48I%2F After months of overseeing a series of controversial moves at the FDA press office, Beth Martino has resigned to take a job with the American Health Care Association as a public affairs advisor. Her departure caps a brief, but tumultuous reign for the 31-year-old former press aide to Kathleen Sebelius, the former Kansas governor who is now Department of Human Health & Services secretary. As much as she attempted to manage the news, Martino succeeded in making news herself. In December, her office purged a few senior specialists who are 50 years and older. Three staffers were let go and a fourth, career employee Donna Avallone, 62, was stripped of her title and reassigned by Carl Chitwood, a 37-year-old Martino appointee, although he later denied forcing anyone out of a job (back story... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4693504 Fri, 08 Apr 2011 13:59:23 +0100 4693504 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4642903&cid=t_107010_136_f&fid=35302&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FWhitePebble%2F%7E3%2Fztz7XBdg0jQ%2F Just looking up an old camera my father gave me when I was in high school. It was ancient even then. Zeiss Ikon is a German company that was formed in 1926 by the merger of four camera makers (Contessa-Nettel, Ernemann, Goerz and Ica), and an infusion of capital by Zeiss[1] The company formed one part of the Carl Zeiss Foundation, another part being the optical company Carl Zeiss. Logically, most of the Zeiss Ikon cameras were equipped with Carl Zeiss lenses and the formerly independent companies, in particular Goerz, had to shut down their own lens manufacture. The merged company was also obliged to use Compur shutters for 80% of its cameras. Thus only the simplest cameras could get cheaper shutters like the Klio. Soon AG Hahn für Optik und Mechanik, Kassel, and Goerz Photochemisches We... white pebble blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4642903 Sun, 27 Mar 2011 01:28:15 +0100 4642903 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4592308&cid=t_107010_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fdetails-light-transplant-recipient-received-lungs-big%2F Medical authorities in the UK are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Meena Vij, who did after British surgeon and consultant Carl Wong allegedly transplanted lungs into the patient that were too big to fit into her chest cavity. The transplant took place at Harefield Hospital. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4592308 Tue, 15 Mar 2011 00:38:09 +0100 4592308 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4450518&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FSxHKLul2w-s%2F Nearly seven years ago, 26-year-old Dan Markingson killed himself while participating in a clinical trial at the University of Minnesota, where researchers were studying the Seroquel antipsychotic. And the circumstances surrounding his participation and subsequent death led to widely publicized allegations that the university put its own interests ahead of the patient. How so? One reason - an academic researcher also consulted for AstraZeneca, which markets the pill and sponsored the study. And the researchers were allegedly under pressure to bolster enrollment. These details emerged following a lawsuit filed by Markingson’s mother, who objected to her son’s participation because he was already mentally ill and possibly incompetent, but was enrolled anyway (background here). H... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4450518 Tue, 08 Feb 2011 21:21:42 +0100 4450518 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4429058&cid=t_107010_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F02%2F02%2Feating-your-shadow-in-honor-of-groundhog-day%2F To confront a person with his shadow is to show him his own light. Once one has experienced a few times what it is like to stand judgingly between the opposites, one begins to understand what is meant by the self. Anyone who perceives his shadow and his light simultaneously sees himself from two sides and thus gets in the middle. — Carl Gustav Jung The despised self, the disowned self, and the shadow: By any name psychology has acknowledged the dark side of our personality in many forms. It is also in literature (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) and at the movies (Black Swan) we may first come to know the shadow. Psychology has long since been trying to get us to deal with it. There is a way. The ultimate way of coping with it is to eat it. The Shadow Effect, by the leading spiritual healers of ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4429058 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:05:52 +0100 4429058 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4382798&cid=t_107010_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F01%2F21%2Fmore-skeptic-insights%2F In Kentucky, skeptics meeting are occurring on a regular basis.  Skeptics can thank Laurie Tarr for many of these meetings.  Tarr is the co-founder and co-director of Louisville Area Skeptics.  Recently, I had a chance to talk skepticism with Tarr. What is the mission statement of the Louisville Area Skeptics?  Why are you a skeptic? I created the Louisville Area Skeptics as an opportunity for people from Louisville and the surrounding areas to meet and share their love of science, their interest in critical thinking, and their skeptical worldview through social events and informal science presentations by professional scientists. I’ve been a skeptic since I was a young teenager and discovered the writings of Carl Sagan. Being a skeptic is a way for me to use science to evaluate ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4382798 Fri, 21 Jan 2011 19:35:39 +0100 4382798 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4265574&cid=t_107010_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F12%2Farmy-breaks-ground-ft-hood-medical-center%2F The United States Army has broken ground on construction of a new Carl R. Darnall Medical Center at Ft. Hood, Texas. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4265574 Fri, 17 Dec 2010 06:03:11 +0100 4265574 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4241687&cid=t_107010_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fimpeachment-its-about-institution-not.html IMPEACHMENT: IT’S ABOUT THE INSTITUTION, NOT THE PERSONThe impeachment trial of Judge G. Thomas Porteous of Louisiana this week was a lesson in civic ethics. The lessons of the Porteous trial apply to academic medical centers, professional medical societies, medical journals, and granting agencies like NIH. The Porteous trial is a straightforward case of bribes, kickbacks and corruption involving a Federal judge. The most enlightening arguments came from prosecutor Rep. Adam Schiff, D-California, laying out the case for impeachment in the Senate. He gave a lucid presentation of the logic and the historical origins of the impeachment process. The key points are these: impeachment serves to protect the dignity, honor, and credibility of the office more than to punish the wayward office hol... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4241687 Wed, 08 Dec 2010 09:21:00 +0100 4241687 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4200563&cid=t_107010_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fplaying-doctor-profile-of-a-medical-ghostwriter%2F2010.11.24 Dr. Carl Elliott writes about ghostwriting in the December issue of The Atlantic magazine, “Playing Doctor: How to spin pharmaceutical research.” He profiles a young scientist (“David”) who became a ghostwriter about 10 years ago. Excerpts: “Ghostwritten articles surface again and again in litigation (in cases concerning Vioxx, Fen-Phen, Zyprexa, Premarin, Neurontin, and Zoloft, to mention just a few). Years before the Avandia scandal, GlaxoSmithKline paid $2.5 million to the State of New York to settle a lawsuit alleging that it had concealed studies suggesting an increased risk of suicidal behavior in children and teenagers taking Paxil, most notoriously in an article “authored” by Dr. Martin Keller of Brown University. One 2003 study in The Brit... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4200563 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 23:00:19 +0100 4200563 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4197064&cid=t_107010_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-patient-the-most-important-member-of-the-healthcare-team%2F2010.11.24 Do you feel patients are the most important part of the medical (healthcare) team? In a recent post on Health in 30, “When Doctors and Nurses Work Together,” I wrote about the team-based approach for caring and treating patients, and it addressed the relationship between nurses, doctors, patients and the importance of a multidisciplinary, team-based approach to patient care. The healthcare team is comprised of a diverse group of specialized professionals, and the most important part of the medical team is the patient. Subsequent to publishing this post, I received an email from an author and patient advocate stating that patients are not the most important member of the medical team. I value and respect this comment, however I politely and passionately disagree. As a registered nurse a... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4197064 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 15:00:41 +0100 4197064 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4105650&cid=t_107010_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FhQXeCa9mlkE%2F By Jim HarperCarl Malamud is a breakthrough thinker and doer on transparency and open government. In the brief video below, he makes the very interesting case that various regulatory codes are wrongly withheld from the public domain while citizens are expected to comply with them. It’s important, mind-opening stuff. It seems a plain violation of due process that a person might be presumed to know laws that are not publicly available. I’m not aware of any cases finding that inability to access the law for want of money is a constitutional problem, but the situation analogizes fairly well to Harper v. Virginia, in which a poll tax that would exclude the indigent from voting was found to violate equal protection. Regulatory codes that must be purchased at a high price will tend t... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4105650 Tue, 26 Oct 2010 12:23:40 +0100 4105650 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4031503&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fb81B6yhakqM%2F The last several years have seen increasing concern over ethics in the pharmaceutical industry – from the way clinical trials are run and trial data is disclosed to promotional activities aimed at consumers and interactions with the medical community and universities. Among the many observers who make a living by witnessing this unfolding morass is Carl Elliott, a professor at the Center for Bioethics at the University of Minnesota, who has published a book called “White Coat, Black Hat: Adventures on the Dark Side of Medicine.” We spoke with him about his observations and insights… Pharmalot: Do we live in unethical times? Elliott: You could definitely make that argument, although the nature of what’s going on is not really new. When I was writing about the drug reps, I asked th... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4031503 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 15:00:53 +0100 4031503 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3980871&cid=t_107010_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F20736877%2F0%2Fneuromarketing%7EWhen-Marketing-Stinks.htm Olfactory marketing has been used for years, and usually the objective is to use appealing scents and create a positive branding message. Not always, though – one politician is conducting a campaign that, well, stinks. Carl Paladino, the Republican nominee for governor of New York State, has sent out a mailing that smells [...] CommentsHe should have included a rose-scented picture of himself. Then ... by FrankI'll be interested to see how that works out. My gut response ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3980871 Fri, 17 Sep 2010 12:41:42 +0100 3980871 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3925091&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FCi7SP87eU1o%2F Nothing like a temperature reading to assess a situation, and Genzyme ceo Henri Termeer confronts an inevitable takeover by Sanofi-Aventis, at least according to a survey of 129 buy-side managers conducted by ISI Group biotech analyst Mark Schoenebaum. The upshot: 80.2 percent believe Sanofi will buy Genzyme and 75.7 percent believe no other bidder will emerge. But what will Sanofi have to pay? Instead of the $69 offer by the big drugmaker (look here), buysiders look for a purchase price of $74 to $77 a share. For his part, Termeer tells The Boston Globe that a sale appears increasingly possible, after all. “This is not a fixer-upper, this is beachfront property,” says Termeer, who only two days earlier rejected a deal. “It’s good to have this out in the open, to ha... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3925091 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:27:40 +0100 3925091 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3899634&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FQV82PczRStE%2F What happens when a university is bound up in the outcome of an industry clinical trial? What does it say when university researchers are actively recruiting patients for a trial while also accepting consulting or speaking fees from the same drugmaker sponsoring the study? Is the research furthering commercial needs more so than scientific needs? And how are patients protected in such situations? These are among the questions explored in a sobering piece in Mother Jones magazine by University of Minnesota bioethicist Carl Elliott. He focuses on the sorry plight of Mary Weiss, who lost her 26-year-old son, Dan, while he was enrolled - over her strenuous objections - in a trial at the University of Minnesota (yes, the same school) to compare AstraZeneca’s Seroquel antipsychotic with ri... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3899634 Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:58:26 +0100 3899634 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3895955&cid=t_107010_109_f&fid=38951&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarlatpsychiatry.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fmaking-killing-new-carl-elliott-article.html There's a fascinating article by Carl Elliott in the current issue of Mother Jones. It's called "Making a Killing," and it shows how clinical trials have become marketing exercises for the pharmaceutical industry, sometimes at the expense of patients' lives. (You can read the article here, but you will need to complete a free registrations process).The focus is on Astra Zeneca, maker of the antipsychotic Seroquel. Elliott tells the tragic story of Dan Markingson, a young man with schizophrenia who killed himself in a particularly gruesome way in May of 2004. At the time, Markingson was enrolled in an Astra Zeneca-funded study called the CAFE study. The acronym CAFE stands for "Comparison of Atypicals in First Episode of Psychosis." As the name implies, this study randomly assigned patients... The Carlat Psychiatry Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3895955 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:57:00 +0100 3895955 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3794759&cid=t_107010_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FEY-vi4QkR_E%2F By Justin LoganAndrew Sullivan points us to this report that Newt Gingrich is going to tell an audience at AEI that the Obama administration is engaging in “willful blindness” and “self-deception” about the threat posed to the United States by Islam.  In the wake of his remarks urging the United States to emulate Saudi Arabian standards of religious freedom, Gingrich has promised to deploy “the lessons of Camus and Orwell” to illuminate our present predicament. “Evading the confrontation with Evil may bring a second Holocaust. The mistakes made by the White House will exact a terrible price.” What’s interesting is that this sort of thing is a long-standing trope in Gingrich’s rhetorical repertoire, although he has reserved it mostly for ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3794759 Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:24:26 +0100 3794759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3786987&cid=t_107010_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Farticle-boasts-new-birth-centers-luxury-hotel-amenities%2F2010.07.25 Here’s the Minneapolis Star Tribune headline: “Buffalo birthing center has the latest amenities.” And here’s an excerpt: Starting in August, new mothers will have a chance to multi-task in style in Buffalo, Minn. The local hospital is unveiling its new birth center, where every patient room will be equipped with an iPod docking station, a flat-screen TV and DVD player, a soaking tub, rocking chair and refrigerator — oh, and a place for the baby to sleep, too. Buffalo Hospital has spent $7.1 million to turn its old labor and delivery unit into a state-of-the-art facility to appeal to a new generation of patients. At maternity wards around the country, that increasingly means catering to patients and families as if they’re at “a luxury hotel,” ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3786987 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 15:00:31 +0100 3786987 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3780564&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FWZygSBtdHvo%2F Another day, another large settlement. Rather than ring up tabs for expensive lawyers and confront the possibility of bad publicity indefinitely, drugmakers are choosing to settle gobs of product-liability lawsuits with big settlements. Such moves, of course, appease anxious investors and allow senior execs to focus on the important stuff, such as their compensation packages developing new meds. Over the past few weeks, GlaxoSmithKline has been practically racing to resolve Avandia and Paxil lawsuits (see here and here). And Eli Lilly has done the same with its Zyprexa antipsychotic. Now, AstraZeneca has agreed to pay $2 million to settle more than 200 lawsuits charging its Seroquel antipsychotic causes diabetes, marking the first time the drugmaker agreed to settle such claims. There are ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3780564 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:06:32 +0100 3780564 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3816731&cid=t_107010_136_f&fid=39215&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcancersuucks.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Funderstanding-our-dreams.html OK, i am writing this immediately upon awakening so that I will remember everything about my dream, which I realized is recurrent since I had cancer. You know how they say that dreams are an accurate reflection of our thoughts and feelings even if our actions are not? Who is they, you ask? It's me- I have an undergraduate degree in psychology, goddammit. I know what I am talking about. I have read everything from Carl Jung to Understanding Dreams for Dummies. So here's the recurring dream: I am putting on eye make-up and I cannot find any eye liner- there is just lip liner everywhere, which I never use. What a nightmare!!!SO I am relieved to know that while on the surface I am a superficial vain person more concerned with the effect breast cancer has had on the way that I look than on the ... Cancer does suck but it is a little funny. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3816731 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 10:03:00 +0100 3816731 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3607628&cid=t_107010_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-can-we-make-ehrs-secure The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT awarded four Strategic Health IT Advanced Research Projects (SHARP) grants funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. One of the projects is being led by Professor Carl Gunter of the Department of Computer Science and the Information Trust Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3607628 Fri, 28 May 2010 13:12:18 +0100 3607628 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3603871&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FfK6XmYccOu0%2F Carl Icahn thinks so. He wants to remove ceo, Henri Termeer, and three others from the board of the beleaguered biotech, which is paying a $175 million consent decree for serious manufacturing problems that led to a plant closure, a halt in production of key drugs, a lack of patient confidence and an internal probe into insider trading. Oh, and let’s not forget - bits of trash were found in some meds. And so Icahn filed a ‘fight deck’ with the Securities and Exchange Commission in which he accused ceo Henri Termeer of causing “significant destruction” of shareholder value, and creating and preserving a “complacent culture.’’ He also accuses Termeer, who has been ceo since 1985 and was given compensation worth $33 million since 2007, of acting like th... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3603871 Thu, 27 May 2010 12:35:46 +0100 3603871 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3599740&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fl5rzkQWb88Y%2F The beleaguered biotech, which agreed to pay $175 million for its sins, disclosed the basics yesterday. These include a remediation plan that will take up to three years to complete and if milestones aren’t met, the FDA can require a fine of $15,000 a day, for each affected drug, until everything is on track. Then, there is five years of oversight and annual reports (see the consent decree here). Meanwhile, Genzyme will continue to ship Cerezyme and Fabrazyme, which are made, filled and finished in its Allston Landing, MA, plant, as well as Thyrogen, which is filled and finished there. In the US, Thyrogen distribution will be based on medical necessity until another facility is available. But Genzyme has to move fill and finish operations out of the Allston plant for those three meds... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3599740 Tue, 25 May 2010 19:58:11 +0100 3599740 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3573945&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FZ9pBBW09_MU%2F Nice to see you again. A spot of rain is falling on the Pharmalot corporate campus this morning, but our spirits are sunny. We hope your outlook remains upbeat, as well. To keep things moving in the right direction, here are a few items to jumpstart the day. Have a good one and stay in touch… Pfizer To Restructure Irish Operations (RTE News) Scotland Offers New Drug Guidance For NHS Boards (PharmaTimes) Pfizer Settles Neurontin Suit Over Minister’s Death (Bloomberg News) Pfizer And Washington University Strike Drug Deal (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) Icahn Doubles Genzyme Stake (Reuters) (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3573945 Tue, 18 May 2010 11:52:11 +0100 3573945 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3564199&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FPSiRUKFcokE%2F Besides simply selling pills at a profit, Forest Labs appears to engage in what’s known as transfer pricing - a highly complicated way of avoiding taxes by creating overseas subsidiaries that, in Forest’s case, are used to hold patents and facilitate transactions out of reach of the US Treasury. To illustrate the complexities, Bloomberg News attempted to follow the mysterious trail of dollars generated by Lexapro, Forest’s wildly popular antidepressant, an effort that involved visiting not only a manufacturing plant in Ireland, where tax rates are lower, but also revealed subsidiaries in Bermuda and The Netherlands that appear to function merely as convenient shells. By playing the avoidance game, Forest cut its US tax bill by more than one-third last year and various in... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3564199 Fri, 14 May 2010 13:11:26 +0100 3564199 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3556377&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FK0C6QT2IRIA%2F Sometimes, trouble begets still more trouble. Already besieged by regulators, upset patients and deep-pocketed investors, Genzyme now faces an investigation into allegations that several unnamed executives and board members “took advantage” of their knowledge of inside doings at the biotech and illegally sold some of their personal stock holdings. The Genzyme board has designated three independent directors to oversee the investigation and independent legal counsel has also been retained, although no names were offered (click here for the list of board members). This unseemly disclosure was made in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (which you can see here on page 31). The probe was prompted by nine letters from shareholders received since last August, when... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3556377 Tue, 11 May 2010 20:15:10 +0100 3556377 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3538383&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FCFEJG84zyjM%2F Declaring that Genzyme is ‘broken,’ Carl Icahn wants to remove ceo, Henri Termeer, and three others from the biotech’s board, according to a new proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The move comes after months of turmoil, which began last summer when Genzyme shut its Allston Landing, Ma., plant for several weeks to remediate viral contamination. That prompted rationing of two key drugs - Cerezyme, which is used to treat Gaucher disease, and Fabrazyme for treating Fabry disease. Then, bits of trash were found in some products (background). Genzyme has scrambled to hire new execs and consultants, but the FDA is preparing a consent decree that will involve a $175 million fine. For his part, Termeer will attempt to soothe angry investors during ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3538383 Thu, 06 May 2010 13:12:17 +0100 3538383 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3511778&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FS_rvf1h3hFg%2F Top of the morning to you. Another shiny day here on the Pharmalot corporate campus, where another cup of stimulation is brewing. What will today bring? Meetings and deadlines, no doubt. To help you cope, here are a few items to jumpstart the process. We hope your day goes and do stay in touch… Icahn Wants To Fix A ‘Broken’ Genzyme (Reuters) EU Legislators Want Internet Drug Sales Regulated (PharmaTimes) Swine Flu Lifts Glaxo Profits (Reuters) Medco Gains On New Clients (Associated Press) Merck KGgA Profit Beats Estimate (Bloomberg News) Pfizer Hopes For New Biotech Drugs (The Wall Street Journal) $$ Coffee pix thx to chichcacha flickr creative commons (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3511778 Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:49:11 +0100 3511778 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3429482&cid=t_107010_180_f&fid=38619&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FALifeCoachsBlog%2F%7E3%2F2Q7WXYvPzs0%2F If you’re reading this on 1st April you may think the heading of this post is a joke (if that’s what you want, guess what? Life Coaching To Be Banned- honest!). That no way a few weeks after broadcasting to the world about the Death of the Self Help Seminar, Carl Harvey has done a complete volte face and is now a huge fanboy of self development seminars. One of the things I’ve always found weird about the US election system is the way politicians will viciously attack each other for changing their minds. My take on the matter is fairly straight forward. When contrary and incontrovertible evidence shows up, then to not change your mind doesn’t make you statesmanlike, it makes you simpletonlike.  None of  us like being wrong, but we all are from time to time and it takes guts t... Life Coach Blog: The Discomfort Zone : blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3429482 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 09:40:03 +0100 3429482 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3420679&cid=t_107010_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2FBfjUETUdeok%2F Compliments back at you Ms. Kirshenbaum. Short time no see! Now let’s get the party started. I’ll let Carl go first, since he’s a wild-man. (Source: Gene Expression) Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3420679 Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:35:59 +0100 3420679 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3399174&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FfnGrxrJ2nEU%2F After months of manufacturing problems involving viral contamination and even bits of trash in some of its products, the beleaguered biotech says the FDA intends to take enforcement action that will “likely result” in a consent decree. And so a “third party” would inspect and review its operations for an extended period, and Genzyme would have to pay what is currently an unspecified fine (here is the Genzyme statement). Just the same, Genzyme expects product shipments to continue. The biotech makes and sells Cerezyme to treat Gaucher disease and Fabrazyme for treating Fabry disease, as well as Myozyme for Pompe disease. Talks will be held with the FDA about its Thyrogen treatment for thyroid cancer patients. Its troubles began last summer when its Allston Landing, M... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3399174 Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:40:48 +0100 3399174 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3370686&cid=t_107010_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FJZHDHIisrO0%2F The drug manufacturing industry has produced a variety of drugs which, to all intents and purposes, alleviate the cravings of addicts. Apart from the fact that the long term effects of the most recent drugs are yet to emerge, it is questionable whether or not any of these drugs will satisfy the psychological and emotional cravings of addicts for the experience of the high or the oblivion that many addicts consciously or unconsciously seek. In the interim Carl Jung’s prescient comments are worth recalling: Science has no answer to this problem, psychotherapy alone is useless, what is required is a spiritual experience (Jung, Carl G. Letters to Bill ‘W’, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. 1961 Jan) The terms ‘spiritual experience’ and ‘spiritual awakening’ are referred to in t... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3370686 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:40:00 +0100 3370686 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3307051&cid=t_107010_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F02%2F24%2Fben-bradlee-a-legend-after-all-the-presidents-men%2F Carl Bernstein & Bob Woodward at The Washington Post My new post on Politics Daily / Woman Up: “Nothing’s riding on this except the, uh, First Amendment to the Constitution, freedom of the press, and maybe the future of the country.” That sentence was uttered by actor Jason Robards playing Washington Post Editor Ben Bradlee in what is arguably the best performance of his career in “All the President’s Men,” one of the 100 greatest films of all time, according to the American Film Institute. Oh, the glory days of newspapers! What with Quinn Bradlee, son of Bradlee and columnist Sally Quinn, in the news (as reported by my Politics Daily colleague Annie Groer here and here) and last week a journalism award going to an anonymous bystander, I got to think... Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3307051 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:14:05 +0100 3307051 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3290798&cid=t_107010_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F8oeAvTgWY2E%2F By Daniel J. MitchellDemagogues such as Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), as well as many other politicians and journalists, often assert that low-tax jurisdictions are havens for dirty money and terrorist financing. From a theoretical perspective, this does not make sense. So-called tax havens have a big incentive to avoid scandal since they are much more vulnerable to reputational risk. Just imagine what would have happened, after all, if the 9-11 terrorists had used a bank in the Bahamas instead of a bank in Florida. Critics of low-tax jurisdictions automatically would have assumed that the bank was complicit and the entire financial services industry in the Bahamas would have been crippled — or even destroyed. But because the terrorists used American banks (as well as banks in high-tax Eur... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3290798 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:00:18 +0100 3290798 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3271204&cid=t_107010_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FDZLOIIhpmbs%2F The Famous Letter From Carl Jung To Bill Wilson, Co-Founder Of Alcoholics Anonymous The thing that I find amazing about this letter from Carl Jung (pictured) to Bill Wilson concerning spirituality and alcoholism, is that Bill Wilson was nearing the end of his life and felt a need to express to Carl Jung how profoundly he was affected by his views. – Bill Urell Dr Carl Jung’s letter to Bill W. concluded; “You see, Alcohol in Latin is “spiritus” and you use the same word for the highest religious experience as well as for the most depraving poison. The helpful formula therefore is: spiritus contra spiritum.” Thanking you again for your kind letter. I remain yours sincerely, C.G. Jung Full story at Addiction Recovery Basics. See also; Alcoholics Anonymous Cooking ... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3271204 Sat, 13 Feb 2010 03:21:12 +0100 3271204 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3167446&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F8TqyxkbfqrA%2F Before a crowd of some 600 people at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, Genzyme ceo Henri Termeer told investors that about 80 percent of patients who use Cerezyme, which is used to treat Gaucher’s disease, have resumed treatments after manufacturing problems at its Allston Landing, Ma., plant interrupted supplies last year. Termeer also insisted the biotech hasn’t had any contact with Carl Icahn, who holds 1.5 million Genzyme shares and has been rumored to be interested in waging a proxy fight in the wake of the production gaffes. Icahn associate’s Alex Denner attended the presentation, which drew a standing-room-only crowd for a subsequent question-and-answer session, according to The Pink Sheet. Want background? Try this, this and this. [full disclos... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3167446 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:25:07 +0100 3167446 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3159499&cid=t_107010_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2010%2F01%2Fmolecular-phylogeny-of-microorganisms.html A proper understanding of the diversity, systematics and nomenclature of microbes is increasingly important in many branches of biological science. The molecular approach to phylogenetic analysis, pioneered by Carl Woese in the 1970s and leading to the three-domain model (Archaea, Bacteria, Eucarya), has revolutionized our thinking about evolution in the microbial world. The technological innovation of modern molecular biology and the rapid advancement in computational science have led to a flood of nucleic acid sequence information, bioinformatic tools and phylogenetic inference methods. Phylogenetic analysis has long played a central role in microbiology and the emerging fields of comparative genomics and phylogenomics require substantial knowledge and understanding of phylogenetic analy... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3159499 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:06:00 +0100 3159499 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2832365&cid=t_107010_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F24%2Fwhat-makes-a-good-teacher%2F Another victim of my elementary school teacher-as-nemesis, Carl Glenn, has been in contact with me and I can’t describe the sense of validation I feel. It’s like having a friend in my corner, even if we were years apart. (I am also hoping he can jog a few memories about some of the [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2832365 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:27:36 +0100 2832365 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2812416&cid=t_107010_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F09%2F20%2Fcarl-jungs-red-book%2F Carl Jung is a fascinating character in psychology’s history. Mentored by Freud himself, Jung broke off from Freud to found his own theory of human behavior, nowadays generally referred to as Jungian psychology. The Jungian theories place more emphasis on the spiritual side of our inner psyche, and the belief that all of humanity shares what he referred to as a collective unconscious. He also believed in the power of archetypes — that our myths and symbols are universal and innate and serve a greater purpose in helping us learn from each of our stages in life. Carl Jung died 48 years ago, but he still has a devout following of professionals, clinicians and researchers who believe in the power of his theories. While not a popular form of psychotherapy in the United States, it r... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2812416 Sun, 20 Sep 2009 15:24:23 +0100 2812416 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2796410&cid=t_107010_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FyT5ymf3kGm4%2F One of the high points of last week’s Gov 2.0 Summit was transparency champion Carl Malamud’s speech on the history of public access to government information — ending with a clarion call for  government documents, data, and deliberation to be made more freely available online. The argument is a clear slam-dunk on simple grounds of fairness and democratic accountability. If we’re going to be bound by the decisions made by regulatory agencies and courts, surely at a bare minimum we’re all entitled to know what those decisions are and how they were arrived at. But as many of the participants at the conference stressed, it’s not enough for the data to be available — it’s important that it be free, and in a machine readable form. Here’s on... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2796410 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:41:48 +0100 2796410 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772685&cid=t_107010_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F06%2Fspiritus-contra-spiritum-an-old-favourite%2F Even though I related to them both in isolation, until today I had never made a personal connection between “spiritus contra spiritum” and one of my favourite psalms. It’s as if I am the last to find out (in my agnostic theist sort of way). (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772685 Sun, 06 Sep 2009 18:31:29 +0100 2772685 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2510288&cid=t_107010_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FreFIcXymI9U%2F Jim Lobe points us to the thoughts of Andrew McCarthy, a fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, on Barack Obama’s reticence to urge other people to spill their blood in Iran.  A few choice bits below: “The fact is that, as a man of the hard Left, Obama is more comfortable with a totalitarian Islamic regime than he would be with a free Iranian society.” “The divergences between radical Islam and radical Leftism are much overrated — ‘equal rights’ and ’social justice’ are always more rally-cry propaganda than real goals for totalitarians, and hatred of certain groups is always a feature of their societies.” “It would have been political suicide to issue a statement supportive of the mullahs, so Obama’s i... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2510288 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:11:47 +0100 2510288 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2469509&cid=t_107010_93_f&fid=36982&url=http%3A%2F%2Fprep4md.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fabiogenesis-origin-of-life-carl-sagan.html Abiogenesis: The Origin Of Life - Best Of Carl Sagan's CosmoThanks for reading :) ... http://prep4md.blogspot.com/ (Source: My M.D. Journey!) My M.D. Journey! blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2469509 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:06:00 +0100 2469509 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2458099&cid=t_107010_93_f&fid=36982&url=http%3A%2F%2Fprep4md.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Feratosthenes-and-round-earth-model-carl.html Eratosthenes And The Round Earth Model - Best Of Carl Sagan's CosmosA scholar discovered that the earth was round In the third century BC.Thanks for reading :) ... http://prep4md.blogspot.com/ (Source: My M.D. Journey!) My M.D. Journey! blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2458099 Sat, 06 Jun 2009 13:54:00 +0100 2458099 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2458100&cid=t_107010_93_f&fid=36982&url=http%3A%2F%2Fprep4md.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fdna-common-basis-of-life-carl-sagan.html DNA: The Common Basis Of Life (Evolution/Abiogenesis) - Best Of Carl Sagan's CosmosThanks for reading :) ... http://prep4md.blogspot.com/ (Source: My M.D. Journey!) My M.D. Journey! blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2458100 Sat, 06 Jun 2009 13:49:00 +0100 2458100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441374&cid=t_107010_93_f&fid=36982&url=http%3A%2F%2Fprep4md.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fartificial-and-natural-selection-carl.html Carl Edward Sagan, Ph.D. (1934-1996) was an American astronomer, astrochemist, author, and highly successful popularizer of astronomy, astrophysics and other natural sciences. He pioneered exobiology and promoted the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI).He is world-famous for writing popular science books and for co-writing and presenting the award-winning 1980 television series "Cosmos: A Personal Voyage", which has been seen by more than 600 million people in over 60 countries, making it the most widely watched PBS program in history.A book to accompany the program was also published. He also wrote the novel "Contact", the basis for the 1997 Robert Zemecki's film of the same name starring Jodie Foster.During his lifetime, Sagan published more than 600 scientific papers and po... My M.D. Journey! blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441374 Tue, 26 May 2009 16:56:00 +0100 2441374 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2417147&cid=t_107010_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F18%2Fmesothelin-a-potential-new-target-for-ovarian-cancer-immunotherapy%2F Researchers have generated altered immune cells that are able to shrink, and in some cases eradicate, large tumors in mice. The immune cells target mesothelin, a protein that is highly expressed, or translated in large amounts from the mesothelin gene, on the surface of several types of cancer cells. The approach, developed by researchers at [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2417147 Tue, 19 May 2009 04:51:22 +0100 2417147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2085103&cid=t_107010_88_f&fid=38203&url=http%3A%2F%2Fprecordialthump.medbrains.net%2F2009%2F01%2F06%2Fso-much-for-true-love%2F In the world of tropical medicine and parasitology “true love” is best exemplified by the eternal spooning embrace between male and female schistosomes (blood flukes). Or maybe not… According to Carl Zimmer, Even Blood Flukes Get Divorced. (Source: AEQUANIMITAS) AEQUANIMITAS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2085103 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:19:56 +0100 2085103 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1915069&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F433651078%2F A pension plan has filed a legal challenge in an effort to stop Lilly from buying ImClone Systems, because the $6.5 billion deal is unfair to ImClone stockholders. The deal “is the result of a hopelessly flawed process,” the State-Boston Retirement System of Massachusetts contends in its lawsuit, according to Reuters. The pension plan, and several other individual ImClone shareholders, want to stop the merger until more info is presented to stockholders. They accused ImClone’s board of directors, including billionaire investor Carl Icahn, who is the biotech’s board, of breaching their fiduciary duties in agreeing to the October 6 deal. Lilly was also named as a defendant. The lawsuit, filed October 22 in New York State Supreme Court, accuses ImClone of blocking alte... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1915069 Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:01:04 +0100 1915069 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1859776&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F412713688%2F After weeks of drama, a deal is finally done. Lilly will pay $70 a share, well above the $62 offered by Bristol-Myers Squibb. In doing so, Lilly gets access to the Erbitux cancer treatment and other cancer meds being developed. Plagued by expiring patents on other big sellers, drugmakers are increasingly looking to oncology as a lifeline. “This transaction will broaden our portfolio of marketed cancer therapies and boost Lilly’s oncology pipeline with up to three promising targeted therapies in Phase III in 2009,” Lilly ceo John Lechleiter says in a statement. “By bringing together ImClone’s and Lilly’s marketed oncology products, pipelines, and biotech capabilities, we are taking a very important step forward in addressing the challenges of patent expir... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1859776 Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:25:15 +0100 1859776 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1845072&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F408777535%2F Never mind reports earlier today that Eli Lilly - not Pfizer - is the mystery suitor willing to outbid Bristol-Myers Squibb. Carl Icahn, the biotech’s hard-nosed chairman, just issued a brief statement saying the proposal is going forward, but wouldn’t say anything about the identity of the suitor. Notably, he didn’t deny it was Lilly. And Lilly reportedly did not deny its interest in ImClone. Anyway… “Carl Icahn, Chairman of the Board of ImClone Systems Incorporated, stated that the large Pharma company has completed due diligence and made a proposal not subject to financing or further due diligence. Negotiations between the parties are underway and the large Pharma company has requested that ImClone not divulge its name until negotiations are completed.&#822... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1845072 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 04:33:20 +0100 1845072 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1834809&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F403751762%2F The corporate raider, who is angling to sell a 13 percent stake in Imclone Systems for more than $800 million, is piling up bets in the biotechnology industry, according to data compiled by Bloomberg News. Icahn and hedge funds he manages have accumulated stakes in at least 10 biotechs that comprise a fifth of their total publicly reported holdings, excluding shares of Icahn Enterprises LP. Icahn, 72, and the funds have about $1.3 billion invested in biotech, four times as much as two years ago, and increased those bets by $320 million in the last two months alone, according to Bloomberg. “He’s trying to identify companies that he thinks major pharmaceutical companies’ managements might be attracted to, and he’s trying to stir up that attraction,” Tim Ghrisk... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1834809 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:27:16 +0100 1834809 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1826209&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F401088559%2F You gotta love this letter. The emotions are raw. The sarcasm is ripe. The invective is bubbling beneath the surface. What better antidote to a failing financial system than an old-fashioned hostile bid involving a corporate raider with an ego larger than Manhattan and a staid drugmaker struggling to remain relevant? Here it is, folks. Carl Icahn’s love letter to Bristol ceo Jim Cornelius, who only last night did an about face and raised his offer for ImClone to $62 a share - after promising he wouldn’t do so - and vowing to eject the ImClone board. Carl is having none of it - and accuses Jim of finding new ways to make Bristol’s team of lawyers wealthier while doing a poor job of raising his own profile. Enjoy… September 23, 2008 Mr. James M. Cornelius Chairman and... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1826209 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:41:58 +0100 1826209 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1802937&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F394197646%2F Now who’s playing chicken? The amusing exchange of letters last week between ImClone chair Carl Icahn and Bristol-Myers ceo Jim Cornelius (here and here) was all about maneuvering as they attempted to find the best deal. Icahn, you may recall, found a mystery suitor willing to pay $70 a share, rejecting Jim’s $60 offer and his insistence that Bristol holds rights to a follow-up to the Erbitux cancer drug. Now, Bristol’s cfo, Jean-Marc Huet told a Merrill Lynch pharma conference in London that the drugmaker may walk away from its offer. “There are situations in which we are willing to walk away,” Huet told the crowd, according to Dow Jones. While ImClone may make a “very nice bolt-on acquisition…you should never fall in love with an asset.” So... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1802937 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:27:36 +0100 1802937 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1790488&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F390593183%2F The posturing and sniping that occurs during a hostile bid is so interesting, is it not? Yesterday, Bristol-Myers Squibb ceo Jim Cornelius yesterday fired off a letter to ImClone Systems chairman Carl Icahn (pictured left) to say his $60-a-share bid is firm and to chastise him for disclosing a mysterious suitor is lurking and may pay $70 a share. Last night, Icahn released a response upbraiding Cornelius (see below). A few important details can help with the context - Bristol already owns 16 percent of ImClone; Bristol and ImClone jointly market the Erbitux cancer treatment, and ImClone disputes Bristol’s rights to a follow-up med. September 11, 2008 Mr. James M. Cornelius Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bristol-Myers Squibb Company 345 Park Avenue New York, NY 10154 Dear Jim:... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1790488 Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:28:11 +0100 1790488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1788918&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F389810862%2F The letter below is rather self-explanatory. Bristol ceo Jim Cornelius (pictured below left) isn’t pleased with Carl Icahn’s mysterious maneuvering to extract a higher price than $60 a share from the big drugmaker for ImClone Systems. Jim reminds Carl (pictured below right) that the “preliminary proposal” from the mystery suitor requires due dilingence, unlike the Bristol offer. And he reasserts Bristol’s claims to long-term US marketing rights for ImClone’s cash cow, the Erbitux cancer treatment and its follow-up compound. Remember, Bristol already owns 16 percent of ImClone. Perhaps this dance is a prelude to something larger involving yet another player? Board of Directors ImClone Systems Incorporated 180 Varick Street New York, NY 10014 Care of Mr. ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1788918 Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:50:59 +0100 1788918 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1786182&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F388683767%2F The drugmaker calls the $60-a-share bid by Bristol-Myers Squibb ‘inadequate,’ and goes on to say in a statement this morning that famed corporate raider Carl Icahn, who chairs ImClone’s board, has had ’several conversations with the ceo of a large pharmaceutical company,’ which was not named. The statement continues that ‘as a result of such conversations, the pharmaceutical company has submitted a proposal, subject to due diligence, but not subject to financing, to acquire ImClone for $70 per share in cash. “The special committee has determined, subject to the execution of a confidentiality agreement, to allow this company to conduct due diligence for a two week period, subject to extension by mutual consent. No determination has been made as to w... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1786182 Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:44:13 +0100 1786182 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1679625&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F355415368%2F Carl Icahn is showing his fangs. In a statement, ImClone’s chairman says Bristol-Myers Squibb’s $4.5 billion offer is way too low. He then maintains the bid was motivated, in part, because ImClone is developing a drug that may compete with Erbitux, the cancer med the two drugmakers jointly market. But Bristol may not have rights to this new drug. Bristol, you may recall, already owns 17 percent of ImClone. Here’s the fun part: Carl, essentially, accuses Bristol ceo Jim Cornelius of trying to pull a fast one. The statement says that Icahn “was disturbed that one of the directors on the ImClone Board, who is the Bristol-Myers designee, was privy to the information discussed at previous meetings concerning the potential separation of ImClone into two separate component... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1679625 Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:20:36 +0100 1679625 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1603407&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F331625627%2F Nice to see you again. We were up quite early today foraging for interesting items and researching others. So now we will tend to the official Pharmalot mascot and grab some coffee. Meanwhile, we hope your day gets off to a good start… US, Europe & Australia Unite On Drug Inspections (Associated Press) Shareholders Approve Biogen Board (Yahoo/Reuters) Novartis Closing Two Sites In France (Thomson Financial) (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1603407 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:49:17 +0100 1603407 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1522441&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F312998691%2F The famed corporate raider recently bought $200 million worth of stock in Amylin Pharmaceuticals, which is one of Lilly’s most critical partners, and the move raises questions about whether Icahn plans to push Amylin for a shakeup or a takeover, and whether that would threaten Lilly’s interests in the Byetta diabetes drug, The Indianapolis Star writes. On the other hand, pressure from Icahn could create an opportunity for Lilly to buy out its partner and get full control of the diabetes med, which generated $650 million in sales last year. But some analysts say it could become a multibillion-dollar blockbuster if a new long-acting version in clinical trials wins approval. Recently released clinical data seemed to raise its prospects, the paper notes. Icahn has disclosed no plan... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1522441 Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:37:45 +0100 1522441 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1509076&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F309585373%2F The wind and rain was ferocious last night here in the nation’s medicine chest. We spent part of our time securing the hatches and, later, hauling huge tree branches into the street. So much fun. But we have no complaints. We are, however, still getting reoriented and apologize for not posting these dispatches sooner. Hope your day is pleasant and productive… Unions Sue Law Firms Over Vioxx Settlement (Legal Newsline) Proxy Advisors Back Biogen Against Icahn (Yahoo/Reuters) Nastech Changes Name And Focus (Yahoo/AP) Bristol-Myers Stock Hits 6-Year Low On Diabetes Data (Yahoo/AP) Mylan Wins Appeal In Prilosec Patent Suit (The Wall Street Journal) (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1509076 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:02:55 +0100 1509076 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1497748&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F305491961%2F That’s what Carl Icahn is asking about Biogen Idec as he raises the volume in his increasingly messy proxy war to take control of the independent-minded biotech. And in his latest filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the infamous raider disagrees that Biogen’s own latest filing about its failed sales process last year is inconsistent with public statements made by Biogen execs. That failed attempt at a sale, by the way, came after Icahn pushed Biogen to put itself on the auction block, although Biogen management wasn’t really interested in the idea. Since then, Icahn refuses to take no for an answer and is trying to install his own slate of directors. The effort, though, is taking a nasty turn. For instance, he writes this in his SEC filing that “&#82... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1497748 Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:11:20 +0100 1497748 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1461242&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F295820027%2F Depends who you ask, of course. But everyone seems to love a list and so the latest ranking from a trade magazine offers an interesting - some may say curious - mix of ceo’s, politicians, regulators, scientists, academics and trade group types. There was no special ranking for controverisal, but Glaxo’s newly retired ceo JP Garnier got as high as No. 22 and Fred Hassan, who runs Schering-Plough, was named No. 32. The FDA’s Janet Woodcock garnered the 18th position, although her boss, the beleaguered FDA commish Andy von Eschenbach, didn’t rank at all. So much for making an impact, Andy. But NICE chair Michael Rawlins ranked No. 5. Who else scored? Carl Icahn shows up as 26th. Cass Wheeler of the American Heart Association finished at No. 36. Merck’s Dick Clar... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1461242 Thu, 22 May 2008 13:23:25 +0100 1461242 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1402186&cid=t_107010_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fthe-aa-dr-jung-letter%2F The Famous Letter From Carl Jung To Bill Wilson, Co-Founder Of Alcoholics Anonymous The thing that I find amazing about this letter from Carl Jung (pictured) to Bill Wilson concerning spirituality and alcoholism, is that Bill Wilson was nearing the end of his life and felt a need to express to Carl Jung how profoundly he was affected by his views. – Bill Urell Dr Carl Jung’s letter to Bill W. concluded; “You see, Alcohol in Latin is “spiritus” and you use the same word for the highest religious experience as well as for the most depraving poison. The helpful formula therefore is: spiritus contra spiritum.” Thanking you again for your kind letter. I remain yours sincerely,C.G. Jung Full story at Addiction Recovery Basics. See also; Verification of C. G. J... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1402186 Sat, 26 Apr 2008 21:08:50 +0100 1402186 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1382621&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F272797166%2F The biotech rejected Carl’s proposed directors, setting up a proxy fight over who sits on its board, The Boston Globe reports. A Biogen Idec spokeswoman tells the paper that the current board interviewed Icahn’s three nominees, but decided they were unsuitable because they were committed to his “single-minded agenda to sell the company,” which would make it harder to attract talented employees and form partnerships. The move comes three months after Icahn announced he would seek three board seats and four months after the biotech was unable to find a buyer and ended an auction, despite interest from several large drugmakers, partly due to a huge run-up in its stock price after Icahn’s initial investment became known. (more…) (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1382621 Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:32:21 +0100 1382621 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1233328&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F235254770%2F Another busy day draws to a close. At least for now. Who knows what may turn up later? Maybe another high-ranking exec will suddenly resign? Nonetheless, we will break to entertain one of the short people and check back later. We will also compile the results of our two latest unscientific polls - one concerning Fred Hassan, and the other about Andy Bonfield at Bristol-Myers Squibb. Meanwhile, these should help you keep busy….. Carl Icahn dumped his Genzyme shares, according to Xconomy.com. Regulatory filings posted today show that during the fourth quarter of 2007 the activist investor dumped all 1.5 million shares he bought in Genzyme during the third quarter. You may recall that Genzyme ceo Henry Termeer in December told Carl to go away, but the site speculates the real reason Car... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1233328 Fri, 15 Feb 2008 04:33:23 +0100 1233328 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1215493&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F231093310%2F Are you reading this, Carl? A letter to The New England Journal of Medicine details two dramatic, but potentially cautionary tales about Tysabri, Biogen’s troubled mulitple sclerosis med. And the news prompts one Wall Street analyst to say Biogen’s forecast for growing the number of Tysabri patients is unrealistic, perhaps dampening prospects for the biotech and Carl Icahn’s hopes of boosting the stock price. A 46-year-old woman with MS received her first dose, but then a mole that had been on her shoulder for years suddenly took on a dangerous new character; it turned out to be a melanoma that spread like wildfire and she has just a few months to live, writes Health Day News. And 45-year-old woman with MS developed melanoma in her retina after receiving several doses. S... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1215493 Thu, 07 Feb 2008 16:50:00 +0100 1215493 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1182989&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F224640065%2F The famed raider is seeking three seats on Biogen Idec’s board, the biotech disclosed this morning. The move raises the specter of a proxy fight and, perhaps, causing Biogen to again be up for sale. The biotech was unable to find a buyer and last month ended an auction, despite interest from several large drugmakers, partly due to a huge run-up in its stock price after Icahn’s initial investment became known. In a research note this morning, Geoff Meacham, an analyst at JP Morgan, wrote that he expects “volatility in Biogen’s shares, given what looks to be a looming proxy fight with the potential outcome of reopening the auction process that was initiated last fall,” according to Reuters. Icahn is proposing the nomination of three candidates to Biogen’s ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1182989 Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:52:15 +0100 1182989 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1090648&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F199422599%2F The biotech, which was the subject of intense speculation for several months after Carl Icahn bought a stake, was unable to find a buyer, even though many big drugmakers were believed to be interested in making a bid after the For Sale sign was put up official in October. So instead, Biogen will remain independent. The news, however, sent Biogen stock plunging 26 percent in after-hours trading to about $56, after closing at $75.88. Biogen shares had a big run-up several months ago, as Wall Street speculation grew over anticipation that Biogen would be a hot item among drugmakers looking to flesh out their thinning pipelines. Pfizer, for instance, took a look last spring, but passed. Others rumors to have been interested included Glaxo, Novartis and Sanofi-Aventis. But the rumors only promp... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1090648 Wed, 12 Dec 2007 22:25:41 +0100 1090648 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1073280&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F196038200%2F That’s what Henry Termeer, the biotech’s ceo, has to say, despite recent interest shown by Carl Icahn. Simply put - there are no plans to put for a For Sale sign outside, he tells The Wall Street Journal. After recently pushing two other biotechs into seeking buyers, Icahn last month reported he had taken a small stake in Genzyme, sparking predictions that the biotech would soon be in play. But Termeer says selling to a big pharma doesn’t make sense. “To integrate us to into a very large entity is not that attractive,” he tells the paper. “It is not that good a logical fit. It is much stronger as it is right now - as a stand-alone rather than as part of a company 10 times our size.” Why? Genzyme already has a global sales force, and its focus on dr... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1073280 Thu, 06 Dec 2007 11:38:43 +0100 1073280 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1028331&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F185219531%2F He overhauls ImClone Systems. Pushes MedImmune into the arms of AstraZeneca. And forces Biogen into play. Now, Carl The Raider may be going after Genzyme. Icahn Capital Management reported it owned 1.5 million shares of Genzyme stock as of Sept. 30, or less than 1 percent of the biotech, in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, The Boston Globe reports. It’s too early to know exactly what Icahn has in mind for Genzyme, one of the world’s biggest biotech companies with a market value of close to $19 billion and more than 9,000 employees, the Globe notes. The company, led by industry veteran Henri Termeer, is known for producing powerful treatments for rare disorders, such as Gaucher’s disease and Pompe disease. Icahn hasn’t publicly stated whether he ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1028331 Thu, 15 Nov 2007 13:22:11 +0100 1028331 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=987250&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F176639757%2F That’s what some analysts who follow the biotech are saying. There’s uncertainty about Biogen’s pipeline and concern that existing products might face sales pressure because of growing competition for Avonex, a multiple sclerosis treatment, an area it now dominates. Wall Street also notes a looming decrease in Biogen’s share of the profits on drugs it co-markets with Genentech, The Wall Street Journal reports. Biogen’s shares took off after the biotech responded to an offer from Carl Icahn, who owns roughly 4% of the stock, by saying it would open the bidding to others. The stock hit a 52-week high of $84.75 on Oct. 15, but slipped as some investors have grown skeptical and the company reported weaker-than-expected earnings last week. Biogen’s market val... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=987250 Mon, 29 Oct 2007 12:18:03 +0100 987250 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=982725&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F175516615%2F The first round could begin during the first 10 days of November, The Financial Times reports, citing unnamed buzz. But the paper writes that confidentiality agreements have been signed with speculation continuing to center on Pfizer and Novartis, since both companies have notably made public statements about their interest in improving their biologics offering. Although one of the people commented that with Biogen books not yet sent out, advisors are finding it very difficult to appraise the situation and to put a value on indications of interest based on public information alone. “If we don’t know the color of the cat, it is difficult to buy something you don’t know,” one wag told the paper. Another source who claimed direct access to Biogen’s management, however, said not to ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=982725 Fri, 26 Oct 2007 19:53:07 +0100 982725 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1003665&cid=t_107010_122_f&fid=35372&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsomatopsychic.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fcarl-running-participants.html We have begun running participants in CARL. I did my best to computerize our measures but each participant still takes about 90 minutes to run, and involves half-a-dozen pen & paper exercises alongside the dozen or so computerized measures. By far my favorite to administer is the Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). This is a test of basic mental functioning and generally people do quite well unless they have some sort of dementia or have suffered a stroke. But living in St. Louis has turned two straightforward questions into much trickier ones. That is:What county are we in?What city are we in?You see, ordinarily this is easy, when I was administering the MMSE as a PNT at the Samaritan Center in Vincennes, the answers were 'Knox' and 'Vincennes' respectively and most everyone go... Somatopsychic blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1003665 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 14:59:00 +0100 1003665 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=950972&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F170096942%2F That’s what the billionaire is saying to reassure investors about his interest in the biotech. “If an offer was made, Elan would not activate its change of control provision,” for the Tysabri multiple sclerosis med, Icahn tells Bloomberg News. “I don’t think they wanted to be a poison pill. That’s very important. It opens the door a lot.” On Friday, Biogen put itself up for sale after investor Icahn made an offer and the biotech claim to have received “expressions of interest” from others. Icahn offered $23 billion last week and believes Biogen, according to Bloomberg, which notes that some analysts project Tysabri sales could exceed $2 billion in three years. Based on its market cap as of last week, Biogen is worth about $20 billion. ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=950972 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 11:01:40 +0100 950972 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=947461&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F169178919%2F The biotech’s board of directors announced late today that a sale is being explored after Carl Icahn, who recently bought a stake, and other investors expressed interest in a deal. Who are those others? A Biogen spokewoman tells Bloomberg News that unnamed drugmakers have expressed interest. The move comes after the Federal Trade Commission two months ago cleared Icahn to increase his stake in the biotech, prompting a run-up in the stock as investors speculated Icahn would launch a takeover. Icahn, of course, often presses for a sale when he thinks a stock is undervalued. He bought shares in MedImmune before helping to force a $15 billion sale to AstraZeneca. “The rumor that the company has been in play for a long time has been confirmed by this,” Geoff Porges, an analyst... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=947461 Sat, 13 Oct 2007 00:41:38 +0100 947461 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=839137&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F151991047%2F And so the store is again open for business. We appreciate your patience while we broke for vacation, but hope you also managed to enjoy the end of summer. Now, though, it is time to resume our place on the treadmill. While we adjust, here are a few items you may have missed over the weekend…. There are growing signs of investor discontent with GlaxoSmithKline. And so Christopher Gent, the drugmaker’s chairman, is expected to address the rumblings at his annual autumn chat with shareholders, some of whom want the consumer business spun off. Then there’s the little matter of who should succeed JP Garnier as ceo. Jp, you may recall, retires in May and Glaxo could announce his replacement by year end. Carl Icahn as Biotech Boy. Last week, he won federal approval to increase ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=839137 Tue, 04 Sep 2007 10:54:32 +0100 839137 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=821447&cid=t_107010_122_f&fid=35372&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsomatopsychic.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Flabs-fall-07.html This season I'm working in two research labs. The first is Dr. Taylor's rat lab that I worked in last year. This year I'm in charge of drug supplies so I mixed up Testosterone Propriate in olive oil and Letrozole in saline, as well as two control substances. We also performed surgeries on the rats so I got my first experience at running the anesthesia apparatus and castrating and ovariectomizing the rats. All the rats survived surgery and just a few days later most are fully recovered, they are resilient animals.The other lab I'm working with is Dr. Bucur's Cognitive Aging Research Lab (CARL) that I also worked with last spring. We've had some recruitment snags, but hopefully that is straightened out, and we can get some research going this semester. The CARL web page is still not up and r... Somatopsychic blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=821447 Fri, 24 Aug 2007 15:37:00 +0100 821447 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=808628&cid=t_107010_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F19%2Fupper-trunk-fat-this-is-not-about-elephants%2F This study, linking upper trunk fat to insulin resistance, was conducted by researchers based at the San Francisco VA Medical Center. The connection was actually established in the course of a study of fat redistribution and metabolic change in HIV-infected patients. Both HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral therapy and non-HIV-infected control participants were involved in the study.A surprise finding was this fact that upper trunk fat contributes to insulin resistance just as much as does visceral fat. Also of note: this occurs regardless of whether or not the other type of fat is present. The researchers also note that all study participants were equally at risk. Says lead researcher Dr. Carl Grunfeld, "Strikingly, there was very little difference between HIV-infected people and cont... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=808628 Sun, 19 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 808628 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=764509&cid=t_107010_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F138268932%2F Leave it to Carl Icahn to get things done. At the behest of the new ImClone chairman, the two drugmakers are expanding their existing investment in the Erbitux cancer med by up “several hundred million dollars,” and plan to add “numerous” clinical trials to find new uses for the drug, according to a statement. The new studies will test Erbitux in tumors found in the brain, bladder, breast, lung, pancreas and prostate. ImClone shares had gained 70 percent this year as of May 9 on optimism the company would find more uses for Erbitux, which had sales of $1.1 billion last year, Bloomberg News notes. ImClone has been going through convulsions over the past year. Last October, Carl Icahn - the famed corporate raider - took control and ousted the board and management in ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=764509 Sat, 28 Jul 2007 13:50:04 +0100 764509 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=534517&cid=t_107010_122_f&fid=35372&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsomatopsychic.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F04%2Fworking-with-carl.html This semester I've been working as a graduate research assistant for Dr. Barbara Bucur, in her new lab here at UMSL. She is new faculty this year and I've been helping get everything set-up for the lab. This has involved some mundane work, like moving furniture and file folders, but mainly it has involved learning new software and creating content. My first job was to make a web site for the lab, which I have done, but we don't really have enough content yet to post to the university servers. (Here is my copy) I also got to name the lab. Next up was learning E-prime (the software not the linguistic craze), and creating a script to display Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) word lists. I have calibrated a visual acuity test, created an ad to recruit participants, began creating packets of data ... Somatopsychic blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=534517 Sun, 08 Apr 2007 18:11:00 +0100 534517 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=551441&cid=t_107010_140_f&fid=35440&url=http%3A%2F%2Fspiritualemergency.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F03%2Fguidelines-for-reading-this-blog.html Most of the blogs I've seen are the equivalent of an online journal that discuss the joys and trials of one's daily existence or interests. You should know, this blog isn't organized on that principle. This blog is primarily a means of bringing together specific articles and viewpoints that I've found helpful in understanding and moving through my own spiritual emergency. It's been structured to present entries in chronological order (as opposed to typical blog layout wherein the most recent entry is on "the top") and is currently complete. I won't be adding any more entries to the blog aside from changing out the featured quote from time to time. Depending on why you're here, it might be helpful for you -- the reader -- to follow some brief guidelines to increase your reading satisfaction... Spiritual Emergency blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=551441 Sun, 01 Apr 2007 04:44:00 +0100 551441 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=499939&cid=t_107010_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F03%2F25%2Fsunday-seven-seven-happy-healthy-habits%2F Filed under: All Cancers, Environment, Diets, Stress Reduction, Exercise, Nutrition, Services, Sunday SevenThe experts at Canyon Ranch resort and spa know what they're talking about when it comes to health and happiness. They make a living off their expertise, in fact. But they're not stingy when it comes to sharing their know-how, and on the Canyon Ranch website, they offer us all a chance to better our lives.I promised in an earlier post to share more of what the Canyon Ranchers have to say -- so here are seven more healthy habits you just might want to embrace.To Carb or Not to CarbCanyon Ranch has watched "fad" diets come and go, never falling for their quick, easy-fix mentality and consistently advocating for balance, moderation and basic good nutrition. In recent years, some diets ha... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=499939 Sun, 25 Mar 2007 04:00:00 +0100 499939 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=486421&cid=t_107010_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F102813755%2F Science writer Carl Zimmer of The Loom has done the count and arrived at 18,308 genes in the human genome. The pie shows that we’re now down to just 18,308 genes. That’s over 8,000 genes fewer than six years ago. Many sequences that once looked like full-fledged genes, capable of generating a protein, now don’t make the grade. Some genes turned out to be pseudogenes–vestiges of genes that once worked but have been since wrecked by mutations. In other cases, DNA segments that appeared to be parts of separate genes have turned out to be part of the same gene. At this rate, we won’t be much better than fruit flies as the gene count continues to be refined. Carl’s organism of choice, E. coli, stands at 3200 genes on one chromosome. Tags: carl zimmer, genet... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=486421 Mon, 19 Mar 2007 14:35:33 +0100 486421 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=551445&cid=t_107010_140_f&fid=35440&url=http%3A%2F%2Fspiritualemergency.blogspot.com%2F2006%2F11%2Ftibetan-book-of-dead.html is pragmatically and existentially directed toward the "dead" who are still living, and not especially toward those who are clinically dead. To reveal this less obvious meaning, we need to examine more closely some of the key features of the manifest meaning, for these indicate that both the existence of gods and the existence of an after-death bardo realm are questionable. With respect to the reality of the gods and demons that are experienced in the after-death state, we have noted that the text informs the disembodied consciousness that these deities have no substantial reality of their own. Indeed, this is the central illuminating principle of the text. Two memorable excerpts are as follows:Through the instruction of his guru he will recognize them [the visionary deities] as his own p... Spiritual Emergency blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=551445 Mon, 13 Nov 2006 06:17:00 +0100 551445 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=551454&cid=t_107010_140_f&fid=35440&url=http%3A%2F%2Fspiritualemergency.blogspot.com%2F2006%2F07%2Fprocess-of-individuation-shadow_09.html Image SourceWithin Jungian psychology there is a concept known as The Shadow. Most of us encounter our own shadows in the form of projection. That is to say, we disown the characteristics and behaviors we cannot stand about ourselves and project them onto others. We then insist that they carry our shadow for us and may even punish them for the things we hate about ourselves. One example of this might be a minister who openly despises gays while privately engaging in closeted homosexual activity. Those who cannot accept their shadow will reject it in favor of embracing their Persona. The persona is the idealized image we present of who we really are. And still ... The Shadow Knows when we are lying to ourselves and those around us. The shadow contains our every fear, our every terror, it kn... Spiritual Emergency blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=551454 Sun, 09 Jul 2006 07:08:00 +0100 551454 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=551457&cid=t_107010_140_f&fid=35440&url=http%3A%2F%2Fspiritualemergency.blogspot.com%2F2006%2F07%2Faugust-and-everything-after.html This was one of those songs that got stuck in my head long before August, and Everything After ever arrived...Black Crow Flies Through a Hole in the SkyThe Rain King [*]When I think of heavenDeliver me in a black-winged birdI think of flying ... Down in your sea of pins and feathersAnd all other instruments ofFaith and Sex and God In the Belly of a Black-Winged Bird.Don't try to feed me'Cause I've been here before And I deserve a little moreI belong, in the service of the QueenI belong, anywhere but in betweenShe's been crying, I've been thinkingAnd I am, the Rain KingAnd I said mama, mama, mama, Why am I so alone? I can't go outside, I'm scared I might not make it homeBut I'm alive, I'm alive But I'm sinking inIf there's anyone at home at your place, darlin'Why don't you invite me in? Don... Spiritual Emergency blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=551457 Sun, 09 Jul 2006 07:07:00 +0100 551457 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=551458&cid=t_107010_140_f&fid=35440&url=http%3A%2F%2Fspiritualemergency.blogspot.com%2F2006%2F07%2Fwasteland.html An excerpt from a poem which got stuck early in this process...I. THE BURIAL OF THE DEADAPRIL is the cruellest month, breeding Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing Memory and desire, stirring Dull roots with spring rain. Winter kept us warm, covering Earth in forgetful snow, feeding A little life with dried tubers. Summer surprised us, coming over the Starnbergersee With a shower of rain; we stopped in the colonnade, And went on in sunlight, into the Hofgarten, And drank coffee, and talked for an hour. Bin gar keine Russin, stamm' aus Litauen, echt deutsch. And when we were children, staying at the archduke's, My cousin's, he took me out on a sled, And I was frightened. He said, Marie, Marie, hold on tight. And down we went. In the mountains, there you feel free. I read... Spiritual Emergency blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=551458 Sun, 09 Jul 2006 07:06:00 +0100 551458 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=551460&cid=t_107010_140_f&fid=35440&url=http%3A%2F%2Fspiritualemergency.blogspot.com%2F2006%2F07%2Fshadow-knows.html Image SourceWithin Jungian psychology there is a concept known as The Shadow. Most of us encounter our own shadows in the form of projection. That is to say, we disown the characteristics and behaviors we cannot stand about ourselves and project them onto others. We then insist that they carry our shadow for us and may even punish them for the things we hate about ourselves. One example of this might be a minister who openly despises gays while privately engaging in closeted homosexual activity. Those who cannot accept their shadow will reject it in favor of embracing their Persona. The persona is the idealized image we present of who we really are. And still ... The Shadow Knows when we are lying to ourselves and those around us. The shadow contains our every fear, our every terror, it kn... Spiritual Emergency blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=551460 Sat, 01 Jul 2006 18:11:00 +0100 551460