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Can new diagnostic approaches help assess brain function in unconscious, brain-injured patients?

Public release date: 9-May-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

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

New Rochelle, NY, May 9, 2012Disorders of consciousness such as coma or a vegetative state caused by severe brain injury are poorly understood and their diagnosis has relied mainly on patient responses and measures of brain activity. However, new functional and imaging-based diagnostic tests that measure communication and signaling between different brain regions may provide valuable information about the potential for consciousness in patients unable to communicate. These innovative approaches are described and compared in a Review article in the groundbreaking neuroscience journal Brain Connectivity, a bimonthly peer-reviewed publication from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article is available free on the Brain Connectivity website at http://www.liebertpub.com/brain.

Mlanie Boly and coauthors from University of Lige (Belgium), University of Milan (Italy), and University College London (UK) compare the benefits and limitations of three methods for studying the dynamics of brain communication and connectivity in response to internal and external stimulation: functional magnetic resonance imaging f(MRI); transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) combined with electroencephalograpy (EEG); and response to neuronal perturbation, measuring, for example, sensory evoked potentials (ERP). They report their findings and propose future research directions in the article "Brain Connectivity in Disorders of Consciousness."

"In recent years, there has been a tremendous interest in gaining a better understanding of the various disorders of consciousness. A variety of methods including fMRI and PET have been used to study these disorders," says Bharat Biswal, PhD, Co-Editor-in-Chief of Brain Connectivity and Associate Professor, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. "This article provides a comprehensive analysis using three new and innovative methods to study disorders of consciousness."

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About the Journal

Brain Connectivity is the journal of record for researchers and clinicians interested in all aspects of brain connectivity. The Journal is under the leadership of Founding and Co-Editors-in-Chief Christopher Pawela, PhD, Assistant Professor, Medical College of Wisconsin, and Bharat Biswal, PhD. It includes original peer-reviewed papers, review articles, point-counterpoint discussions on controversies in the field, and a product/technology review section. To ensure that scientific findings are rapidly disseminated, articles are published Instant Online within 72 hours of acceptance, with fully typeset, fast-track publication within 4 weeks. Tables of content and a sample issue may be viewed on the Brain Connectivity website at http://www.liebertpub.com/brain.

About the Publisher

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 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 Tissue Engineering, Human Gene Therapy and HGT Methods, and Rejuvenation Research. 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, newsmagazines, and books is available on the Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. website at http://www.liebertpub.com.

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Can new diagnostic approaches help assess brain function in unconscious, brain-injured patients?

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Genetic packing: Successful stem cell differentiation requires DNA compaction, study finds

Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of sections of wild-type (top row) and H1 triple-knockout (bottom row) embryoid bodies. After 14 days in rotary suspension culture, the wild-type embryoid bodies showed more differentiated morphologies with cysts forming (black arrows) and the knockout embryoid bodies failed to form cavities (far right). (Credit: Yuhong Fan)

(Phys.org) -- New research findings show that embryonic stem cells unable to fully compact the DNA inside them cannot complete their primary task: differentiation into specific cell types that give rise to the various types of tissues and structures in the body.

Researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University found that chromatin compaction is required for proper embryonic stem cell differentiation to occur. Chromatin, which is composed of histone proteins and DNA, packages DNA into a smaller volume so that it fits inside a cell.

A study published on May 10, 2012 in the journal PLoS Genetics found that embryonic stem cells lacking several histone H1 subtypes and exhibiting reduced chromatin compaction suffered from impaired differentiation under multiple scenarios and demonstrated inefficiency in silencing genes that must be suppressed to induce differentiation.

While researchers have observed that embryonic stem cells exhibit a relaxed, open chromatin structure and differentiated cells exhibit a compact chromatin structure, our study is the first to show that this compaction is not a mere consequence of the differentiation process but is instead a necessity for differentiation to proceed normally, said Yuhong Fan, an assistant professor in the Georgia Tech School of Biology.

Fan and Todd McDevitt, an associate professor in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University, led the study with assistance from Georgia Tech graduate students Yunzhe Zhang and Kaixiang Cao, research technician Marissa Cooke, and postdoctoral fellow Shiraj Panjwani.

The work was supported by the National Institutes of Healths National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), the National Science Foundation, a Georgia Cancer Coalition Distinguished Scholar Award, and a Johnson & Johnson/Georgia Tech Healthcare Innovation Award.

Enlarge

Phase contrast images showing that H1 triple-knockout (bottom) embryonic stem cells were unable to adequately form neurites and neural networks compared to wild-type embryonic stem cells (top). (Click image for high-resolution version. Credit: Yuhong Fan)

Enlarge

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New under the sun: Recurrent genetic mutations in melanoma

Public release date: 9-May-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Nicole Davis ndavis@broadinstitute.org 617-714-7152 Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

Melanoma the deadliest and most aggressive form of skin cancer has long been linked to time spent in the sun. Now a team led by scientists from the Broad Institute and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has sequenced the whole genomes of 25 metastatic melanoma tumors, confirming the role of chronic sun exposure and revealing new genetic changes important in tumor formation.

In an article published online May 9 in Nature, the authors provide the first high-resolution view of the genomic landscape of human melanoma tumors. Previous genetic analyses have focused on the exomes of many types of cancer tumors, concentrating on the tiny fraction of the genome that provides the genetic code for producing proteins. Whole genomes contain a wealth of genetic information, and by sequencing and analyzing 25 metastatic melanoma tumors a significant technical and computational feat scientists can learn vastly more about the variety of genetic alterations that matter in melanoma.

"Sequencing the whole genome certainly adds a richness of discovery that can't be fully captured with a whole exome," said Levi A. Garraway, a senior associate member of the Broad Institute, an associate professor at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, and co-senior author of the paper.

"By looking across the entire genome you can more accurately determine the background mutation rate and the different classes of mutations, and more confidently describe the pattern of ultraviolet-induced mutagenesis in melanoma," said Michael F. Berger, co-first author of the paper. He worked in the Broad's cancer genome analysis group and with Garraway as a research scientist and computational biologist before moving to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

When the scientists explored the whole genome data generated and analyzed at the Broad, they found that the rates of genetic mutations rose along with chronic sun exposure in patients, confirming the role of sun damage in disease development.

"Whole-genome analysis of human melanoma tumors shows for the first time the existence of many structural rearrangements in this tumor type," said Lynda Chin, a senior associate member of the Broad and co-senior author of the paper. Formerly at Dana-Farber and Harvard Medical School, she is now chair of the Department of Genomic Medicine at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

As expected, the scientists detected known BRAF and NRAS mutations in 24 of the 25 tumors. Both genes are involved in sending signals important in cell growth.

One other gene leaped out: PREX2, previously implicated in breast cancer for blocking a tumor-suppressor pathway, was altered in 44 percent of patients. In a larger validation cohort of 107 tumors, the frequency of the mutation was 14 percent.

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New under the sun: Recurrent genetic mutations in melanoma

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Genetic predictor of breast cancer response to chemotherapy

Public release date: 10-May-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Dr. Hilary Glover hilary.glover@biomedcentral.com 44-020-319-22370 BioMed Central

Chemotherapy is a major first line defense against breast cancer. However a patient's response is often variable and unpredictable. A study published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Medical Genomics shows that 'gene expression signatures' for TOP2A and -tubulin can be used to predict the outcome of chemotherapy.

The goal of personalized medicine in cancer treatment is to target therapy to the characteristics of the individual tumor. For example Herceptin treatment is of most benefit to patients whose cancer is driven by HER2 and antiestrogens benefit patients whose breast cancer is hormonally driven. Gene signatures are increasingly available for different cancer types and can be used to predict patient prognosis.

Researchers from McMaster University, in association with the Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Center, analyzed the expression of the enzyme TOP2A (DNA topoisomerase) and -tubulin, which are the targets of commonly used chemotherapy drugs (anthracycline and taxane) in hundreds of breast tumors. Combining the results from the tumor samples analyses allowed the researchers to build gene expression 'signatures' that measure the susceptibility of tumor cells to chemotherapy.

Both of the 'signatures' were separately able to predict which patients achieved a complete response (where invasive or metastatic cancer could no longer be detected) and together the two indices together were even more accurate at predicting response to chemotherapy.

Prof John Hassell, who led this study, commented, " Our results clearly demonstrate the practicality of using gene expression to personalize chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer patients. Identifying patients who will not benefit from a specific treatment means that they can be moved to a different treatment plan, and the earlier appropriate treatment is started the more likely it is that the patients will benefit from it."

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Media Contact Dr Hilary Glover Scientific Press Officer, BioMed Central Tel: +44 (0) 20 3192 2370 Mob: +44 (0) 778 698 1967 Email: hilary.glover@biomedcentral.com

Notes to Editors

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Genetic predictor of breast cancer response to chemotherapy

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Why Seattle Genetics Shares Dropped Then Rallied

By Sean Williams | More Articles May 9, 2012 |

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

What: Shares of biotech company Seattle Genetics (Nasdaq: SGEN) have had a wild ride this morning following its first-quarter earnings results. After being down 10% early in the trading session, shares are up more than 2% as of this writing.

So what: For the quarter, Seattle Genetics reported a near-quadrupling in sales to $48.2 million as the company sold $34.5 million worth of its cancer drug Adcetris, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in August for the treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma and systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Its quarterly loss came in at $0.11 per share. Although the loss met Wall Street's estimates, sales estimates for Adcetris fell about $3 million shy of the consensus. For the year, Seattle Genetics forecast Adcetris sales of $140 million-$150 million and collaboration/licensing revenue of $55 million-$65 million.

Now what: Despite the sales miss, RBC Capital told investors this morning that any dip in Seattle Genetics shares is a buying opportunity, as it expects the company to report positive data at the ASCO conference. That may be partly responsible for the strength in its share price since it opened significantly lower this morning. As for me, I see Seattle Genetics as largely range-bound until it can produce that elusive quarterly profit.

Craving more input? Start by adding Seattle Genetics to your free and personalized watchlist so you can keep up on the latest news with the company.

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Why Seattle Genetics Shares Dropped Then Rallied

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Response Genetics, Inc. Announces First Quarter Financial Results

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Response Genetics Inc. (Nasdaq:RGDX - News), (the Company), a company focused on the development and sale of molecular diagnostic tests for cancer, today announced its consolidated financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012.

Total revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 were $4.0 million, compared to $5.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 was largely as a result of the expected decrease in pharmaceutical client revenue. The Companys ResponseDX revenue decreased slightly to $3.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, compared to $3.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

The Companys first quarter 2012 net loss increased compared to the first quarter of 2011, while the sequential net loss decreased for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. Net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 was $3.1 million, compared with a net loss of $0.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 and net loss of $3.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2011.

Cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2012, were $5.7 million, compared to $1.7 million at December 31, 2011.

In the first quarter of 2012 we accomplished what needed to be done first we strengthened our balance sheet when we raised $7.8 million of cash, said Thomas Bologna, the Companys recently appointed Chairman & Chief Executive Officer. We also began implementing programs to put our company on the right track and took action to recover from the transition that the Company faced in 201l. While we appreciate that it will take time to achieve the results that we fully expect to deliver to our shareholders, we believe we are making good progress on what needs to be done and putting the team in place to make it happen. We believe our company is in the right space and we have the foundation and wherewithal to capitalize on our strengths and the opportunities in front of us.

Excluding cost of revenue, total operating expenses for the first quarter were $4.4 million, compared to $3.5 million for the same period last year. The increase in total operating expenses of $0.9 million was due to an increase in general and administrative expenses of $0.5 million and research and development expenses of $0.4 million.

The increase in general and administrative expenses was a result of an increase of $0.2 million in stock based compensation expense, $0.1 million in bad debt expense, $0.1 million in consulting expense, $0.1 million of equipment/maintenance expense and $0.1 million in legal fees, offset by a decrease in business tax of $0.1 million.

The increase in research and development expenses was due to an increase in personnel expenses and associated laboratory supplies and reagents related to increased research and development activity.

CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS

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Response Genetics, Inc. Announces First Quarter Financial Results

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Seattle Genetics Announces Data from Investigator Trial of ADCETRIS™ in Relapsed Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma

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

Seattle Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGEN - News) today announced that interim results from an investigator-sponsored phase II clinical trial of ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) in patients with relapsed cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) were presented at the Society for Investigative Dermatology annual meeting being held May 9-12, 2012 in Raleigh, NC. ADCETRIS is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) directed to CD30. ADCETRIS has not been approved for use in CTCL.

The trial enrolled CTCL patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) or Sezary syndrome. At the time of data analysis, 17 patients had been enrolled, including 16 with MF and one with Sezary syndrome. Patients had received a median of six prior therapies, including a median of four prior systemic therapies. The primary endpoint of the trial is clinical response rate. Secondary endpoints include correlation of clinical response with CD30 expression levels, duration of response, progression-free survival and safety. The study is led by principal investigator Dr. Youn H. Kim, Professor, Department of Dermatology, and Director, Multidisciplinary Cutaneous Lymphoma Program at Stanford University School of Medicine in Stanford, CA. Key findings include:

This is the second data set reported with ADCETRIS in CTCL patients. At the T-Cell Lymphoma Forum in January 2012, interim data were presented from a phase II investigator-sponsored trial in CD30-positive CTCL patients, including lymphomatoid papulosis, primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (pcALCL) or MF. In the trial, which is being conducted by Dr. Madeleine Duvic at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 11 of 17 evaluable patients (65 percent) achieved an objective response, including seven complete remissions (CRs) and four partial remissions (PRs). The most common adverse events were Grade 1, including diarrhea, chest tightness, alopecia, nausea, elevated liver enzymes and peripheral neuropathy.

Seattle Genetics and Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company recently initiated a randomized phase III clinical trial of ADCETRIS for relapsed CD30-positive CTCL patients. The trial will assess ADCETRIS versus investigators choice of methotrexate or bexarotene in patients with CD30-positive CTCL, including those with pcALCL or MF. The primary endpoint of the study is overall response rate lasting at least 4 months. Approximately 124 patients will be enrolled in the pivotal trial. The phase III trial is being conducted under a Special Protocol Assessment agreement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The study also received European Medicines Agency scientific advice.

About CTCL

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. Cutaneous lymphomas are a category of non-Hodgkin lymphomas that primarily involve the skin. According to the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation, CTCL is the most common type of cutaneous lymphoma and typically presents with red, scaly patches or thickened plaques of skin that often mimic eczema or chronic dermatitis. Progression from limited skin involvement is variable and may be accompanied by tumor formation, ulceration and exfoliation, complicated by itching and infections. Advanced stages are defined by involvement of lymph nodes, peripheral blood and internal organs. According to published literature, up to 50 percent of CTCL patients lesions express CD30.

About ADCETRIS

ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) is an ADC comprising an anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody attached by a protease-cleavable linker to a microtubule disrupting agent, monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), utilizing Seattle Genetics proprietary technology. The ADC employs a linker system that is designed to be stable in the bloodstream but to release MMAE upon internalization into CD30-expressing tumor cells.

ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) received accelerated approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for two indications: (1) the treatment of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma after failure of autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) or after failure of at least two prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimens in patients who are not ASCT candidates, and (2) the treatment of patients with systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL) after failure of at least one prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimen. The indications for ADCETRIS are based on response rate. There are no data available demonstrating improvement in patient-reported outcomes or survival with ADCETRIS.

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Seattle Genetics Announces Data from Investigator Trial of ADCETRIS™ in Relapsed Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma

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NewLink Genetics Corporation Reports First Quarter 2012 Financial Results

AMES, Iowa, May 10, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NewLink Genetics Corporation (Nasdaq:NLNK - News), a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing cancer therapeutics, today reported consolidated financial results for the first quarter of 2012, and provided an update on the progress of its clinical development programs.

"During the first quarter of 2012 we continued to advance our pivotal trial in pancreatic cancer and are also moving forward on a number of other HyperAcute immunotherapy development programs including those to treat melanoma and lung and kidney cancers," commented Dr. Charles Link, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NewLink. "We also made strides in our IDO pathway inhibitor program and are looking forward to presenting new data for a number of these programs at both DDW and ASCO. We believe that the receipt of patent allowances in both of our core programs will also facilitate our business development activities."

First quarter 2012 Financial Results

Financial Guidance

NewLink is maintaining its financial guidance and continues to expect to end 2012 with about $20 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. NewLink continues to anticipate that this capital should allow it to fund its operations through 2013 based on its current operating plans.

2012 Key Accomplishments to Date

Upcoming Activities

NewLink expects to present at the following investor conferences:

NewLink expects to present at the following oncology and pharmacology meetings:

About NewLink Genetics Corporation

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NewLink Genetics Corporation Reports First Quarter 2012 Financial Results

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

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

Seattle Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ:SGEN - News) announced today that management will present at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2012 Health Care Conference on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time. The presentation will be webcast live and available for replay from Seattle Genetics website at http://www.seattlegenetics.com in the Investors and News section.

About Seattle Genetics

Seattle Genetics is a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of monoclonal antibody-based therapies for the treatment of cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval of ADCETRIS in August 2011 for two indications. ADCETRIS is being developed in collaboration with Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company. In addition, Seattle Genetics has three other clinical-stage antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) programs: SGN-75, ASG-5ME and ASG-22ME. Seattle Genetics has collaborations for its ADC technology with a number of leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, including Abbott, Bayer, Celldex Therapeutics, Daiichi Sankyo, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Millennium, Pfizer and Progenics, as well as ADC co-development agreements with Agensys, an affiliate of Astellas, and Genmab. More information can be found at http://www.seattlegenetics.com.

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

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Interleukin Genetics Reports First Quarter 2012 Financial Results

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

Interleukin Genetics,Inc. (OTCQB: ILIU.PK - News) today announced financial and operational results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012.

Total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was $678,000, compared to $719,000 for the same period in the prior year. The decrease was attributable to lower genetic test revenue.

Research and development expenses were $446,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to $305,000 for the same period in the prior year. The Company continues its work in its weight management and periodontal disease programs.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to $1.2 million for the same period in the prior year. The decrease was primarily attributable to decreased corporate professional fees and patent-related legal fees offset in part by increased compensation, consulting and sales commissions paid to Amway.

The Company reported a net loss of $1.4 million, or $(0.04) per basic and diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2012, compared to a loss of $1.3 million, or $(0.03) per basic and diluted share, for the same period in the prior year. On March 31, 2012, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $732,000 and had $1.3 million available under its credit facility with Pyxis Innovations, Inc.

The Company expects that its current and anticipated financial resources, including the $1.3 million available as of March 31, 2012 under the credit facility, which was borrowed on April 13, 2012, are adequate to maintain current and planned operations at least through June 30, 2012. The Companys independent registered public accounting firm has included an explanatory paragraph in their opinion in connection with the 2011 audit, relating to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.

While recognized genetic test revenue this quarter was lower than last years for this corresponding quarter, our deferred revenue increased by over 35% or more than $300,000 in this quarter indicating that unit test sales are continuing to grow nicely, said Lewis H. Bender, Chief Executive Officer of Interleukin Genetics. In addition, enrollment in our clinical study in collaboration with Renaissance Health and the University of Michigan to demonstrate the utility of using our PST genetic test in the management of dental patients was completed and we successfully delivered 5,186 genotypes to the University thereby completing our portion of the program.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Interleukin Genetics will host a live conference call and webcast today at 4:30 p.m. EDT to review the Companys new business developments and first quarter financial results. To access the live call, dial 877-324-1976 (domestic) or 631-291-4550 (international). The live webcast and replay access will be available on the Investors section of the Companys Website at: http://www.ilgenetics.com.

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Penn researchers report a gene-therapy success

The study involved painstaking molecular analysis of blood samples taken annually from the patients, who participated in separate studies begun in 2000, 2002, and 2004.

"We were astonished that we could detect the modified cells for so long. It's a relatively small number of patients, but more than 500 years of patient data," said University of Pennsylvania pathologist Bruce Levine, a leader of the research. "But it's difficult to separate with certainty the effectiveness of this treatment from the antiretrovirals."

Gene therapy harnesses the insidious ability of viruses to slip their DNA into the cells they infect. By neutralizing a virus and then using it as a "vector" to insert DNA that is helpful rather than harmful, gene therapy can theoretically treat ailments ranging from arthritis to infections and cancer.

Levine, his Penn colleague Carl June, and their team have tested a variety of ways to outwit HIV with gene therapy. Their approach has focused on T cells, which are the big guns of the immune system but also the cells that HIV infects. The researchers took some of the patients' T cells and inserted a gene that makes them better at recognizing and killing HIV-infected cells. Then these super-T cells were multiplied using growth-stimulation technology and put back into the patient.

Over the years, many other research groups have tried using modified T cells, but the patient's immune system perceived them as invaders and wiped them out, sometimes within hours.

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Penn researchers report a gene-therapy success

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Julio C. Voltarelli, Pioneer in Cell Transplantation, Dies at 63

Dr. Julio C. Voltarelli, who made a significant impact in cell transplantation, dies at 63

Distinguished Brazilian professor pioneered bone marrow transplantation

Newswise Tampa, Fla. (May. 9th , 2012) Julio C. Voltarelli, MD, PhD, professor at the Ribeiro Preto School of Medicine at the University of So Paulo, Brazil, died March 21, 2012 at the age of 63. Dr. Voltarelli, who was on the editorial board of the Cell Transplantation journal, published by Cognizant Communication Corporation, and an important factor in the journals success, was a distinguished stem cell researcher and head of the bone marrow transplantation unit at the Ribeiro Preto School of Medicine.

Dr. Voltarelli had a significant impact on Brazilian stem cell transplantation science, said Dr. Maria C. O. Rodrigues, Dr. Voltarellis longtime colleague. He was driven to bring the benefits of the newest cellular therapies to those with ALS, MS and type 1 diabetes. His efforts and dedication will be greatly missed.

Dr. Voltarelli, a graduate of the Ribeiro Preto School of Medicine, served post-doctoral fellowships at the University of California San Francisco, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, and the Scripps Research Institute in San Diego. He returned to Brazil in 1992 and started a highly ranked bone marrow transplantation program at the Ribeiro Preto School of Medicine. In 2002, Dr. Voltarelli initiated the schools research efforts in stem cell transplantation for autoimmune diseases, later focusing on diabetes, graft-versus-host disease and sickle cell anemia.

At the time of his death, Dr. Voltarelli, in addition to serving as head of the bone marrow transplantation unit, also served as research coordinator for the Center for Cellular Therapy at the So Paulo Research Foundation and the National Institute of Science and Technology in Stem Cells and Cell Therapy. He was recently elected president of the Brazilian Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation.

His publications included the first books on stem cell transplantation and clinical immunology written in Portuguese. He also founded the Brazilian Society of Stem Cell Transplantation.

His colleagues in Brazil called his lifelong contributions priceless and remembered him for his leadership skills, vision, and sense of humor.

# The Coeditor-in-chiefs for CELL TRANSPLANTATION are at the Center for Neuropsychiatry, China Medical University Hospital, TaiChung, Taiwan, and the Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Contact, Shinn-Zong Lin, MD, PhD at shinnzong@yahoo.com.tw or Camillo Ricordi, MD at ricordi@miami.edu or David Eve, PhD at celltransplantation@gmail.com #

News release by Florida Science Communications http://www.sciencescribe.net

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Julio C. Voltarelli, Pioneer in Cell Transplantation, Dies at 63

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Regenerative medicine: Could the ways animals regenerate hair and feathers help restore human fingers and toes?

ScienceDaily (May 10, 2012) This summer's action film, "The Amazing Spider-Man," is another match-up between the superhero and his nemesis the Lizard. Moviegoers and comic book fans alike will recall that the villain, AKA Dr. Curt Connors, was a surgeon who, after losing an arm, experimented with cell generation and reptilian DNA and was eventually able to grow back his missing limb.

The latest issue of the journal Physiology contains a review article that looks at possible routes that unlock cellular regeneration in general, and the principles by which hair and feathers regenerate themselves in particular.

The authors apply what is currently known about regenerative biology to the emerging field of regenerative medicine, which is being transformed from fantasy to reality.

Review Article

While the concept of regenerative medicine is relatively new, animals are well known to remake their hair and feathers regularly by normal regenerative physiological processes. In their review, the authors focus on (1) how extrafollicular environments can regulate hair and feather stem cell activities and (2) how different configurations of stem cells can shape organ forms in different body regions to fulfill changing physiological needs.

The review outlines previous research on the role of normal regeneration of hair and feathers throughout the lifespan of various birds and mammals. The researchers include what is currently known about the mechanism behind this re-growth, as well as what gaps still exist in the knowledge base and remain ripe for future research.

The review examines dozens of papers on normal "physiological regeneration" -- the re-growth that happens over the course of an animal's life and not in response to an injury. This regeneration takes place to accommodate different stages in an animal's life (e.g., replacing downy chick feathers with an adult chicken's, or replacing the fine facial hair of a young boy with the budding beard of an adolescent), or in response to various environmental conditions (e.g., cats shedding a thick winter coat in the summer heat but re-growing it when the seasons change again, or snowshoe hares switching from brown in the summer to white in the winter for camouflage).

These changes seem to respond both to internal cues such as physiology of the hair follicle itself, or external cues such as the environment, but the mechanisms behind these normal alterations are largely unknown. Stem cells inside the follicle prompt hair and feather regeneration, but researchers are still unsure how to guide those cells to form the shape, size, and orientation of these "skin appendages" so that controlled re-growth is possible. Additionally, scientists are still unsure how to re-grow hair on skin in people after severe injuries that lead to scar tissue.

Importance of the Findings

The reviewed studies suggest that while researchers are making headway in understanding how and why hair and feathers regenerate after normal loss or in response to different life stages, much still remains unknown. This missing knowledge could hold valuable clues to learning how to regenerate much more complicated and valuable structures after loss to injury, such as fingers and toes.

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Regenerative medicine: Could the ways animals regenerate hair and feathers help restore human fingers and toes?

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Study Identifies Cell Subtypes For Potential Personalized Cellular Therapies

Connie K. Ho for RedOrbit.com

A new study by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has discovered two adult stem cell-like subpopulations in adult human skin.

The findings allow for further research to be done in the area of personalized medicine and patient-specific cellular therapies.

The study, using technology from Fibrocell Science, allowed the researchers to identify and confirm two types of cells in human skin cell cultures; the possible source of stem cell-like subpopulations from skin biopsies would be faster to perform, painless, and less invasive than current extractions from adipose tissues and bone marrow.

The research, featured in the inaugural issue of BioResearch Open Access, discusses two subtypes of cells. BioResearch Open Access is a bimonthly, peer-reviewed journal. It features scientific topics like biochemistry, bioengineering, gene therapy, genetics, microbiology, neuroscience, regenerative medicine, stem cells, systems biology, tissue engineering and biomaterials, and virology.

Being able to identify two sub-populations of rare, viable and functional cells that behave like stem cells from within the skin is an important finding because both cell types have the potential to be investigated for diverse clinical applications, commented Dr. James A. Bryne, lead author of the report.

Brynes research, first at Stanford University then at UCLA, focused on reprogramming beginnings of cells from animals and then humans. A graduate of Cambridge University, Bryne studied the intra- and inter-species of epigenetic reprogramming. His work also highlighted how primate embryonic stem cells could be derived from somatic cell nuclear transfers.

The study published in BioResearch Open Access confirmed previous research that identified a rare population of cells in adult human skin that had a marker called stage-specific embryonic antigen 3 (SSEA3). Bryne and his colleagues found that there was an increase in the amount of SSEA3 expressing cells after injury to the human skin. It showed that the SSEA3 biomarker could be used to help identify and isolate cells with tissue-regenerative traits.

Finding these rare adult stem cell-like subpopulations in human skin is an exciting discovery and provides the first step towards purifying and expanding these cells to clinically relevant numbers for application to a variety of potential personalized cellular therapies for osteoarthritis, bone loss, injury and/or damage to human skin as well as many other diseases, remarked Bryne, an Assistant Professor of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology at the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA.

Bryne and his team used Fibrocell technology to collect cells from skin samples, cultured the cells in the lab, and purified them by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). The FACS tagged suspended cells with fluorescent markers for undifferentiated stem cells. The researchers were able to separate the rare cell subpopulations from other kinds of cells.

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Study Identifies Cell Subtypes For Potential Personalized Cellular Therapies

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New England Journal of Medicine Reports on Three Phase III REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) Trials in Patients with Newly …

BOUDRY, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Celgene International Srl, a subsidiary of Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG - News), today announced that results from three phase III studies evaluating the use of continuous REVLIMID (lenalidomide) treatment in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients or maintenance treatment with lenalidomide following autologous stem cell transplant were published online in the May 10, 2012 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine. All three publications highlight the expanding body of clinical evidence supporting lenalidomide treatment in these areas.

Continuous Lenalidomide Therapy (non-transplant eligible population):

The first article highlights a Celgene-sponsored study of continuous lenalidomide treatment in elderly patients newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

Continuous Lenalidomide Treatment for Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (MM-015)

This double-blind, phase III, multicenter, randomized study conducted by Celgene compared melphalanprednisonelenalidomide induction followed by lenalidomide maintenance (MPR-R), with melphalanprednisonelenalidomide (MPR), or melphalanprednisone (MP) followed by placebo in 459 patients aged 65 years with newly-diagnosed myeloma who were not eligible for autologous stem-cell transplant.

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1112704

Post-transplant maintenance

The two additional articles published in the edition highlighted cooperative group studies that evaluated the use of lenalidomide maintenance following autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT).

In each of the studies, one funded by the National Cancer Institute and conducted by the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) and one by the Intergroupe Francophone du Myelome (IFM), maintenance treatment with lenalidomide following ASCT resulted in delayed time to disease progression or death compared to placebo.

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New England Journal of Medicine Reports on Three Phase III REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) Trials in Patients with Newly ...

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Pluristem stem cell therapy saves a patient, shares jump

Wed May 9, 2012 3:35pm BST

(Reuters) - Pluristem Therapeutics Inc said a 7-year old girl suffering from a bone marrow disease experienced a reversal of her condition after receiving its experimental stem cell therapy, sending the Israeli company's shares up 32 percent.

The girl, suffering from aplastic bone marrow in which the patient has no blood-forming stem cells, had a significant rise in her red cells, white cells and platelets following an injection of Pluristem's therapy -- PLacental eXpanded cells.

"The results of this unique case indicate that PLX cells may be effective in treating other diseases that affect the bone marrow," Reuven Or, the child's physician at Hadassah Medical Center, was quoted in a statement by Pluristem.

Last September, the company said animal studies showed that the therapy had the potential to treat blood tissue complications related with acute radiation syndrome, commonly called radiation sickness.

Last month, the U.S. health regulators gave a go ahead to the company to start a mid-stage trial of the therapy for treating Intermittent Claudication -- a subset of peripheral artery disease.

Pluristem shares, which have gained 5 percent since receiving the FDA nod for the mid-stage trial, were up 15 percent at $2.70 in morning trade on the Nasdaq. They touched a high of $3.10 earlier.

(Reporting by Esha Dey in Bangalore; Editing by Gopakumar Warrier)

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Cardio3 BioSciences Announces CE Marking for its C-Cath® Injection Catheter

MONT-SAINT-GUIBERT, Belgium, May 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

The Belgian biotechnology company, Cardio3--BioSciences (C3BS), a leader in the discovery and development of regenerative and protective therapies for the treatment of cardiac diseases, today announces that it has received CE Marking (Conformit Europenne) for its intra-myocardial C-Cath Injection Catheter. The CE Mark certifies that C-Cath complies with applicable European health, safety and environmental protection legislation. C-Cath is now available for commercial use in the EU and many other countries where the CE mark allows commercialization.

The C-Cath Injection Catheter is the most advanced device of its kind and was designed to address three key requirements: ease of use, safety and efficacy. During its development Cardio3 BioSciences combined its extensive experience in stem cell therapies and specific knowledge of the properties of heart tissue with key insights from leading cardiologists in the field. C-Cath's performance is based on its unique needle design as well as unique catheter properties. Previously announced pre-clinical data from a head to head comparison with the 'best' injection catheter available until now showed a close to threefold increase in retention of stem cells within the heart muscle in favour of the CCath Injection Catheter. Within a clinical setting, an increased retention rate could allow an increase in efficacy while reducing side effects.-

Dr Christian Homsy,CEOof Cardio3-BioSciences comments on today's announcement: "Today marks an important milestone for Cardio3 BioSciences and our innovative C-Cath technology. With C-Cath, we developed an advanced injection catheter that meets the requirements of physicians and has the potential to deliver better outcomes for patients. C-Cath demonstrates our commitment to continued innovation in regenerative heart therapy. This is a major step forward in addressing the patient needs for regenerative therapies for the heart and provides physicians with new treatment options."

About Cardio3 BioSciences

Cardio3-BioSciences is a Belgian leading biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of regenerative and protective therapies for the treatment of cardiac diseases. The company was founded in 2007 and is based in the Walloon region of Belgium. Cardio3-BioSciences leverages research collaborations in the US and in Europe with Mayo Clinic and the Cardiovascular Center Aalst, Belgium.

The Company's lead product candidate C3BS-CQR-1 is an innovative pharmaceutical product consisting of autologous cardiac progenitor stem cells. C3BS-CQR-1 is based on ground breaking research conducted at Mayo Clinic that allowed discovery of cardiopoiesis, a process to mimic in adult stem cells the natural signals triggered in the early stages of life during the cardiac tissue development. Cardio3-BioSciences has developed C-Cath, the next-generation injection catheter with superior efficiency of delivery of bio therapeutic agents into the myocardium.

C3BS-CQR-1, C-Cure, C-Cath, Cardio3 BioSciences and the Cardio3 BioSciences and C-Cath logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cardio3 BioSciences SA, in Belgium, other countries, or both. Mayo Clinic holds equity in Cardio3 BioSciences as a result of intellectual property licensed to the company. In addition to historical facts or statements of current condition, this press release contains forward-looking statements, which reflect our current expectations and projections about future events, and involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein. These forward-looking statements are further qualified by important factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including timely submission and approval of anticipated regulatory filings; the successful initiation and completion of required Phase III studies; additional clinical results validating the use of adult autologous stem cells to treat heart failure; satisfaction of regulatory and other requirements; and actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities. As a result, of these factors investors and prospective investors are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements.We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For more information contact:

Cardio3 BioSciences http://www.c3bs.com

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Cardio3 BioSciences Announces CE Marking for its C-Cath® Injection Catheter

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Compassionate Use of Pluristem’s PLX Cells Saves the Life of a Child After Bone Marrow Transplantation Failure

HAIFA, Israel, May 9, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pluristem Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:PSTI - News) (TASE:PLTR) today announced that a seven year-old girl suffering from an aplastic bone marrow whose condition was rapidly deteriorating is now experiencing a reversal of her condition with a significant increase in her red cells, white cells and platelets following the intramuscular injection of the company's PLacental eXpanded (PLX) cells. Aplastic bone marrow is a disease where the patient has no blood-forming hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow.

"With her body rejecting all possible treatment -- and with no other options -- we finally turned to Pluristem's PLX cells, which literally saved her life," said Professor Reuven Or, Director of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Cell Therapy and Transplantation Research Center at Hadassah Medical Center and the child's physician. "The results of this unique case indicate that PLX cells may be effective in treating other diseases that affect the bone marrow."

The patient has been hospitalized at the Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem since August 2011. Her aplastic bone marrow had been refractory to treatment and, therefore, she underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation from a matched unrelated donor. The first transplant was unsuccessful and the patient remained with bone marrow failure. Therefore, the patient underwent a second allogeneic stem cell transplantation from a second donor. Unfortunately, the bone marrow function was very poor and the patient suffered from recurrent infections. Approximately two months after the patient's second bone marrow transplant, the child received PLX cells intramuscularly in two doses approximately one week apart. Approximately 10 days after the last administration of PLX cells, the patient's hematological parameters began to significantly increase, an effect that has persisted to date. Additionally, the patient's general clinical status has improved. Subsequent analysis has indicated that the PLX cells worked by stimulating the recovery of the hematopoietic stem cells contained in the second bone marrow transplant that she had received over two months earlier. Finally, after nine months of hospitalization, the child will be discharged from the hospital.

"Pluristem is extremely happy that our PLX cells have helped this little girl," said Zami Aberman, Chairman and CEO of Pluristem. "Remarkably, these beneficial effects were seen in the patient after our PLX cells were administered intramuscularly and correlates with the positive effects on the bone marrow when we administered our PLX cells intramuscularly (IM) in animals exposed to toxic levels of radiation. Pluristem now has several data points to indicate that our PLX cells may work for systemic diseases when given locally, away from the target organ, and without a need to give cells intravenously."

In February 2012, Pluristem announced the results of animal studies suggesting PLX cells can be potentially effective in treating the life threatening hematopoietic complications associated with Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS). In these experiments, animals given PLX cells IM up to 24 hours post irradiation demonstrated a recovery of their red cells, white cells, platelets and bone marrow to almost normal levels. It was that announcement, and the significant deterioration of the patient following two bone marrow transplants, that led Professor Reuven Or to contact Pluristem about the possible compassionate use of PLX cells to treat his young patient.

Pluristem recently received U.S. FDA Clearance to begin a Phase II clinical trial using the company's proprietary PLX-PAD cell product candidate intramuscularly for the treatment of Intermittent Claudication (IC), a subset of peripheral artery disease (PAD). In April, the Company was awarded a $3.1 Million grant by the Israeli Government, which will be used to help fund R&D and clinical trials.

About Pluristem Therapeutics Inc.

Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:PSTI - News) (TASE:PLTR) is a leading developer of placenta-based cell therapies. The Company's patented PLX (PLacental eXpanded) cells are a drug delivery platform that releases a cocktail of therapeutic proteins in response to a host of local and systemic inflammatory and ischemic diseases. PLX cells are grown using the company's proprietary 3D micro-environmental technology and are an "off-the-shelf" product that requires no tissue matching prior to administration. Pluristem is focusing on the use of PLX cells administered locally to treat systemic diseases and potentially obviating the need to use the intravenous route.

Data from two phase I/II studies indicate that Pluristem's first PLX product candidate, PLX-PAD, is safe and potentially effective for the treatment of end stage peripheral artery disease when given locally. Additionally, Pluristem is developing PLX-PAD for cardiac ischemia, PLX-BMP for Acute Radiation Exposure, Bone Marrow Transplant Failure and Chemotherapy induced Bone Marrow Aplasia, PLX-ORTHO for orthopedic indications and PLX-PAH for Pulmonary Hypertension in collaboration with United Therapeutics. Pluristem's pre-clinical animal models have demonstrated PLX cells are also potentially effective in other inflammatory/ischemic indications, including diastolic heart failure, inflammatory bowel disease, neuropathic pain and pulmonary fibrosis.

Pluristem has a strong patent portfolio, GMP certified manufacturing and research facilities as well as strategic relationships with major research institutions.

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Compassionate Use of Pluristem's PLX Cells Saves the Life of a Child After Bone Marrow Transplantation Failure

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Stem cell collaboration could set stage for company’s growth

A stem cell breakthrough at UCLA could mark a big step for a biopharmaceutical company to use its proprietary technology to forge partnerships with pharmaceutical companies and other research institutions.

Fibrocell Sciences technology isolates, purifies and multiplies a patients fibroblast cells, connective skin cells that make collagen. In a research collaboration with the company, UCLA used the technology to isolate, identify and increase the number of different skin cell types, which lead to two rare adult stem cell-like subpopulations being identified in adult human skin SSEA3-expressing regeneration-associated cells associated with skin regeneration after injuries and mesenchymal adult stem cells.

The findings could have broad applications for personalized medicine. Currently, adult stem cells are derived from adipose tissue and bone marrow. Using mesenchymal stem cells would be less invasive and could be more efficient. Mesenchymal stem cells are being used in research to develop osteoblasts, or bone cells; chondrocytes, or cartilage cells; and adipocytes, or fat cells.

David Pernock, the chairman and CEO of Fibrocell, said the move could mark a significant step in the companys growth.

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Stem cell collaboration could set stage for company’s growth

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Boston scientists grow lung tissue from cystic fibrosis patients’ skin cells

By Carolyn Y. Johnson, Globe Staff

Two teams of Boston scientists have developed new ways to turn stem cells into different types of lung tissue, surmounting a major hurdle for scientists trying to harness the power of stem cell biology to study and develop treatments for major lung diseases.

One team then used skin cells from cystic fibrosis patients to create embryonic-like stem cells, then working in lab dishes used those cells to grow tissue that lines the airways and contains a defect responsible for the rare, fatal disease. The technique -- essentially a recipe for growing such lung tissue -- could provide a powerful platform to screen drugs and study the biology of the disease.

Growing lung tissue in the laboratory has long been a goal of stem cell scientists, but has been more technically difficult than growing other types of tissues, such as brain cells or heart cells. Such lung tissue is valuable because it could be used to screen potential drugs and more closely probe the problems that underlie diseases such as asthma, emphysema, and rare genetic diseases. Such techniques may also one day help researchers grow replacement tissues and devise ways to restore or repair injured lung tissue.

A team led by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers created lung tissue from a patient with the genetic mutation that most commonly underlies cystic fibrosis and researchers hope the technique will also be a powerful tool to study other diseases that affect the airway tissue, such as asthma and lung cancer. The other team, led by Boston University School of Medicine scientists, was able to derive cells that form the delicate air sacs of the lung from mouse embryonic stem cells. The team is hoping to refine the recipe for making the cells so that they can be used to derive lung tissue from a bank of 100 stem cell lines of patients with lung disease. Both papers were published Thursday in the journal Cell Stem Cell.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a Cambridge biotechnology company, earlier this year received approval for Kalydeco -- the first drug to directly target the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis. That compound was discovered by screening massive numbers of potential drugs against cells engineered to carry the same defect that underlies cystic fibrosis.

We had to use engineered cells, and certainly using more native human cells ... would be potentially beneficial, said Dr. Frederick Van Goor, head of biology for Vertexs cystic fibrosis research program. We had to rely on donor tissue obtained from patients with cystic fibrosis, and its a bit more challenging, because the number of donor lungs you can get and the number of cells you can derive from there are more limited.

Van Goor said it was too soon to say whether the company would use the new technology in screening, but noted that the tests the company had used to determine whether a drug was likely to work against the disease had, in some cases, given scientists false leads. Some molecules that worked on the engineered cells did not work in the complicated biology of the lung.

Its a significant event for the lung field, said Dr. Thiennu Vu, associate professor of medicine at the University of California San Francisco, who was not involved in the research. She added that much work remains before such cells could be used to repair or replace damaged tissue, and even before such cells would necessarily be useful for drug screening. It will be important, she said, to refine the recipe to ensure that the technique yields pure populations of the specific types of functional lung cells.

In the competitive world of science, where credit for being the first to do something is crucially important, the two research teams accomplishments are an unusual example of competitors turning into collaborators -- forging a relationship that both teams felt helped speed up progress.

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Wheelchair Breakdowns on the Rise, Study Finds

WEDNESDAY, May 9 (HealthDay News) -- An increasing number of wheelchair breakdowns are causing people with spinal cord injuries to be left stranded, hurt or unable to keep their medical appointments, according to a new study.

In the report, published online in the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh researchers suggested that changes in Medicare reimbursements may be contributing to this growing problem.

The researchers found that more than half of wheelchair users had a breakdown within six months. A growing number of these breakdowns resulted in injuries and other health and safety concerns.

In conducting the research, Dr. Michael Boninger, of the University of Pittsburgh's physical medicine and rehabilitation department, and colleagues examined an ongoing survey study of more than 700 people with spinal cord injury who were confined to a wheelchair for a minimum of 40 hours each week. The participants provided information on the wheelchair problems they experienced and what happened as a result of their breakdowns.

The study revealed that the rate of wheelchair breakdowns surged between 2006 and 2011. During this time, roughly 53 percent of wheelchair users reported at least one breakdown requiring repairs within six months -- up from 45 percent between 2004 and 2006. The average number of repairs per person also surged from 1.03 in 2004-2006 to 1.42 in 2006-2011.

"It is possible that this increase in the number of repairs is the result of a decrease in wheelchair quality resulting from changes in reimbursement policies and a lack of enforcement of standards testing," the study authors noted in a journal news release.

The researchers also found the rate of adverse consequences of breakdowns jumped to 30.5 percent in 2006-2011 from 22 percent in 2004-2006. The total number of consequences per wheelchair user was also twice as high.

Power wheelchairs, particularly those with power seats, were more problematic than manual models, accounting for almost two-thirds of all problems reported by users.

Racial and ethnic minorities reported a greater number of breakdowns. The study authors pointed out that these patients were also less likely to have a backup wheelchair available to them.

Moreover, the study showed wheelchairs paid for by Medicare or Medicaid had higher rates of breakdowns and resulting problems than those covered by private insurance or other sources, including the Veterans Administration.

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Wheelchair Breakdowns on the Rise, Study Finds

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LeGrand honored by Bucs contract; mail

The Buccaneers signed Eric LeGrand on May 2. LeGrand's return to the field in October was voted by Sports Illustrated readers as the Best Moment of 2011.

AP

"I want to make sure Eric is a part of what we do, somehow. Eric's always going to be a part of my life." -- Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano to me, upon being named coach of the Bucs in January, about the fate of Eric LeGrand, the former Rutgers defensive tackle who suffered a spinal-cord injury in a 2010 game.

When Greg Schiano told his kids they'd be moving to Florida, because he was going to become the coach of the NFL team in Tampa, one of them said: "What about Eric?''

What about Eric. It's something Schiano has been thinking about since the day LeGrand made a hard tackle against Army at the Meadowlands -- Oct. 16, 2010 -- and didn't get up. He broke two vertebrae and suffered a serious spinal cord injury, and his football career was over. Life would be challenging enough, never mind thinking about football.

LeGrand and Schiano got closer after the injury. A lot closer. "He was my coach before,'' LeGrand told me Sunday. "Now he's part of my family.''

How'd that happen?

"After I had the accident,'' LeGrand said, "I was laying in my hospital bed. My mom was with me every day. But she needed some relief at night, so about 11 o'clock, every other night, coach Schiano came into the room. I was so scared I couldn't sleep most of the time. But I'd look over and there he'd be. He'd talk to me, about everything. And if I'd doze off, I'd wake up and there he'd be, with his computer in his lap, doing the work he was supposed to be doing but he was seeing me instead. That happened every other night. We got close. He became a lot more than a coach to me.''

As LeGrand rehabbed and put the pieces of his life back together, he still thought about football. And he thought of it this spring. Had his career not been ended in the middle of his junior season, there's a chance he would have been picked on day two or three of this year's draft. LeGrand doesn't give in to pity much, but when he was watching the draft on TV late last month, he said at one point, "That could have been me.''

And so last Tuesday, when Schiano called to tell him something, football was still on LeGrand's mind. According to LeGrand, Schiano told him, "I want to offer you a contract. I want you to be our 90th man.''

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LeGrand honored by Bucs contract; mail

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Peter King: Schiano, Bucs honor LeGrand’s perseverance with contract; mail

The Buccaneers signed Eric LeGrand on May 2. LeGrand's return to the field in October was voted by Sports Illustrated readers as the Best Moment of 2011.

AP

"I want to make sure Eric is a part of what we do, somehow. Eric's always going to be a part of my life." -- Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano to me, upon being named coach of the Bucs in January, about the fate of Eric LeGrand, the former Rutgers defensive tackle who suffered a spinal-cord injury in a 2010 game.

When Greg Schiano told his kids they'd be moving to Florida, because he was going to become the coach of the NFL team in Tampa, one of them said: "What about Eric?''

What about Eric. It's something Schiano has been thinking about since the day LeGrand made a hard tackle against Army at the Meadowlands -- Oct. 16, 2010 -- and didn't get up. He broke two vertebrae and suffered a serious spinal cord injury, and his football career was over. Life would be challenging enough, never mind thinking about football.

LeGrand and Schiano got closer after the injury. A lot closer. "He was my coach before,'' LeGrand told me Sunday. "Now he's part of my family.''

How'd that happen?

"After I had the accident,'' LeGrand said, "I was laying in my hospital bed. My mom was with me every day. But she needed some relief at night, so about 11 o'clock, every other night, coach Schiano came into the room. I was so scared I couldn't sleep most of the time. But I'd look over and there he'd be. He'd talk to me, about everything. And if I'd doze off, I'd wake up and there he'd be, with his computer in his lap, doing the work he was supposed to be doing but he was seeing me instead. That happened every other night. We got close. He became a lot more than a coach to me.''

As LeGrand rehabbed and put the pieces of his life back together, he still thought about football. And he thought of it this spring. Had his career not been ended in the middle of his junior season, there's a chance he would have been picked on day two or three of this year's draft. LeGrand doesn't give in to pity much, but when he was watching the draft on TV late last month, he said at one point, "That could have been me.''

And so last Tuesday, when Schiano called to tell him something, football was still on LeGrand's mind. According to LeGrand, Schiano told him, "I want to offer you a contract. I want you to be our 90th man.''

Continue reading here:
Peter King: Schiano, Bucs honor LeGrand's perseverance with contract; mail

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Research and Markets: Acute Spinal Cord Injury – Pipeline Review, H1 2012

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Dublin - Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/bx4hvt/acute_spinal_cord) has announced the addition of Global Markets Direct's new report "Acute Spinal Cord Injury - Pipeline Review, H1 2012" to their offering.

Global Markets Direct's, 'Acute Spinal Cord Injury - Pipeline Review, H1 2012', provides an overview of the Acute Spinal Cord Injury therapeutic pipeline. This report provides information on the therapeutic development for Acute Spinal Cord Injury, complete with latest updates, and special features on late-stage and discontinued projects. It also reviews key players involved in the therapeutic development for Acute Spinal Cord Injury. 'Acute Spinal Cord Injury - Pipeline Review, H1 2012' is built using data and information sourced from Global Markets Direct's proprietary databases, Company/University websites, SEC filings, investor presentations and featured press releases from company/university sites and industry-specific third party sources, put together by Global Markets Direct's team.

Scope:

- A snapshot of the global therapeutic scenario for Acute Spinal Cord Injury.

- A review of the Acute Spinal Cord Injury products under development by companies and universities/research institutes based on information derived from company and industry-specific sources.

- Coverage of products based on various stages of development ranging from discovery till registration stages.

- A feature on pipeline projects on the basis of monotherapy and combined therapeutics.

- Coverage of the Acute Spinal Cord Injury pipeline on the basis of route of administration and molecule type.

- Profiles of late-stage pipeline products featuring sections on product description, mechanism of action and research & development progress.

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Research and Markets: Acute Spinal Cord Injury - Pipeline Review, H1 2012

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Iran builds machine to help SCI patients’ movements

Source: ISNA, Tehran

Iranian researchers managed to design and build a machine which helps the patients suffering Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) increase their movement abilities.

An Iranian faculty member of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science, Amir Massoud Arab told ISNA that there is no treatment for the trauma and that rehabilitation plays a significant role in helping the patients to return to their previous condition to some extent.

Arab noted Functional Electrical Stimulation-Assisted Rowing Machine has been made inside the country by Iranian experts and would increase the movement activities of SCI sufferer. It aims to functionalize the rehabilitation objectives.

A Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) refers to any injury to the spinal cord that is caused by trauma instead of disease. Depending on where the spinal cord and nerve roots are damaged, the symptoms can vary widely, from pain to paralysis to incontinence.

Spinal cord injuries are described at various levels of "incomplete", which can vary from having no effect on the patient to a "complete" injury which means a total loss of function.

Arab noted patients' lack of movements as well as their dependence on wheelchair is considered to be of major threats for the SCI sufferers and the designed machine would decrease their dependency and let them have more activities.

He said the advantages of rowing exercise comparing to other ones is that upper limbs would be involved in movement as well as the lower limbs which would help the operation of the patients' heart, adding the machine has been tested on a number of patients and the results were satisfying.

Iranian lecturer pointed out the machine possesses a fly wheel which is equipped with magnetic brakes with 9 resistance level, adding there is a chair equipped with a dorsal so that the patient do not have any problem while sitting on it.

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Iran builds machine to help SCI patients' movements

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