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Quincy Bioscience Receives Patent for Jellyfish Protein Aequorin

February 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment


Madison, Wis (Vocus) July 8, 2010

Quincy Bioscience, a research-based biotechnology company, announced the issuance of United States patent No.7,671,015. The patent covers the use of aequorin-containing compounds for the purpose of preventing and alleviating symptoms and disorders related to calcium imbalance.

?Quincy Bioscience continues to strengthen its position in developing this novel calcium-binding protein as a platform technology,? said Mark Underwood, president of Quincy Bioscience. ?The neuron?s ability to manage calcium and maintain homeostasis is fundamental to proper function. Research has proven the cell?s inability to regulate calcium is a key pathophysiological component in many different brain disorders, including Alzheimer?s disease. Based on our ongoing research of aequorin in various health conditions and what we know about the role of calcium in the body, we expect aequorin to be a vital protein in many aspects of healthy aging.?

Aequorin, which comes from a species of jellyfish called Aequorea victoria, is a calcium-binding protein. In humans calcium-binding proteins are utilized to maintain calcium balance which is critical to proper cell function. Aequorin has proven to be neuroprotective in pre-clinical studies performed at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and has shown to be effective at improving aspects of cognition such as spatial working memory and executive function in human studies conducted by Quincy Bioscience.

About Quincy Bioscience

Quincy Bioscience is a biotechnology company based in Madison, Wisconsin. Quincy Bioscience is focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel compounds to fight the aging process. The company’s products focus on restoring calcium balance related to neurodegenerative disorders and other destructive age-related mechanisms.

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Scripps Center for Executive Health Now Offers Genetic Testing

February 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment


La Jolla, CA (Vocus) July 8, 2010

The Scripps Center for Executive Health is one of an elite few executive health programs in the country to now offer its patients genetic risk analysis testing. In keeping with its mission of providing preventive healthcare strategies for its clients, this newly added service helps patients personalize their prevention strategies according to their genetic risks.

Using genetic analysis services offered through Navigenics

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Dr. Silverman comments on July 11 AV-45 clinical presentation at the International Conference on Alzheimer?s Disease (ICAD)

February 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Honolulu, HI (PRWEB) July 11, 2010

MEDIA ADVISORY –Daniel Silverman, MD, PhD, attended ICAD and the Imaging Consortium and offers these comments based on the AV-45 news report from the ICAD meeting. He can be contacted for additional perspective.

As the head of the Neuronuclear Imaging Section at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Dr. Silverman is an internationally known researcher, specializing in nuclear medicine imaging studies for the improved diagnosis and treatment of many types of dementia, including AD.

In 2001, Dr. Silverman developed the first quantification software program for FDG-PET brain imaging (trade name NeuroQ

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Syntermed Launches NeuroQ 3.5 – Nuclear Medicine Diagnostic Program at Alzheimer?s Association 2010 International Conference

February 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment


Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) July 12, 2010

At the Alzheimer?s Association 2010 International Conference (ICAD) July 10-14 in Honolulu, HI, Syntermed, Inc. launched NeuroQ? version 3.5, a nuclear medicine quantitative software platform for analysis and image display of brain FDG-PET scans. NeuroQ can increase physician accuracy in diagnosing and differentiating the many types of dementia, compared to visual interpretation alone of FDG-PET. The update adds ten new features that improve performance, processing, speed, and quality control and is compatible with Syntermed Live? for secure remote access to images and data.

The company is working on a module for NeuroQ to quantify PET amyloid imaging of the brain. Amyloid deposits in the brain are a hallmark of Alzheimer?s disease.

Syntermed also announced it is collaborating with Avid Radiopharmaceuticals and building a database of normal brain AV-45 PET images to integrate into NeuroQ. AV-45 is a radiopharmaceutical contrast agent developed by AVID that distinguishes with PET imaging amyloid deposits in the brain of living patients. Currently, Alzheimer?s can only be definitively diagnosed after death on autopsy when beta-amyloid plaque deposits are found.

Michael T. Lee, Chairman and CEO of Syntermed said, ?This is an exciting time for Syntermed. We have the leading tool available for use today to quantify FDG-PET scans. NeuroQ provides physicians and their patients the added measure of confidence to have an accurate differential diagnosis of dementia.?

He added, ?Our support for AV-45, as soon as it becomes commercially available, will offer physicians the next generation of a proven diagnostic tool to help them even more definitively diagnose Alzheimer?s from other dementias and monitor its pathology.?

There is a high rate of misdiagnosis of Alzheimer?s, the most common form of dementia. More than 40% of patients diagnosed with early dementia who are found on autopsy not to have Alzheimer?s disease, were misdiagnosed with AD during life. Other forms of dementia and conditions that can cause memory problems go undiagnosed and untreated.

FDG-PET is used in the diagnosis of dementia. Including all dementias, more than 30% of patients are misdiagnosed. Using FDG-PET in the diagnosis of dementia increases the accuracy of the diagnosis to approximately 90%. Expertise is required to interpret the complex and quantitative data in the scans. Most physicians do not frequently read these images.

Daniel Silverman, M.D., Ph.D., head of Neuronuclear Imaging section, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, said, ?For patients whose clinical work-up has not led to a definitive diagnosis, brain PET is currently our single best tool to differentiate dementias, especially in the early stages of the disease. Adding quantitative analysis to PET can further improve the ability to diagnose the cause of the dementia.?

NeuroQ goes beyond the visual read and provides valuable non-subjective diagnostic information. Metabolic levels in more than 240 pre-defined regions of the brain are rapidly compared to those in the normal database and quantified to show the degree of abnormality and statistical significance of the findings.

NeuroQ is the only brain-imaging program that can automatically analyze the difference between two FDG-PET studies of the same patient over time, creating a more exact region-by-region comparison throughout the brain.

It is compatible with Syntermed Live?, the company?s nuclear lab shared remote communications system. Reading and referring physicians can share and review high-resolution images and diagnostic reports securely from any PC/MAC at any time or place.

For clinical trials of new Alzheimer?s treatments or PET imaging agents, files from all sites can be transferred and securely stored, giving the core laboratory access to all data for analysis. Files are quickly and easily downloaded for both visual and quantitative blind reads.

Ken VanTrain, Syntermed President said, ?NeuroQ with Syntermed Live is especially attractive to companies conducting clinical trials. It offers a cost savings solution to quickly and securely manage data from the acquisition to the blind read sites, eliminating or minimizing the need for travel.?

Daniel Silverman, M.D., Ph.D., director of UCLA Medical Center?s Brain Imaging Clinic and Syntermed developed NeuroQ. It was the first quantitative program cleared by the FDA for analyzing PET scans to assist with the differential diagnosis of dementia.

About Syntermed, Inc.

Syntermed, a privately owned Atlanta-based nuclear medicine imaging and informatics software company, transformed the nuclear imaging field by being the first to offer PET and SPECT software programs untethered from imaging hardware. Its software powers more than 40 percent of the nuclear cardiology labs in the US; and its NeuroQ? is the most widely used commercially available Brain PET quantitation solution in the world. The company?s software is licensed to medical imaging companies including GE Healthcare, Siemens Medical Solutions, Philips Medical Systems, McKesson Information Solutions, and Cardinal Health; and is compatible with any nuclear medicine workstation or PC/MAC that supports Microsoft

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Syntermed Launches NeuroQ 3.5 – Nuclear Medicine Diagnostic Program at Alzheimer?s Association 2010 International Conference

February 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment


Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) July 12, 2010

At the Alzheimer?s Association 2010 International Conference (ICAD) July 10-14 in Honolulu, HI, Syntermed, Inc. launched NeuroQ? version 3.5, a nuclear medicine quantitative software platform for analysis and image display of brain FDG-PET scans. NeuroQ can increase physician accuracy in diagnosing and differentiating the many types of dementia, compared to visual interpretation alone of FDG-PET. The update adds ten new features that improve performance, processing, speed, and quality control and is compatible with Syntermed Live? for secure remote access to images and data.

The company is working on a module for NeuroQ to quantify PET amyloid imaging of the brain. Amyloid deposits in the brain are a hallmark of Alzheimer?s disease.

Syntermed also announced it is collaborating with Avid Radiopharmaceuticals and building a database of normal brain AV-45 PET images to integrate into NeuroQ. AV-45 is a radiopharmaceutical contrast agent developed by AVID that distinguishes with PET imaging amyloid deposits in the brain of living patients. Currently, Alzheimer?s can only be definitively diagnosed after death on autopsy when beta-amyloid plaque deposits are found.

Michael T. Lee, Chairman and CEO of Syntermed said, ?This is an exciting time for Syntermed. We have the leading tool available for use today to quantify FDG-PET scans. NeuroQ provides physicians and their patients the added measure of confidence to have an accurate differential diagnosis of dementia.?

He added, ?Our support for AV-45, as soon as it becomes commercially available, will offer physicians the next generation of a proven diagnostic tool to help them even more definitively diagnose Alzheimer?s from other dementias and monitor its pathology.?

There is a high rate of misdiagnosis of Alzheimer?s, the most common form of dementia. More than 40% of patients diagnosed with early dementia who are found on autopsy not to have Alzheimer?s disease, were misdiagnosed with AD during life. Other forms of dementia and conditions that can cause memory problems go undiagnosed and untreated.

FDG-PET is used in the diagnosis of dementia. Including all dementias, more than 30% of patients are misdiagnosed. Using FDG-PET in the diagnosis of dementia increases the accuracy of the diagnosis to approximately 90%. Expertise is required to interpret the complex and quantitative data in the scans. Most physicians do not frequently read these images.

Daniel Silverman, M.D., Ph.D., head of Neuronuclear Imaging section, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, said, ?For patients whose clinical work-up has not led to a definitive diagnosis, brain PET is currently our single best tool to differentiate dementias, especially in the early stages of the disease. Adding quantitative analysis to PET can further improve the ability to diagnose the cause of the dementia.?

NeuroQ goes beyond the visual read and provides valuable non-subjective diagnostic information. Metabolic levels in more than 240 pre-defined regions of the brain are rapidly compared to those in the normal database and quantified to show the degree of abnormality and statistical significance of the findings.

NeuroQ is the only brain-imaging program that can automatically analyze the difference between two FDG-PET studies of the same patient over time, creating a more exact region-by-region comparison throughout the brain.

It is compatible with Syntermed Live?, the company?s nuclear lab shared remote communications system. Reading and referring physicians can share and review high-resolution images and diagnostic reports securely from any PC/MAC at any time or place.

For clinical trials of new Alzheimer?s treatments or PET imaging agents, files from all sites can be transferred and securely stored, giving the core laboratory access to all data for analysis. Files are quickly and easily downloaded for both visual and quantitative blind reads.

Ken VanTrain, Syntermed President said, ?NeuroQ with Syntermed Live is especially attractive to companies conducting clinical trials. It offers a cost savings solution to quickly and securely manage data from the acquisition to the blind read sites, eliminating or minimizing the need for travel.?

Daniel Silverman, M.D., Ph.D., director of UCLA Medical Center?s Brain Imaging Clinic and Syntermed developed NeuroQ. It was the first quantitative program cleared by the FDA for analyzing PET scans to assist with the differential diagnosis of dementia.

About Syntermed, Inc.

Syntermed, a privately owned Atlanta-based nuclear medicine imaging and informatics software company, transformed the nuclear imaging field by being the first to offer PET and SPECT software programs untethered from imaging hardware. Its software powers more than 40 percent of the nuclear cardiology labs in the US; and its NeuroQ? is the most widely used commercially available Brain PET quantitation solution in the world. The company?s software is licensed to medical imaging companies including GE Healthcare, Siemens Medical Solutions, Philips Medical Systems, McKesson Information Solutions, and Cardinal Health; and is compatible with any nuclear medicine workstation or PC/MAC that supports Microsoft

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New Model of Leukemia Sheds Light on Possible Novel Treatment Targets

February 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment


Manhasset, NY (Vocus) July 12, 2010

Scientists at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research have created a clever model of how leukemia cells hide in the bone marrow niche and then grow and divide throughout the human body. Sarah R. Vaiselbuh, MD, and her colleagues figured out a way to create a human to human microenvironment in the laboratory so that they can study the disease process and eventually use the model to test new treatments. The finding is published in the July issue of Tissue Engineering.

Understanding how leukemia cells interact with the bone marrow microenvironment is key to understanding this common cancer. According to Dr. Vaiselbuh, leukemia cells hide in niches in the bone marrow where they take cover from chemotherapy. Once the storm is over, the dormant leukemia cells sneak out of their niches and begin growing and pushing beyond the territory of the bone marrow. The Feinstein scientists say that this might be one explanation for relapse in leukemia.

To test this theory, Dr. Vaiselbuh created an ectopic human leukemic stem cell niche by seeding a three-dimensional polyurethane scaffold (provided by Biomerix Corporation) with mesenchymal stem cells from normal human bone marrow. The mesenchymal stem cells in the scaffold create an ectopic human bone marrow microenvironment complete with fat cells and blood vessels.

To analyze whether the ectopic human microenvironment can support the growth of human acute myeloid leukemia cells in the laboratory model, they inject human myeloid leukemia cells onto the scaffold and watch what the cells do. They discovered that the leukemia cells need the support of the niche microenvironment to grow. Surprisingly up until three months after injection, the human myeloid leukemia cells grew locally in the niche, showing preference to the human microenvironment above the host environment. But by four months, they were invading bone marrow, spleen and liver of the host model.

“This model mimics the human pathophysiology of leukemia cells in the bone marrow,” said Dr. Vaiselbuh. She went on to study the genetic signature of the leukemia cells to help explain how the cells become invasive. The hope, she says, is to identify new oncogenic targets that can translate into novel therapeutic approaches to improve patient outcome.

She said that this model of the human leukemia stem cell niche could be used to develop novel ways to treat leukemia and prevent its relapse.

About The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research

Headquartered in Manhasset, NY, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research is home to international scientific leaders in cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer?s disease, psychiatric disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, sepsis, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, human genetics, neuroimmunology, and medicinal chemistry. Feinstein researchers are developing new drugs and drug targets, and producing results where science meets the patient, annually enrolling some 10,000 subjects into clinical research programs. For more information: http://www.feinsteininstitute.org/

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Faculty, Agenda, and Topic Updates for 3rd Annual Chair Summit, August 26-29, 2010, Chicago, IL

February 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Rockville, MD (PRWEB) July 13, 2010

CME Outfitters, LLC, (CMEO) an accredited provider of multidisciplinary continuing education (CE), in co-sponsorship with USF Health, an ACCME-accredited provider of continuing medical education (CME), announces the topics and presenting faculty for the 3rd Annual Chair Summit – The Master Class for Neuroscience Professional Development.

This important initiative is generating well-deserved attention and interest, but space is limited to the first 300 registrants. For the most current information or to register online, please visit http://www.neuroscienceCME.com/PR461. Full disclosure of faculty relationships will be made available online prior to the premiere date of this activity.

Scheduled for August 26 through August 29, 2010, the 3rd Annual Chair Summit will take place at the Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile in Chicago, IL. The 3rd Annual Chair Summit is an intensive 3

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Organic Turmeric Cream ‘Curry’ to Fight Blemishes – Launch of Clear Face Turmeric Lotion by Passport to Organics

February 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment


Chicago, IL (PRWEB) July 14, 2010

Passport to Organics recently launched a breakthrough product in the organics industry market, Clear Face Turmeric Lotion. It uses certified organic turmeric as a main ingredient. This turmeric cream unlocks the beauty secret of turmeric, one of nature?s most powerful herbs. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties that promote clear skin naturally. Women in India and Asia have been using turmeric as part of their beauty routines for centuries. Further, it is a tradition for Indian brides to use a turmeric face mask before their weddings for glowing skin.

The founder, Liz Reyna, discovered the secret of turmeric when a group of her friends started discussing its many benefits. Liz went home that night and researched turmeric and become fascinated with the potent plant and how it can fight blemishes. She had been battling acne for many years and gave up on dermatologists, who only prescribed harsh chemicals that irritated her sensitive skin. After collaborating with dedicated chemists with over 20 years of experience in the natural organics industry, Clear Face Turmeric Lotion was developed. This turmeric cream is produced in the U.S.A in a USDA Organic Certified facility. It does not stain the skin yellow, which is an unwanted side effect from some of the turmeric creams from India and Asia. Additionally, using certified organic turmeric adds to the high quality ingredients that are used to formulate this innovative lotion.

Turmeric has been gaining market buzz for its many benefits, such as preventing cancer and Alzheimer?s disease. Yet its topical benefit to fight blemishes in the U.S. has not been widely utilized.

The answer? Clear Face Turmeric Lotion is a revolutionary turmeric cream that will popularize the use of turmeric in women?s beauty regimens.

Clear Face Turmeric Lotion will undoubtedly change the face of natural skincare. This will allow conscientious consumers in the organics market to have a natural option to battle blemishes, without harsh chemicals or ingredients.

?Women want natural solutions to beauty. I created this company with the belief that natural is better. Time tested organic solutions that are passed down from one generation to the next offer effective yet gentle remedies for any beauty need? said Liz.

This leading company’s products do not use any parabens, synthetic ingredients, GMOs, harmful chemicals, artificial fragrances, colors or preservatives. They source quality botanicals, oils and herbs throughout the world from suppliers that provide sustainable resources. These high quality ingredients are taken from Mother Nature, are eco-friendly and ethically sourced.

About Passport to Organics:

Founded in 2010, Passport to Organics ? Beauty from Around the World – is a leading industry natural organics skin care company that reveals time tested beauty secrets. The eco-friendly company does not use any synthetic ingredients, parabens, preservatives, artificial fragrances, colors or preservatives. Passport to Organics is headquartered in Chicago, IL. Please visit http://www.passporttoorganics.com for additional information.

Contact: Liz Reyna

800.809.7404 (office)

512.431.8283 (cell)

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New Drugs Target Alzheimer?s Disease

February 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment


(PRWEB) July 16, 2010

Few conditions are more devastating than Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). This neurodegenerative condition affects 10% of individuals over the age of 65, and carries a high personal and financial toll for patients and their families. In the US, the average lifetime cost for individual patient care is $ 174,000, while countrywide costs, both direct and indirect, are estimated at $ 100 billion per year.

Despite many years of research, treatments are limited. Current therapies are dominated by two drug classes: the cholinesterase inhibitors (e.g. Aricept

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Baby Boomer Caregivers Suffer Stress and Women Bear the Heaviest Burdens, Study Says Authors Share Solutions on eCareDiary.com’s Radio Show

February 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment


New York, NY (Vocus) July 19, 2010

eCareDiary?s BlogTalkRadio shows for July feature Laurel Kennedy, author of The Daughter Trap and Margery Pabst, author of Enrich Your Caregiving Journey. Both Kennedy and Pabst offer proven strategies to increase caregivers? emotional health and ease family conflicts. The Laurel Kennedy interview will air at 2pm EDT on July 26th. To listen, click here. The show featuring Margery Pabst is now available for free download at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ecarediary/2010/07/12/featuring-margery-pabst–author-of-enrich-your-car

Stress is taking its toll on Baby Boomers who care for elderly relatives. According to a 2009 study by the National Alliance of Caregivers and AARP, which was funded by MetLife, 66% of these caregivers are women. Women, says the study, are most likely to perform hands-on assistance with daily living activities.

AARP?s Elinor Ginzler explains that many in the sandwich generation ?have added caregiving, the equivalent of a part time job, to their responsibilities.?

In some cases, it?s much more than a part time job. Caregivers often spend 40 hours a week directly caring for a senior relative who may suffer from debilitating diseases such as cancer or arthritis. Frequently, an elderly relative in a busy boomer?s care is declining from degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer?s, ADL, Parkinson?s or strokes.

The work can be as backbreaking as it is heart-rending. And many caregivers find that they are doing the job without the help of siblings or other family members. The declining health of the elderly loved one often leads to difficult questions about end of life decisions, long term care and legal and financial matters. These questions can create ugly family conflicts that pile yet more stress on the overworked caregiver.

Unfortunately, the emotional fallout affects not only the caregiver, but the elder and the entire family. Finding smart ways to share the caregiving role and manage stress is crucial. This month?s eCareDiary.com radio shows feature authors who remind us that caregivers are at their best when they can attend to their own emotional needs.

Author and aging issues consultant Laurel Kennedy focuses on the daughters and daughters-in-law who provide elder care, often while also raising children and managing a home, a relationship, and a job. Kennedy offers practical solutions for engaging help and managing family dynamics in her book The Daughter Trap. Susan Baida and John Mills of eCareDiary will bring Kennedy?s tips and insight to their listeners on July 26, 2010 at 2pm EDT. Click here to listen.

Listeners can now download the eCareDiary interview of Margery Pabst, a prominent eldercare speaker and author of Enrich Your Caregiving Journey. This fourth book by Pabst won the 2010 Caregiver Friendly Award. Pabst described her own caregiving experience as a ?loney endeavor? and wrote her book to comfort and guide others who care for elderly relatives. eCareDiary?s Susan Baida commented that the book offers families ?tools to step back and focus? on the care rather than on the conflicts. Pabst?s explanation of generational values is a true eye-opener for caregivers who find their efforts unappreciated. Click here to listen.

eCareDiary was created through the shared mission of eldercare authority Susan Baida and John Mills, an experienced healthcare policy and industry leader. The husband and wife team found themselves plunged unexpectedly into numerous caregiving challenges and emerged determined to help others. Combining their expertise, Baida and Mills created eCareDiary.com, which offers caregivers a supportive community, free tools to manage doctors? appointments and medication schedules, access to legal documents and resources for family assistance.

If you missed the live broadcast, you can listen-on-demand to the online archive anytime. Just click on the play button next to the photo at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ecarediary.

About eCareDiary:

eCareDiary.com is a new website for families coordinating care for an aging loved one. Its mission is to help family caregivers help elder family members age in place and age with dignity. Its goal is to empower family caregivers with free tools, information and resources to help them become better health managers and advocates for their elderly relative. One of the main features is the Care Diary, a medication and appointment management tool enabling families to store and share their loved one?s information in a secure, private place. eCareDiary.com also provides caregivers with a supportive community.

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