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Can breastfeeding protect against ADHD?

Public release date: 14-May-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Vicki Cohn vcohn@liebertpub.com 914-740-2100 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News

New Rochelle, NY, May 14, 2013Breastfeeding has a positive impact on the physical and mental development of infants. A new study suggests that breastfeeding may protect against the development of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) later in childhood. The study is reported in Breastfeeding Medicine, the Official Journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article is available free on the Breastfeeding Medicine website at http://www.liebertpub.com/bfm.

A team of Israeli researchers led by Aviva Mimouni-Bloch, MD compared breastfeeding history and other factors in a group of children 6-12 year of age diagnosed with ADHD to control groups of children who did not have ADHD. The results demonstrated that overall, the children with ADHD were less likely to have been breastfed at 3 and 6 months of age than the children without ADHD. This association between ADHD and lack of breastfeeding was statistically significant.

"Breastfeeding has been shown to have a positive impact on child development, good health, and protection against illness. Now, another possible benefit of breastfeeding for three months and especially six months or longer has been identified," says Ruth Lawrence, MD, Editor-in-Chief of Breastfeeding Medicine and Professor of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine. "This study opens another avenue of investigation in the prevention of ADHD."

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About the Journal

Breastfeeding Medicine, the Official Journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, is an authoritative, peer-reviewed journal published bimonthly in print and online. The Journal publishes original scientific papers, reviews, and case studies on a broad spectrum of topics in lactation medicine. It presents evidence-based research advances and explores the immediate and long-term outcomes of breastfeeding, including the epidemiologic, physiologic, and psychological benefits of breastfeeding. Tables of content and a sample issue may be viewed on the Breastfeeding Medicine website at http://www.liebertpub.com/bfm.

About the Publisher

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers is a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many promising areas of science and biomedical research, including Journal of Women's Health, Childhood Obesity, and Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology. Its biotechnology trade magazine, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN) was the first in its field and is today the industry's most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firm's 70 journals, books, and newsmagazines is available on the Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers website at http://www.liebertpub.com.

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Can breastfeeding protect against ADHD?

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Angelina Jolie's screen test puts genetic key to breast cancer in the spotlight

Even celebrities are mortal. They share our genes and, like us, cannot escape their inheritance. Angelina Jolies graceful and dignified account of her encounter with her own mortality in The New York Times will inspire millions.

It will also shine a light on the developing science of genetic diagnosis and DNA profiling which is increasingly allowing patients at high risk of inherited diseases to be identified so that they can take preventive action.

The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes were the first to be identified in breast and ovarian cancer more than 20 years ago. The presence of faulty versions of the genes increases the risk of the diseases by at least 50 per cent, the exact proportion depending on other factors. Just as the risk varies from woman to woman, so does the response.

In Ms Jolies case it was radical surgery to remove her breasts. About 3,000 women in the UK have done likewise. But for other women the decisions required may be less radical and distressing, involving modifying lifestyle, having regular mammograms or MRI scans or starting a course of preventive drugs.

Only last January, the UKs National Institute for Clinical Excellence recommended for the first time in draft guidance that women at high risk of breast cancer be prescribed the drug tamoxifen or a related drug as a preventive measure. Tamoxifen has been established as a treatment for the disease for decades.

Ms Jolie, however, opted for surgery with its more certain outcome. Doctors told her that her risk was raised by 87 per cent and reduced to 5 per cent by the removal of her breasts. Take away most of the tissue where the cancer develops and you take away most of the risk.

She chose nipple preserving surgery one of the toughest choices women in her position have to make. It meant that some breast tissue was left behind. But after reconstruction with implants, her breasts would look normal following the operation which was important to reassure her children.

They can see my small scars and thats it. Everything else is just Mommy, the same as she always was, she wrote.

The maximum protection from the surgery is achieved by removing the maximum amount of tissue. But removal of the nipple is a disfiguring operation and a step too far for many women.

Genetic testing of the kind Ms Jolie underwent is becoming increasingly common. Testing for the presence of specific mutations is already available for a range of cancers, including those of the womb, bowel, stomach and bladder, where the presence of an inherited faulty gene may increase the risk by between 10 and 60 per cent

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Angelina Jolie's screen test puts genetic key to breast cancer in the spotlight

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Synthetic Biology Could Speed Flu Vaccine Production

Advanced genetic engineering is already changing vaccine development and could make inroads into other branches of medicine.

Synthetic biology is breathing new life into the old-fashioned world of vaccine production, raising hopes that manufacturers could release vaccines much more quickly when outbreaks occur.

At a meeting on synthetic biology held at MIT, the drug company Novartis said it has synthesized hybrid flu genomes in a process that could shave weeks off the time required to produce vaccines. When new flu strain emerges, government agencies normally send samples to vaccine manufacturers, who grow large numbers of the pathogen in chicken eggs as starting material for vaccines, says Philip Dormitzer, leader of viral vaccine research for Novartis. This process can take months and can miss the peak of an outbreak. But Novartis, working with synthetic biologists, has developed a way of chemically synthesizing virus genomes and growing them in tissue culture cells. That saves time and may produce more effective vaccines.

The idea is to build a synthetic virus based on sequence data that can be distributed much more quickly than actual viral material harvested at the site of an outbreak. The synthetic viral genome combines a genomic backbone common to many flu viruses with genes specific to the strains seen in a new outbreak. In 2011, the team tested its method in response to a mock outbreak of a bird-flu virus (one closely related to the H7N9 virus currently spreading in China). Starting at 8 a.m. on Monday that year, the team began to chemically synthesize a viral genome based on sequence data, says Dormitzer. By noon the following Friday, the team had confirmed that it had live virus growing in cell culture.

Until recently, most synthetic-biology efforts have focused on engineering bacteria to produce desirable compounds such as drugs (see Microbes Can Mass-Produce Malaria Drug) or fuel (see Bacteria Make Diesel from Biomass); they havent involved humans or other mammals. But that is changing. Mammalian synthetic biology, which involves modifying mammalian genetic circuits, is still in relative infancy, says Jim Collins, a synthetic biologist at Boston University. There are only a handful of groups in the space, and its very hard to do that engineering, he says.

In other work described at the Cambridge meeting, Pam Silver, a synthetic biologist at Harvard Medical School, presented methods for cell-based computing, in which logic gates can be built from engineered proteins. One application of these tools is a genetic circuit that enables cells to remember if they were exposed to radiation, even after the radiation is gone. So far, she and her team have built such a circuit in yeast cells, but she says the technology could transfer to human cells. That could be a useful situation in therapy and long term for space travel, and also for simply reporting on the experiences of cells in the body, says Silver.

Some efforts to apply synthetic biology to health focus on programming stem cells to behave like naturally occurring cells that have been lost because of disease. Douglas Melton, a molecular and cell biologist at Harvard University, is programming stem cells to replace the glucose-sensing and insulin-producing cells lost in type 1 diabetes. This condition usually arises from an autoimmune reaction against the beta cells of the pancreas, which leaves the body without insulin.

Melton and his lab are working toward a technology in which the beta cells and other cells involved in regulating blood sugar could be replaced by encapsulated collections of mature cells derived from stem cells. The challenge will be to produce the final, differentiated cell types using hormones or other chemical signals to guide the development process. What one wants to understand is how to instruct the cell as to which genes it should turn on and off, says Melton.

But replicating the natural processes of cellular development isnt easy. Melton says his group is able to make beta cells that produce insulin, but the process is imperfect. About half of the cells do what you want to do, he says. We dont know how to tell the cells to be only beta cells. And the cultured beta cells do not have the finely tuned response to glucose that the bodys cells do: Beta cells have to sense glucose levels and then squirt out the right amount of insulin, he says. Our cells will respond to glucose, but not with accurate sensing mechanisms. They usually dump insulin on the first [sign] of glucose.

Other researchers are hoping to engineer entirely new circuits into cells to help diabetes patients. Martin Fussenegger, a bioengineer at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, described a molecular system in which cells are modified with genes that can detect low pH levels in the blood, a sign of a diabetic state. In response, he says, the engineered cells will produce insulin to better regulate blood sugar levels and calm the diabetic state.

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Genetic Testing Market Outlook to 2017

NEW YORK, May 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

Genetic Testing Market Outlook to 2017

http://www.reportlinker.com/p01182998/Genetic-Testing-Market-Outlook-to-2017.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=Genomics

A recent report, "Genetic Testing Market Outlook to 2017", provides an in-depth analysis of the current and future genetic testing market. A comprehensive introduction of gene-based tests, their working principles and types are covered in around a 140-page report. On account of our analysis of the past and present market trends; drivers; and existing strengths and challenges; forecast for genetic testing has been drawn, according to which, the market is likely to grow at a CAGR of around 9% during 2012-2017.

Our report is an outcome of extensive interaction with industry experts which has led us to portray the updated status of genetic testing in various therapeutic areas, major geographies and significant industry applications. The genetic testing industry has seen several new product launches, active research innovations, strategic activities, launch of new DTC tests, and wider therapeutic applications.

The report effectively illustrates the role of genetic testing in diseases such as Cancer, Cystic Fibrosis, and Alzheimer. It also incorporates the information on disease prevalence, available tests, and genes that cause a particular disease. An extensive research and reliable statistics in terms of market size, developments and future performance for emerging sectors namely, Next-Generation Sequencing, Whole Genome Sequencing, Non Invasive Prenatal Diagnostics, and Personalized Medicine have been covered in the report.

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Genetic Testing Market Outlook to 2017

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University of Maryland Medical Center Launches Genetic-Testing Program for Cardiac Stent Patients

New personalized medicine initiative enables doctors to tailor drug therapies to individual patients based on genetic profile

Newswise BALTIMORE May 14, 2013. Patients with coronary artery disease who undergo treatment at the University of Maryland Medical Center now can receive long-term therapy based on information found in their genes. As part of a new personalized medicine initiative, the medical center is offering genetic testing to help doctors determine which medication a patient should take after a stenting procedure in order to prevent blood clots that could lead to serious and potentially fatal heart attacks and strokes.

Patients with suspected heart disease undergo coronary catheterization to identify blocked or narrow arteries. Tiny tubes, or stents, are often placed in the arteries to keep them open, and, after surgery, patients typically take antiplatelet drugs, such as clopidogrel (Plavix), to prevent platelets blood cells produced in bone marrow from sticking together and forming clots.

Now, patients who undergo coronary catheterization at UMMC and the Baltimore VA Medical Center, both of which are affiliated with the University of Maryland School of Medicine, can elect to be tested for variations in a gene called CYP2C19. Up to one-fourth of the U.S. population carries at least one abnormal copy of the CYP2C19 gene, and research has shown that as a result, these individuals do not metabolize the standard anti-clotting medication clopidogrel effectively.

There is strong clinical data to support pharmacogenetic testing in regard to antiplatelet therapy, says Alan R. Shuldiner, M.D., the John L. Whitehurst Endowed Professor of Medicine, associate dean for personalized medicine and director of the Program in Personalized and Genomic Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Its time to incorporate genetics into the complex medical decisions that we make on behalf of our patients.

In 2009, Dr. Shuldiner led a University of Maryland study, published in JAMA, which showed that patients with a CYP2C19 gene variation exhibited reduced clinical benefit from taking clopidogrel. Based on growing clinical evidence reported in Dr. Shuldiners study and others, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about the reduced efficacy of clopidogrel in people with the genetic variation.

Pharmacogenetic testing enables us to tailor drug treatments to individual patients based on their unique genetic makeup, or genotype, says Dr. Shuldiner, an endocrinologist and geneticist. With genotype-directed therapy, we have the ability to change the one size fits all approach to prescribing medication and ultimately improve the quality of care we provide to our patients. Patients want personalized and individualized medicine. They seek it out.

The test is performed by analyzing the patients DNA, isolated from a blood sample, in a new state-of-the-art translational genomics laboratory at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. The tests are being conducted as part of a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded study to determine the best way to implement genetic-testing programs. Tests are free, and because of the partnership between UMMC and the University of Maryland School of Medicine, results are available within a few hours.

Dr. Shuldiner explains that the ability to provide test results within hours is crucial because cardiac stent patients are at risk for developing blood clots and other complications soon after they have the procedure. This rapid turnaround time sets our program apart from other programs and commercial laboratories, where results may not be available for up to two weeks, he adds.

Pharmacogenomics how genes affect a persons response to drugs is a burgeoning area of research, but only a small number of hospitals in the United States have programs to offer routine genetic testing as part of their clinical practice. This new approach to patient care is part of the University of Maryland School of Medicines pursuit of more individualized, or personalized, medical treatment.

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University of Maryland Medical Center Launches Genetic-Testing Program for Cardiac Stent Patients

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GeneticS Gaming l Introducing TeNziKa- / GeneticS-TenZ – Video


GeneticS Gaming l Introducing TeNziKa- / GeneticS-TenZ
Game Clip.

By: ClanGeneticSGaming

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Mallowbops- genetics made easy – Video


Mallowbops- genetics made easy
These little creatures will unravel the world of genetics! Or they may just run around 😉

By: Glen Dawkins

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Mallowbops- genetics made easy - Video

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GeneticS Gaming l Introducing X_KillerxFrann_X – Video


GeneticS Gaming l Introducing X_KillerxFrann_X
Game Clip.

By: ClanGeneticSGaming

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Myriad Genetics Shares Climb After Angelina Jolie Has Mastectomy

Cancer test developer Myriad Genetics (MYGN) saw its shares climb 4% Tuesday, a move that followed word from actress Angelina Jolie that she had a double mastectomy after learning she was at high risk for breast cancer.

Jolie wrote in a New York Times column published late Monday that she underwent voluntary surgery to remove her breasts because a genetic mutation she carries means she has an up to 87% chance of developing the disease in her lifetime. The 37-year-old actress, known for movies such as "Gia" and "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider," led her announcement by noting that her mother died of breast cancer at age 56.

Salt Lake City-based Myriad has a test called the BRACAnalysis that's designed to determine a woman's risk of getting hereditary breast or ovarian cancer by looking for defects in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. These mutations, the company says, are the cause of most hereditary breast cancer cases. Jolie wrote in her guest piece that she has the BRCA1 mutation.

In recent trading, Myriad, which researches tests for several cancers, including colorectal cancer and pancreatic cancer, was up $1.34 to $34.45. The stock is at its best level since mid-2009, according to Yahoo Finance data.

"Once I knew that this was my reality, I decided to be proactive and to minimize the risk as much I could," Jolie said in the column. "I made a decision to have a preventive double mastectomy. I started with the breasts, as my risk of breast cancer is higher than my risk of ovarian cancer, and the surgery is more complex."

She said she hoped other women would have the genetic test, and, should they learn they have a greater risk of getting breast or ovarian cancer, "know that they have strong options."

The National Cancer Institute expects more than 232,000 women in the U.S. to be diagnosed with some type of breast cancer this year. It predicts breast cancer will cause 39,620 female deaths. While unusual, men can also get breast cancer. About 2,200 new cases are foreseen in America in 2013, with 410 deaths. Myriad says around 7% of breast cancers are a result of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 defects.

Myriad was in the news earlier this spring by being involved in a legal case on whether patenting human genes should be allowed. A ruling by the Supreme Court will come later this year.

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Myriad Genetics Shares Climb After Angelina Jolie Has Mastectomy

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Myriad Genetics to Present at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Health Care Conference

SALT LAKE CITY, May 14, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Myriad Genetics, Inc. (MYGN) announced today that Peter D. Meldrum, president and CEO, is scheduled to present at the Bank Of America Merrill Lynch 2013 Health Care Conference, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific on May 16, 2013, at the Encore at the Wynn in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The presentation will be available to interested parties through a live audio webcast accessible through a link on the investor relations section of Myriad's Web site at http://www.myriad.com.

About Myriad Genetics

Myriad Genetics is a leading molecular diagnostic company dedicated to making a difference in patients' lives through the discovery and commercialization of transformative tests to assess a person's risk of developing disease, guide treatment decisions and assess risk of disease progression and recurrence. Myriad's portfolio of molecular diagnostic tests are based on an understanding of the role genes play in human disease and were developed with a commitment to improving an individual's decision making process for monitoring and treating disease. Myriad is focused on strategic directives to introduce new products, including companion diagnostics, as well as expanding internationally. For more information on how Myriad is making a difference, please visit the Company's website: http://www.myriad.com.

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Myriad Genetics to Present at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Health Care Conference

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Myriad Genetics shares rise to three-year highs

NEW YORK (AP) -- Shares of diagnostic test maker Myriad Genetics Inc. rose to a three-year high Tuesday, as analysts said actions by the Supreme Court and actress Angelina Jolie could both help the company.

THE SPARK: Oscar-winner Jolie disclosed Tuesday that she recently had a preventative double mastectomy after learning she faced a high risk of breast and ovarian cancer because of an inherited genetic mutation. Myriad makes a test called BRACAnalysis that looks for that mutation, and the test is the source of most of the company's revenue.

On Monday the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Monsanto Co.'s claim that a farmer in Indiana violated one of its patents on soybean seeds. The patents covered genetic modification that made the seeds resistant to Monsanto's Roundup herbicide. The high court recently heard a legal challenge to some of Myriad's genetic patents, and analysts said Monday's ruling could be good news for Myriad.

THE BIG PICTURE: BRACAnalysis looks for mutations on the breast cancer predisposition gene, or BRCA. Women with mutations on that gene have a three-to-seven times greater risk of developing breast cancer and also a higher risk of ovarian cancer. In the first quarter of 2013 almost three-quarters of Myriad's revenue came from BRACAnalysis testing.

In the U.S. 5 to 10 percent of breast cancer cases are thought to be linked to BRCA genes. Women of Eastern European Jewish descent are more likely to have faulty copies of the BRCA gene. Women who have inherited the gene are about five times more likely to get breast cancer.

In mid-April the Supreme Court heard a case related to the patenting of human genes. The case challenges two patents Myriad holds on genes related to the BRACAnalysis test. The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups have argued that the government shouldn't award patents on genes.

The Patent & Trademark office has been awarding such patents for decades. A High Court ruling is expected by June.

Analysts expect Myriad's patents to be upheld and note that even if the Supreme Court invalidates the patents, the company has other patents supporting the test.

THE ANALYSIS: In an email Cowen & Co. analyst Doug Schenkel said there is comparatively little testing of women who, like Jolie, don't have cancer or cancer symptoms but have an increased risk of the disease because of their family history or ethnic background. He said Jolie's story increases awareness of the BRACAnalysis test and of the risk some women face, and that's good news for the company.

William Blair analyst Amanda Murphy said in an email that she believes the Monsanto decision was a bigger factor in Tuesday's stock movement. She said the court recognized the investment that companies like Monsanto have to make in research and development, and that issue was also discussed during oral arguments in the Myriad case.

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Myriad Genetics shares rise to three-year highs

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Cancer Genetics to Sponsor and Host Roundtable at BioNJ Diagnostics & Personalized Medicine Innovation Summit

RUTHERFORD, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Cancer Genetics, Inc. (CGIX) ("CGI" or the "Company"), a leader in oncology-focused personalized medicine, will sponsor and host a roundtable discussion at the second annual BioNJ Diagnostics & Personalized Medicine Innovation Summit on Thursday, June 6, 2013 at Sanofis U.S. headquarters in Bridgewater, NJ.

The BioNJ Diagnostics & Personalized Medicine Innovation Summit will bring together leaders from major global biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, diagnostics companies, and emerging innovator companies to discuss the latest trends, developments and challenges in the evolution and adoption of personalized medicine. The all-day event will include company presentations, networking opportunities, and moderated panel discussions focused on research and commercialization challenges in diagnostics and personalized medicine.

Panna Sharma, CEO and President of CGI, will moderate a morning roundtable discussion that will offer a cross-industry perspective from thought leaders and operators in the frontline of driving personalized medicine. The panel will discuss trends and strategies that are emerging among leading companies in personalized medicine. Panelists include:

To learn more about the BioNJ Diagnostics & Personalized Medicine Innovation Summit, visit http://www.bionj.org/diagnostics-and-personalized-medicine-innovation-summit.

About Cancer Genetics, Inc.

Cancer Genetics, Inc. (CGI) is an emerging leader in DNA-based cancer diagnostics and servicessome of the most prestigious medical institutions in the world. Our tests target cancers that are difficult to diagnose and predict treatment outcomes. These cancers include hematological, urogenital and HPV-associated cancers. We also provide a comprehensive range of non-proprietary oncology-focused tests and laboratory services.

CGIs cutting-edge proprietary tests and state-of-the-art reference laboratory provide critical genomic information to healthcare professionals as well as biopharma and biotech. Our state-of-the-art reference lab is focused entirely on maintaining clinical excellence and is both CLIA certified and CAP accredited and has licensure from several states including New York State.

Founded in 1999 by world-renowned cytogeneticist Dr. R.S.K. Chaganti, the Company has been built on a foundation of world-class scientific knowledge and IP in solid and blood-borne cancers, and has established strong research collaborations with major cancer centers such as Memorial Sloan-Kettering, The Cleveland Clinic and the National Cancer Institute. For further information, please seewww.cancergenetics.com.

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Cancer Genetics to Sponsor and Host Roundtable at BioNJ Diagnostics & Personalized Medicine Innovation Summit

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Atossa Genetics to Present at the Sachs Associates Cancer Bio Partnering Forum and Participate on the Cancer Tech Panel

SEATTLE, WA--(Marketwired - May 14, 2013) - Atossa Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATOS), The Breast Health Company, announced today that Dr. Steven Quay, Chairman, CEO & President, will speak and participate on the Diagnostics panel at the Sachs Associates Cancer Bio Partnering Forum on Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at the Westin Copley Place in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Quay's corporate presentation will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. and the Diagnostics panel will take place from 11:55 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. Eastern Time.

Dr. Quay commented, "The Sachs Associates Cancer Bio Partnering Forum is a unique event that brings together a prestigious group of thought leaders and business development executives in the cancer biology space to discuss the latest advances in cancer diagnosis and treatments. I appreciate the opportunity to present our ForeCYTE Breast Health Test and other breast health products and laboratory services and to discussing our plans to develop an intraductal therapy for treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in order to prevent breast cancer. I look forward to a highly productive meeting."

About Atossa Genetics, Inc.

Atossa Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATOS), The Breast Health Company, is based in Seattle, WA, and is focused on preventing breast cancer through the commercialization of patented diagnostic medical devices and patented laboratory developed tests (LDT) that can detect precursors to breast cancer up to eight years before mammography, and through research and development that will permit it to commercialize treatments for pre-cancerous lesions.

The National Reference Laboratory for Breast Health (NRLBH), a wholly owned subsidiary of Atossa Genetics, Inc., is a CLIA-certified high-complexity molecular diagnostic laboratory located in Seattle, WA. The NRLBH provides the patented ForeCYTE Breast Health Test, a risk assessment test for women 18 to 73 years of age akin to the Pap Smear, and the ArgusCYTE Breast Health Test, a blood test for recurrence in breast cancer survivors that provides a "liquid biopsy" for circulating breast cancer cells and a tailored treatment plan for patients and their caregivers.

For additional information, please visit http://www.atossagenetics.com. You can also view a video about the ForeCYTE test here: http://vimeo.com/62214008.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release is being issued for compliance with Regulation FD. Forward-looking statements in this press release are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated or estimated future results, including the risks and uncertainties associated with actions by the FDA, regulatory clearances, responses to regulatory matters, Atossa's ability to continue to manufacture and sell its products, the efficacy of Atossa's products and services, the market demand for and acceptance of Atossa's products and services, performance of distributors and other risks detailed from time to time in Atossa's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation its registration statement on Form S-1 filed April 5, 2013, and periodic reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q, each as amended and supplemented from time to time.

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Atossa Genetics to Present at the Sachs Associates Cancer Bio Partnering Forum and Participate on the Cancer Tech Panel

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Seattle Genetics Announces ADCETRIS® (Brentuximab Vedotin) Supplemental BLA Accepted for Filing by the FDA

BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Seattle Genetics, Inc. (SGEN) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for filing a supplement to the Biologics License Application (sBLA) supporting the use of ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) for retreatment and extended duration beyond 16 cycles of therapy in relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL). The FDA is expected to take action on the application by September 14, 2013. ADCETRIS is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) directed to CD30, a defining marker of HL and sALCL, that was granted accelerated approval by the FDA in August 2011 for relapsed HL and relapsed sALCL.

Our goal is to broaden the ADCETRIS U.S. labeling claims to provide both patients and physicians the opportunity to incorporate ADCETRIS into additional HL and sALCL treatment settings, said Clay B. Siegall, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Seattle Genetics. The FDAs acceptance of our sBLA submission is an important step towards making ADCETRIS available in the retreatment and extended duration setting, and we look forward to the regulatory outcome.

The sBLA is based on results from a phase 2 clinical trial with two treatment arms. One arm evaluated retreatment with ADCETRIS in patients who previously responded to treatment with ADCETRIS, then discontinued treatment and subsequently had disease progression or relapse. The other arm evaluated extended treatment with ADCETRIS beyond 16 cycles of therapy. The sBLA submission includes updated data sets from this phase 2 trial.

Preliminary data from this trial were previously reported at the 2011 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and at the 2012 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. Highlights include:

Retreatment:

Extended duration of treatment:

ADCETRIS is currently not approved for retreatment and extended duration beyond 16 cycles of therapy in relapsed HL and sALCL.

About Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a general term for a group of cancers that originate in the lymphatic system. There are two major categories of lymphoma: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Hodgkin lymphoma is distinguished from other types of lymphoma by the presence of one characteristic type of cell, known as the Reed-Sternberg cell. The Reed-Sternberg cell generally expresses CD30. Systemic ALCL is an aggressive type of T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that also expresses CD30.

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Seattle Genetics Announces ADCETRIS® (Brentuximab Vedotin) Supplemental BLA Accepted for Filing by the FDA

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FDA accepts Seattle Genetics Adcetris application

BOTHELL, Wash. (AP) -- Drug developer Seattle Genetics Inc. said Tuesday the Food and Drug Administration has accepted its application to market the lymphatic cancer treatment Adcetris for some additional uses.

The Bothell, Wash., company is seeking approval for Adcetris to be used in treating patients who had previously taken the drug, stopped and then saw their disease progress or relapse. It also wants approval for Adcetris to be used in treatments that extend beyond 16 cycles of the therapy.

Seattle Genetics expects the FDA to make a decision by Sept. 14.

The company said research showed that Adcetris was generally tolerated well by patients taking it for retreatment, and nine of 23 patients who could be evaluated saw complete remission. The drug also was tolerated well when used for an extended duration.

Adcetris is the company's only marketed product, and it already is approved to treat two types of lymphoma.

Seattle Genetics shares climbed more than 2 percent, or 86 cents, to $38.19 in Tuesday morning trading, while broader indexes rose slightly. The stock has climbed more than 60 percent so far this year and hit a 52-week high of $39 last month.

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FDA accepts Seattle Genetics Adcetris application

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Interleukin Genetics Reports First Quarter 2013 Financial Results

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Interleukin Genetics,Inc. (ILIU) today issued financial and operational results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013.

Revenue for the quarter ended March31, 2013 was $487,000, compared to $678,000 for the same period in 2012. The decrease is primarily attributable to decreased genetic testing revenue recognized from genetic tests processed as a result of sales through the Amway Global sales channel.

Research and development expenses were $160,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2013, compared to $446,000 for the same period in 2012. The decrease is primarily attributable to lower compensation, consulting and clinical trial costs. In the first quarter of 2013 our Chief Scientific Officer had fully transitioned to his role as Chief Executive Officer and, accordingly, related compensation costs were classified as part of selling, general and administrative expenses in the 2013 period whereas such costs had previously been classified as research and development expenses.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, compared to $1.1 million for the same period in 2012. The decrease is primarily attributable to decreased patent related legal fees and corporate legal and accounting fees as well as lower sales commissions paid to Amway Global as part of our Merchant Channel and Partner Store Agreement partially offset by higher compensation and consulting expenses.

The Company reported a net loss of $1.2 million, or $(0.03) per basic and diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2013, compared to $1.4 million or $(0.04) per basic and diluted common share for the same period in 2012.

As of March31, 2013, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $1.1 million. As of March 31, 2013, the Company had drawn the full $14.3 million under credit facilities with Pyxis Innovations Inc., an affiliate of Alticor. This facility currently becomes due on March 31, 2014.

The Company expects that its current resources are adequate to maintain current and planned operations only through May 31, 2013. The Companys independent registered public accounting firm has included an explanatory paragraph in their opinion in connection with the 2012 audit, relating to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The Company has retained a financial advisor and is actively seeking additional funding. If the Company cannot obtain additional funding on acceptable terms, it may be required to discontinue operations and seek protection under U.S. bankruptcy laws.

The Company will not host a conference call/webcast today, but may determine to host a call and webcast later this month depending on the outcome of its fundraising efforts.

About Interleukin Genetics Interleukin Genetics, Inc. (ILIU) develops and markets a line of genetic tests under the Inherent Health brand. The products empower individuals to prevent certain chronic conditions and manage their existing health and wellness through genetic-based insights with actionable guidance. Interleukin Genetics leverages its research, intellectual property and genetic panel development expertise in metabolism and inflammation to facilitate the emerging personalized healthcare market. The Company markets its tests through partnerships with health and wellness companies, healthcare professionals and other distribution channels. Interleukin Genetics flagship products include its proprietary PST genetic risk panel for periodontal disease and tooth loss susceptibility sold through dentists, and the Inherent Health Weight Management Genetic Test that identifies the most effective diet and exercise program for an individual based on genetics. Interleukin Genetics is headquartered in Waltham, MA and operates an on-site, state-of-the-art DNA testing laboratory certified under the Clinical Laboratories Improvements Act (CLIA). For more information please visit http://www.ilgenetics.com.

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Interleukin Genetics Reports First Quarter 2013 Financial Results

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Atossa Genetics Reports First Quarter 2013 Results and Operating Highlights

SEATTLE, WA--(Marketwired - May 15, 2013) - Atossa Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATOS), the Breast Health Company, today announced its first quarter 2013 financial results and corporate developments.

"The national rollout of our ForeCYTE Breast Health Test is proceeding well and we are pleased with the response we are getting from the physician community and from patients," stated Dr. Steven Quay, chairman, CEO and president. "We were particularly pleased to have completed an agreement with Millennium HealthCare, Inc., which provides primary care physician practices, physician groups and healthcare facilities of all sizes with cutting edge medical devices focused primarily on preventive care through early detection.Millennium has initially submitted an order for 10,000 ForeCYTE Breast Health collection kits for distribution to its network of physicians' offices in the New York Metro area and Northern New Jersey. We anticipate signing up additional distributors this year and continuing to build our internal sales and marketing team."

Corporate Highlights

First Quarter 2013 Financial Results

Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2013, were $182,670, which included $13,440 of product revenue from the sale of MASCT Systems and $169,230 of diagnostic testing service revenue from the ForeCYTE breast health tests. This compares with total revenues of $54,713 for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012. The year-over-year increase in total revenue was driven by the national rollout of the ForeCYTE test in January 2013.

Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2013, was $116,206. This compares to gross profit of $27,709 for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.

Net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, was $1.9 million, or $(0.14) per share, compared with net loss of $1.1 million, or $(0.09) per share, for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012. The increase in net loss was primarily attributable to an increase in general and administrative expense of $963,420, including increased expenses related to the national launch of the ForeCYTE test.

Total operating expenses were $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, consisting of G&A expenses of $1.6 million, selling expenses of $272,575 and research and development expenses of $220,192.This compares to total operating expenses of $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, consisting of G&A expenses of $601,452, selling expenses of $70,435 and research and development expenses of $417,990.The increase in G&A expenses of $963,420, from the first quarter of 2012 to the first quarter of 2013, is attributed to the launch of the Company's MASCT System, ForeCYTE test and ArgusCYTE test and the related growth in expenses to hire additional staff and expand the Company's operations.Atossa expects that its G&A expenses will continue to increase as it adds additional employees and incurs additional costs as a publicly traded company. Additionally, G&A costs are expected to rise as the Company increases headcount to coordinate the production and manufacture of the MASCT System, and the expected increase in service revenue.Selling expenses increased $202,140 from the first quarter of 2012 to the first quarter of 2013 as a result of hiring additional sales and marketing personnel and incurring additional marketing expenses directly and to the Company's distributor for the national launch of the ForeCYTE test.Research and development expenses decreased by $197,798 from the first quarter of 2012 to the first quarter of 2013 as a result of completion of the development of the ForeCYTE test and ArgusCYTE test in 2012 and as a result of Atossa's focus in 2013 on the national launch of ForeCYTE.

At March 31, 2013, Atossa had cash and cash equivalents of $1.4 million.

About Atossa Genetics, Inc.

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Atossa Genetics Reports First Quarter 2013 Results and Operating Highlights

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Senesco Announces Presentation on Combination Therapy with Novel Nanoparticle, SNS01-T, and Bortezomib Results in …

BRIDGEWATER, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Senesco Technologies, Inc. (Senesco or the Company) (OTC QB: SNTI), announced today that a poster presentation will be delivered at the 16th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy. The conference will be held May 15-18th, 2013 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Company will present during the Cancer-Targeted Gene & Cell Therapy: Viral Vector / siRNA-Mediated Therapies Session, which will begin Thursday, May 16, at 4:00 p.m. The poster presentation, entitled Combination Therapy with Novel Nanoparticle, SNS01-T, and Bortezomib Results in Synergistic Cytotoxicity In Vitro and In Vivo in Multiple Myeloma, will be delivered by Catherine Taylor, who is from Senesco CSO John Thompsons research laboratory at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada.

About SNS01-T

SNS01-T is a novel approach to cancer therapy that is designed to selectively trigger apoptosis in B-cell cancers such as multiple myeloma, and, mantle cell and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. Senesco is the sponsor of the Phase 1b/2a study that is actively enrolling patients at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center in Morgantown, WV, and the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, NJ. http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01435720?term=SNS01-T&rank=1

About Senesco Technologies, Inc.

Senesco, a leader in eIF5A technology, is running a clinical study with its lead therapeutic candidate SNS01-T, which targets B-cell cancers by selectively inducing apoptosis by modulating eukaryotic, translation, initiation Factor 5A (eIF5A), which is believed to be an important regulator of cell growth and cell death. Accelerating apoptosis may have applications in treating cancer, while delaying apoptosis may have applications in treating certain inflammatory and ischemic diseases. Senesco has already partnered with leading-edge companies engaged in agricultural biotechnology and biofuels development, and is entitled to earn research and development milestones and royalties if its gene-regulating platform technology is incorporated into its partners products.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ materially from such statements expressed or implied herein as a result of a variety of factors, including, but not limited to: the Companys ability to continue as a going concern; the Companys ability to recruit patients for its clinical trial; the ability of the Company to consummate additional financings; the development of the Companys gene technology; the approval of the Companys patent applications; the successful implementation of the Companys research and development programs and collaborations; the success of the Company's license agreements; the acceptance by the market of the Companys products; the timing and success of the Companys preliminary studies, preclinical research and clinical trials; competition and the timing of projects and trends in future operating performance, the quotation of the Companys common stock on an over-the-counter securities market, as well as other factors expressed from time to time in the Companys periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). As a result, this press release should be read in conjunction with the Companys periodic filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

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Senesco Announces Presentation on Combination Therapy with Novel Nanoparticle, SNS01-T, and Bortezomib Results in ...

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Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy to Host Inaugural Foundation Symposium at the 16th Annual American Society of Gene …

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy, Inc. (ACGT), http://www.acgtfoundation.org, https://twitter.com/acgtfoundation, and https://www.facebook.com/acgtfoundation, today announced that it will be hosting an inaugural Foundation Symposium Gene and Cell Therapy For Cancer on Thursday, May 16, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Ballroom B, at the 16th Annual American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy Meeting, May 15-18, Salt Palace Convention Center, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Symposium will be co-chaired by Xandra O. Breakefield, PhD, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Savio L.C. Woo, PhD, Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

This ACGT-sponsored Symposium will present state-of-the-art lectures by leading investigators in four exceptionally promising areas of scientific research and translational development in gene and cell therapies for cancer. Over the past decade, the power of gene and cell therapies has been harnessed into novel bio-therapeutics for the treatment of many different cancers that are both effective and safe.

We are honored to partner with ASGCT and to feature some of the worlds most renowned scientists, physicians and researchers in the field of cell and gene therapy, said Barbara Netter, ACGT President and Co-Founder.

Speakers and Topics Include:

ACGT is the only not-for-profit in the U.S. dedicated solely to cancer cell and gene therapies for all types of cancer. 100% of contributions go directly to research. ACGT has funded 41 grants from public donations since its founding in 2001 totaling almost $25 million for both basic research and clinical translation. Seventeen ACGT funded research projects have been approved for human clinical trials, 11 of which are underway. To donate, please visit http://www.acgtfoundation.org or call 203.358.8000.

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Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy to Host Inaugural Foundation Symposium at the 16th Annual American Society of Gene ...

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Jago Punjab – Spinal Cord Injury


Jago Punjab - Spinal Cord Injury Physiotherapy - 13 May 2013
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Two approaches to stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis – Video


Two approaches to stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis
http://www.stemcellsarthritistreatment.com There are two potential approaches of stem cell-based cartilage repair and regeneration. The first is ex vivo cart...

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Stanford: treatment delays multiple sclerosis onset in mice

Researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine discovered that blocking the expression of a single protein in the brains of mice with a form of multiple sclerosis can delay its effects, including paralysis.

The protein, SIRT1, helps to produce the cells that make the protective myelin coating needed to transmit nerve signals in the brain. Autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis damage this coating, impeding communication between nerve cells.

"We are excited by the potential implications our study has on demyelinating diseases and injuries," said Anne Brunet, associate professor of genetics at Stanford and the senior author of the research. "It's intriguing because activating SIRT1 is typically considered to be beneficial for metabolism and health, but in this case, inactivating SIRT1 can provide protection against a demyelinating injury."

The process works by developing neural stem cells in the brain into another type of cell, called an oligodendrocyte precursors. Mature oligodendrocytes wrap neurons' arms with protective myelin, helping transmit electrical impulses from one cell to another.

Brunet and her team began by injecting a lab mouse with a drug called tamoxifen, which can effectively turn the SIRT1 gene off in neural stem cells.

Over time, nerve stem cells in which SIRT1 expression had been blocked began to make proteins that looked like typical oligodendrocyte precursor cells. The lack of SIRT1 activity increased the production of cells that express oligodendrocyte-specific protein makers.

When the researchers injected normal mice and those with blocked SIRT1 expression with a compound that causes the demyelination of nerve cells just as multiple sclerosis does, the SIRT1-blocked mice had quicker recoveries than the normal mice. They were also protected for a time from the paralysis that comes after the onset of multiple sclerosis.

"Our study highlights the possibility of pharmacological manipulation of multiple nodes of the pathway to expand the population of oligodendrocyte precursors," Brunet said. "Approaches such as these could have important implications for regenerative medicine."

The research was published online May 5 in Nature Cell Biology, a journal that publishes cell-related research and papers.

The research was supported by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the National Institutes of Health, a grant from the American Federation for Aging Research, a National Brain Tumor Society grant, the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research, the National Science Foundation, the Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

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Stanford: treatment delays multiple sclerosis onset in mice

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NeoStem's Subsidiary, Progenitor Cell Therapy, to Provide Autologous and Allogeneic Cellular Therapy Services to …

ALLENDALE, N.J. and WASHINGTON, May 13, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NeoStem, Inc. (NYSE MKT:NBS), a leader in the emerging cellular therapy industry, and its subsidiary, Progenitor Cell Therapy, LLC ("PCT"), an internationally recognized contract development and manufacturing organization, announced today that PCT has entered into a Cell Therapy Processing Customer Agreement with MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. to provide autologous and allogeneic cellular therapy services for cellular products provided by MedStar Georgetown University Hospital ("MGUH") and deliver resulting cellular therapy products to MGUH for patient care.

In April, Georgetown's Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, and the John Theurer Cancer Center, part of Hackensack University Medical Center ("HackensackUMC") in Hackensack, N.J., announced the establishment of an oncology affiliation arrangement between them to enhance patient access to innovative clinical trials, and is a significant step towards developing a clinical, translational and basic science cancer research consortium.

In its agreement with PCT, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital will use the services of PCT for processing and storage of peripheral blood progenitor cells, donor leukocytes, bone marrow and cord blood, as well as requested assaying and storage of cellular therapy product, and retrieval and transportation logistics.

"Akin to our relationship with HackensackUMC, whose engagement of PCT began over thirteen years ago, we look forward to developing a strong association with Georgetown," said Robert A. Preti, Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer of PCT. "Our agreements with HackensackUMC and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital enable us to continue to play a vital part in patient care for cancers and other hematologic disorders, and to continue to provide cell products to our entire client base. Since its founding, PCT has provided cell therapy products for infusion into over 6,000 patients."

Dr. Robin L. Smith, NeoStem's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated that, "NeoStem is committed to supporting and enabling the development of emerging cell therapy products. We, as well as our clients, are developing innovative therapies using the cells of our body to treat chronic diseases such as cancers, autoimmune conditions and cardiovascular disease. We are thrilled to be working with prestigious institutions such as MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and HackensackUMC to support their bone marrow transplant programs. PCT's exceptional client retention rate validates the management's commitment to Quality and Service as we look forward to future growth with our clients outside of the United States."

The Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital is the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region's only comprehensive cancer center, a designation from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) demonstrating its scientific excellence and the capability to integrate multi-disciplinary, collaborative research approaches to focus on the problem of cancer.

The John Theurer Cancer Center at HackensackUMC is a nationally renowned, award-winning cancer center with a strong clinical program of excellence. HackensackUMC is ranked among the 50 best hospitals in the United States and the John Theurer Cancer Center is the highest ranked cancer center in New Jersey in the 2012-13 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals ranking.

About John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center

John Theurer Cancer Center at HackensackUMC is New Jersey's largest and most comprehensive cancer center dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, management, research, screenings, preventive care, as well as survivorship of patients with all types of cancer.

Each year, more people in the New Jersey/New York metropolitan area turn to the John Theurer Cancer Center for cancer care than to any other facility in New Jersey. The 14 specialized divisions feature a team of medical, research, nursing and support staff with specialized expertise that translates into more advanced and focused care for all patients. The John Theurer Cancer Center provides comprehensive multidisciplinary care, state of the art technology, access to clinical trials, compassionate care and medical expertiseall under one roof. Physicians at the John Theurer Cancer Center are members of Regional Cancer Care Associates, one of the nation's largest professional hematology/oncology groups. For more information please visit jtcancercenter.org.

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NeoStem's Subsidiary, Progenitor Cell Therapy, to Provide Autologous and Allogeneic Cellular Therapy Services to ...

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Circadian clock gene rhythms in brain altered in depression, UC Irvine Health study finds

Public release date: 13-May-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Tom Vasich tmvasich@uci.edu 949-824-6455 University of California - Irvine

UC Irvine Health researchers have helped discover that genes controlling circadian clock rhythms are profoundly altered in the brains of people with severe depression. These clock genes regulate 24-hour circadian rhythms affecting hormonal, body temperature, sleep and behavioral patterns.

Depression is a serious disorder with a high risk for suicide affecting approximately one in 10 Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control, and is ranked as fourth of all diseases by the World Health Organization in terms of lifetime disability. Study findings provide the first evidence of altered circadian gene rhythms in brain tissue of people with depression and suggest a physical basis for many of the symptoms that depressed patients report.

The study which appears online this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences involved researchers from UC Irvine Health, University of Michigan, UC Davis, Cornell University, the Hudson Alpha Institute for Biotechnology and Stanford University.

"Our findings involved the analysis of a large amount of data involving 12,000 gene transcripts obtained from donated brain tissue from depressed and normal people. We were amazed that our data revealed that clock gene rhythms varied in synchrony across six regions of normal human brain and that these rhythms were significantly disrupted in depressed patients. The findings provide clues for potential new classes of compounds to rapidly treat depression that may reset abnormal clock genes and normalize circadian rhythms," said Dr. William Bunney, Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry & Human Behavior at UC Irvine, and the study's senior author.

Circadian clock genes play an important role in regulating many body rhythms over a 24-hour cycle. Although animal data provide evidence for the circadian expression of genes in brain, little has been known as to whether there is a similar rhythmicity in human brain.

In the study, the researchers analyzed genome-wide gene expression patterns in brain samples from 55 individuals with no history of psychiatric or neurological illness and compared them to the expression patterns in samples from 34 severely depressed patients.

The investigators isolated multiple RNA samples from six regions of each brain and arranged the gene expression data around a 24-hour cycle based on time of death. Several hundred genes in each of six brain regions displayed rhythmic patterns of expression over the 24-hour cycle, including many genes essential to the body's circadian machinery.

In the end, they had a near-complete understanding of how gene activity varied throughout the day in the cells of the six brain regions they studied.

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Circadian clock gene rhythms in brain altered in depression, UC Irvine Health study finds

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Out of Sync: Body Clocks Altered at Cell Level in Depression

Finding of disrupted brain gene orchestration gives first direct evidence of circadian rhythm changes in depressed brains, opens door to better treatment

Newswise ANN ARBOR, Mich. Every cell in our bodies runs on a 24-hour clock, tuned to the night-day, light-dark cycles that have ruled us since the dawn of humanity. The brain acts as timekeeper, keeping the cellular clock in sync with the outside world so that it can govern our appetites, sleep, moods and much more.

But new research shows that the clock may be broken in the brains of people with depression -- even at the level of the gene activity inside their brain cells.

Its the first direct evidence of altered circadian rhythms in the brain of people with depression, and shows that they operate out of sync with the usual ingrained daily cycle. The findings, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, come from scientists from the University of Michigan Medical School and other institutions.

The discovery was made by sifting through massive amounts of data gleaned from donated brains of depressed and non-depressed people. With further research, the findings could lead to more precise diagnosis and treatment for a condition that affects more than 350 million people worldwide.

Whats more, the research also reveals a previously unknown daily rhythm to the activity of many genes across many areas of the brain expanding the sense of how crucial our master clock is.

In a normal brain, the pattern of gene activity at a given time of the day is so distinctive that the authors could use it to accurately estimate the hour of death of the brain donor, suggesting that studying this stopped clock could conceivably be useful in forensics. By contrast, in severely depressed patients, the circadian clock was so disrupted that a patients day pattern of gene activity could look like a night pattern -- and vice versa.

The work was funded in large part by the Pritzker Neuropsychiatric Disorders Research Fund, and involved researchers from the University of Michigan, University of Californias Irvine and Davis campuses, Weill Cornell Medical College, the Hudson Alpha Institute for Biotechnology, and Stanford University.

The team uses material from donated brains obtained shortly after death, along with extensive clinical information about the individual. Numerous regions of each brain are dissected by hand or even with lasers that can capture more specialized cell types, then analyzed to measure gene activity. The resulting flood of information is picked apart with advanced data-mining tools.

Lead author Jun Li, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the U-M Department of Human Genetics, describes how this approach allowed the team to accurately back-predict the hour of the day when each non-depressed individual died literally plotting them out on a 24-hour clock by noting which genes were active at the time they died. They looked at 12,000 gene transcripts isolated from six regions of 55 brains from people who did not have depression.

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Out of Sync: Body Clocks Altered at Cell Level in Depression

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