Feeds:
Posts
Comments

A new review article published in the American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism explores the effects of the “ingredients” of Mediterranean lifestyle as a whole on post-meal blood triglyceride levels (PPL).

Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.newswise.com

See on Scoop.itCardiovascular Disease: PHARMACO-THERAPY

SACHS FLYER 2014 Metabolomics SeriesDindividualred-page2

We welcome Book Reviews on Amazon.com

Metabolic Genomics & Pharmaceutics

Volume Author, Curator, Editor

Larry H Bernstein, MD, FCAP

Leaders in Pharmaceutical Business Intelligence

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B012BB0ZF0

Introduction

Chapter 1: Metabolic Pathways

Chapter 2: Lipid Metabolism

Chapter 3: Cell Signaling

Chapter 4: Protein Synthesis and Degradation

Chapter 5:  Sub-cellular Structure

Chapter 6: Proteomics

Chapter 7: Metabolomics

Chapter 8.  Impairments in Pathological States: Endocrine Disorders; Stress Hypermetabolism and Cancer

Chapter 9: Genomic Expression in Health and Disease 

Summary 

Epilogue

Subcellular Localizations of C9orf72 in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Reporter: Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN

 

Ann Neurol. 2015 Jul 14. doi: 10.1002/ana.24469. [Epub ahead of print]

Isoform Specific Antibodies Reveal Distinct Subcellular Localizations of C9orf72 in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Xiao S1, MacNair L1,2, McGoldrick P1, McKeever PM1,2, McLean JR1, Zhang M1, Keith J2,3, Zinman L2,3, Rogaeva E1, Robertson J1.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

A noncoding hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9orf72 is the most common cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). It has been reported that the repeat expansion causes a downregulation of C9orf72 transcripts, suggesting that haploinsufficiency may contribute to disease pathogenesis. Two protein isoforms are generated from three alternatively spliced transcripts of C9orf72; a long form (C9-L) and a short form (C9-S) and their function(s) are largely unknown due to lack of specific antibodies.

METHODS:

To investigate C9orf72 protein properties, we developed novel antibodies that recognize either C9-L or C9-S. Multiple techniques including western blot, immunohistochemistry and co-immunoprecipitation were used to determine the expression levels and subcellular localizations of C9-L and C9-S.

RESULTS:

Investigation of expression of C9-L and C9-S demonstrated distinct biochemical profiles, region-specific changes and distinct subcellular localizations in ALS tissues. In particular, C9-L antibody exhibited a diffuse cytoplasmic staining in neurons, and labeled large speckles in cerebellar Purkinje cells. In contrast, C9-S antibody gave very specific labeling of the nuclear membrane in healthy neurons, with apparent re-localization to the plasma membrane of diseased motor neurons in ALS. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed an interaction of the C9-isoforms with both Importin β1 and Ran-GTPase, components of the nuclear pore complex.

INTERPRETATION:

Using these antibodies, we have shown that C9orf72 may be involved in nucleocytoplasmic shuttling and this may have relevance to pathophysiology of ALS/FTLD. Our antibodies have provided improved detection of C9orf72 protein isoforms, which will help elucidate its physiological function and role in ALS/FTLD. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

SOURCE

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26174152

 

Journal Reference:

  1. Shangxi Xiao, Laura MacNair, Philip McGoldrick, Paul M McKeever, Jesse R McLean, Ming Zhang, Julia Keith, Lorne Zinman, Ekaterina Rogaeva, Janice Robertson. Isoform Specific Antibodies Reveal Distinct Subcellular Localizations of C9orf72 in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.Annals of Neurology, 2015; DOI: 10.1002/ana.24469

University of Toronto research team has discovered new details about a key gene involved in ALS, perhaps humanity’s most puzzling, intractable disease.

In this fatal disorder with no effective treatment options, scientists (including members of U of T) achieved a major breakthrough in 2011 when they discovered mutations in the gene C9orf72, as the most frequent genetic cause of ALS and frontotemporal dementia. But little was known about how this gene and its related protein worked in the cell.

To solve this problem, Professor Janice Robertson and her team at the Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases developed novel antibodies that not only specifically detected C9orf72 in human tissues, but could also distinguish between both the long and short isoforms.

“Using these antibodies we have made the remarkable discovery that C9orf72 is localized to the nuclear membrane in healthy neurons, but is mislocalized to the plasma (outer membrane) in diseased neurons,” says Robertson, whose research was published July 14 online in the journal Annals of Neurology.

Robertson and her team also showed that C9orf72 directly interacts with components of the nuclear shuttling complex, which is responsible for the movement of proteins across the nuclear membrane. One such protein is TDP-43, which normally resides in the nucleus but is wrongly localized to the cytoplasm in diseased neurons in ALS. TDP-43 accumulation and aggregation in the cytoplasm diagnoses most ALS cases — but the link with C9orf72 was absent.

Now through the use of the C9orf72 antibodies the Robertson lab has found that loss of C9orf72 from the nuclear membrane correlates with TDP-43 pathology. These results suggest that defects in C9orf72 affect the proper functioning of the nuclear shuttling complex, resulting in TDP-43 build up in the cytoplasm.

“We’ve discovered a link between the genetic cause of ALS and its pathology that appears to be important for all cases, not just familial ones,” says Robertson, a Canada Research Chair in ALS. “The possible involvement of C9orf72 in the shuttling between nucleus and cytoplasm opens intriguing new avenues of research into the causes of ALS — and hopefully, one day an effective treatment or cure.”

SOURCE

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/07/150715122405.htm

 

 

Journal Reference:

  1. Shangxi Xiao, Laura MacNair, Philip McGoldrick, Paul M McKeever, Jesse R McLean, Ming Zhang, Julia Keith, Lorne Zinman, Ekaterina Rogaeva, Janice Robertson. Isoform Specific Antibodies Reveal Distinct Subcellular Localizations of C9orf72 in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.Annals of Neurology, 2015; DOI: 10.1002/ana.24469

2015 4th TERMIS World Congress, September 8-11, 2015, Boston Marriott Copley Place

Reporter: Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN

PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE
The Evolution of Regenerative Medicine

Welcome to the 2015 TERMIS World Congress Site! The theme for the 2015 TERMIS World Congress is “Past, Present Future: The Evolution of Regenerative Medicine,” reflecting the impact of tissue engineering throughout the past two decades, and focusing on the future. To this end, the 2015 scientific program will focus on the innovative technologies focused in regenerative medicine.

The TERMIS World Congress Meeting is held every three years, and brings together researchers, scientists, trainees, and students from both academia and industry to discuss critical developments in the field. The meeting is led by keynote speakers each day, and consists of parallel technical sessions as well as poster presentations. A strong role in the meeting planning and execution will be played by the TERMIS Student and Young Investigator Section (SYIS). Furthermore, there will be an emphasis on promoting the careers of women and underrepresented groups in the tissue engineering and regenerative medicine fields.

We hope to see you in Boston, MA!

AGENDA

http://www.termis.org/wc2015/output.php?a=glance_large.jpg

2015 TERMIS World Congress Keynote Speakers

Anthony Atala, MD
Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine

Robert S. Langer
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Jeong Ok Grace Lim, Ph.D
Kyungpook National University

Laura E. Niklason, M.D., Ph.D
Yale University

Molly Stevens, FREng
Imperial College London

C. James Kirkpatrick, MD PhD DSc FRCPath
Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany
University of Gothenburg, Sweden

The Tissue Engineering-Developmental Biology paradigm – a tool for developing successful therapies

Tuesday, September 8th from 11:45 am – 3:45 pm

Room Location: TBD

Workshop Co-chairs: Girish Pattappa and Oliver Gardner

Workshop organisers: Girish Pattappa (INSERM U791, University of Nantes, France) and Oliver Gardner (AO Research Institute, Switzerland)

Workshop Registration Fee: $100.00 USD

Speakers: Dr. April Craft (Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA), Dr. Atanas Todorov (University Hospital Basel, Switzerland), Dr. Niamh Nowlan (Imperial College, UK)

Tissue Engineering has become a well-established research field over the past two decades. However, despite advances in this research, basic principles still need to be addressed to ensure that successful clinical treatments can be developed. Fundamental to this approach is an understanding of the embryogenesis and development of the tissue being repaired or regenerated. Recent developments in orthopaedic tissue engineering have sought to replicate these processes for use in vitro, e.g. endochondral ossification for long bone development. The use of approaches with a developmental biology grounding may also be applicable with more primitive stem cell types, in particular, embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). This symposia seeks to draw expertise from researchers who have used applied developmental biology approaches for their work and seeks to show how this can lead to positive outcomes for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Workshop Program (Provisional):

1145 Introduction by co-chairs for workshop (GP/OG)

1200-1245 Workshop speaker 1: Dr. April Craft (Human ESCs and cartilage tissue engineering)

1245 Q and A

1255 Lunch break/networking session – Food and Drink provided

1340-1425 Workshop speaker 2: Dr. Atanas Todorov (Bone tissue engineering via endochondral ossification)

1425 Q and A

1435-1510 Workshop speaker 3: Dr. Niamh Nowlan (Developmental biomechanics of the prenatal skeleton)

1510 Q and A

1520 Summation of workshop by co-chairs (GP/OG)

EXHIBITORS

  • Baker
  • BioMed Central
  • Bruker Corporation
  • CELLINK by APTAB
  • Cellscale Biomaterials Testing
  • Collagen Solutions
  • CRC Press/ Taylor & Francis
  • Cyfuse Biomedical K.K.
  • EBERS Medical
  • Elsevier
  • Envision TEC
  • Flexcell
  • Harvard Apparatus Regenerative Technology Inc.
  • IFATS
  • IOP Publishing
  • Kyungpook National University Hospital, Bio-Medical Institute, Joint Institute for Regenerative Medicine
  • Lifecore Biomedical
  • MAL (Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Publishers)
  • McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine
  • Oxford Optronix Ltd.
  • Perimed Inc.
  • PreSens Precision Sensing GmbH
  • REGENHU Ltd.
  • RoosterBio Inc
  • Spraybase
  • Springer
  • StemBioSys
  • STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.
  • TA Instruments (formerly Bose)
  • Takasago Fluidic Systems
  • Tissue Source
  • TissueGen, Inc.
  • Wake Forest

TERMIS-WC 2015

Conference Gala

Attendees of the 2015 TERMIS-World Congress will enjoy an evening at the Boston Museum of Science. The event will provide food and beverage by Wolfgang Puck Catering. In addition, attendees will have exclusive use of the entire museum, including the Theater of Electricity and Hall of Human Life. Be sure to join us for networking, socializing, awards and fun!

Tickets for paid registrants are included in the registration fee.

For guests of accompanying registrants, purchase tickets online for $150.00 USD. Exhibitors also may purchase tickets to the Gala. Click Here to register and purchase Gala Tickets!

Location: Boston Museum of Science
Address: 1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114
Date & Time: Thursday, September 10, 2015, 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Visit: Boston Museum of Science Website: http://www.mos.org/

TERMIS World Congress Student & Young Investigator Section (SYIS)
2015 Program

Sign Up BELOW for the Student and Young Investigator Activities!

Student Co-Chairing (throughout the conference) – FULL

The TERMIS SYIS chapters are pleased to announce the opportunity for students and young investigators to serve as co-chairs for scientific sessions at the 2015 TERMIS World Congress Meeting in Boston. This one-of-a-kind event provides a unique platform for students and young investigators to co-chair sessions with leading scientists and get first-hand experience moderating scientific discussions. At previous meetings, this event has been hugely popular, and we hope to see several of you co-chairing sessions at this year’s meeting. Please use the sign-up sheet below to register for this event. We look forward to seeing you in Boston!

Student Meet Mentor Lunch (Thursday, September 10th at 11:30-1:00)

Thursday, September 10th
11:30 am – 1:00 pm

TERMIS-AM SYIS is pleased to host the Student Meet Mentor Lunch on Thursday, September 10th at lunch during the 2015 TERMIS World Congress Meeting. The Student Meet Mentor Lunch gives students and young investigators the opportunity to enjoy an invigorating lunch with a mentor of your choice. Mentors include session chairs, members of the Scientific Advisory Committee, and local industry leaders. Please use the sign-up sheet below to register for this event, and check back later for the list of mentors. We look forward to seeing you in Boston!

Career Opportunities Discussion Panel (Wednesday, September 9th at

Wednesday, September 9th
12:00 pm- 1:00 pm

The TERMIS SYIS chapters are pleased to host the Career Opportunities Discussion Panel on Wednesday, September 9th at the 2015 TERMIS World Congress Meeting in Boston. This discussion panel will consist of scientific leaders representing careers in academia, industry, government agencies and institutes and entrepreneurial activities. This is a great opportunity for students and young investigators to hear these experienced scientists discussing their own career paths, the opportunities and challenges of their chosen career, and providing advice on how you can achieve your career goals. This interactive panel is designed to facilitate open discussion, and to allow students and young investigators to have their questions answered by the panel and other attendees. At previous meetings, this event has been very beneficial for students and young investigators thinking about pursuing a career in any of these fields. Please use the sign-up sheet below to register for this event. We look forward to seeing you in Boston!

SYIS Opening Reception

Tuesday, September 8th
6:00 pm- 8:00 pm

TERMIS SYIS will be holding an Opening Reception on the evening of Tuesday, September 8th to celebrate the opening of the 2015 TERMIS World Congress Meeting in Boston. The SYIS reception is open to all students and young investigators and will be a fun evening to kick-off the TERMIS-WC meeting. This event is an opportunity to catch up with friends and meet other young scientists while enjoying food and drinks. We will also hold our annual business meeting and discuss the purpose and goals of the SYIS chapters for the 2015 conference, as well provide information on the upcoming SYIS events. Please use the sign-up sheet below to register for this event, and check back later for additional details.

Student Poster Awards (Presented at the Awards Ceremony on Friday, September 11th at 7:00 AM) and Presentation Awards (Presented at the Closing Ceremony on September 11th at 2:00)

Cash prizes will be handed out again this year for the best posters and best oral presentations among students and young investigators. This is your chance to achieve special recognition among your peers and to earn some bonus winnings for your research efforts and success. You will be notified in the coming weeks if your abstract was selected for the award sessions.

SOURCE

http://www.termis.org/wc2015/index.php

20th Software Design for Medical Devices Summit this October 26 – 28 in Boston

Reporter: Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN

Unlock IQPC’s knowledge toolbox and learn more from our recent interview with Brian Nantz, Senior Software Engineer at GE Healthcare one of our speakers at the 20th Software Design for Medical Devices Summit this October 26 – 28 in Boston.

 

www.SDMDConference.com 

Event Brochure

http://www.sdmdconference.com/media/1001866/1001866_Brochure.pdf

>> Exclusive Interview

Meet Our Speakers – Part One

In this interview Brian discusses:

• New and emerging technologies that he thinks will have a major impact on medical device software

• The biggest benefits of converting applications for mobile use

• The biggest challenges of mobile enabling applications

• and more!

Download the interview | Request a copy via email 

 

To hear more from Brian, attend his session on ‘Medical Devices in a Big Data World‘ at 4:00pm on Main Conference Day 1 (Wednesday, October 28, 2015). Download the agenda for more information on this session and the other sessions from GE Healthcare, Maquet USA, Medtronic, Greatbatch, Systelabs, Baxter International Inc., and many more.

 save up to $400! Register Online | Via Email | Call 1-800-882-8684

 

I look forward to seeing you in Boston this fall!

Warm Regards,

Dionne Vaz

Senior Marketing Manager

www.SDMDConference.com 

http://www.sdmdconference.com/media/1001866/48286.pdf

SOURCE

From: Dionne Vaz <enquiryIQPC@iqpc.com> on behalf of Dionne Vaz <enquiryIQPC@iqpc.com>

Reply-To: Dionne Vaz <enquiryIQPC@iqpc.com>

Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at 1:16 PM

To: Aviva Lev-Ari <AvivaLev-Ari@alum.berkeley.edu>

Subject: Exclusive Interview with GE Healthcare on Medical Devices

Subcutaneous Neuromodulation System (SNS) and Implantable ElectroAcupuncture Device (IEAD): Emerging Alternatives to ED Treatment

Reporter: Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN

Electroacupuncture Implant Treats Erectile Dysfunction

Mon, 07/20/2015 – 9:03am

Melissa Fassbender, Editor, PD&D, @melfass

 

Valencia Technologies Corporation, a medical technology corporation, currently holds a patent for subcutaneous neuromodulation system (SNS), which emits a low-powered electrical stimulus that communicates with the brain to help regulate blood pressure.

Building on this technology, the company has now been assigned a patent for an implantable electroacupuncture device (IEAD) for treating erectile dysfunction.

The device is coin-sized, self-contained, leadless, and has at least two electrodes attached to an outside surface of its housing. It works by applying electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation pulses at various “target tissue locations.”

According to the patent, “The device generates stimulation pulses in accordance with a specified stimulation regimen. Power management circuitry within the device allows a primary battery, having a high internal impedance, to be used to power the device.”

Its low duty cycle and power management allow the IEAD to perform its intended function for several years – meaning no more pills.

SOURCE:

http://www.mdtmag.com/news/2015/07/electroacupuncture-implant-treats-erectile-dysfunction?et_cid=4684419&et_rid=461755519&type=cta

 

Current And Future Applications – Valencia Technologies Corporation

  • Hypertension
  • Pain
  • Depression
  • Schizophrenia
  • Vascular Dementia
  • Heart Failure
  • Erectile Dysfunction

http://valenciatechnologies.com/?

impedance characteristics, and applies current at a low duty cycle. The patent applications are trying to protect the use of the basic technology described as the stimulation of nerves X and Y to address chronic condition Z.  The chronic conditions for protection are hypertension, heart failure, coronary artery disease, angina,myocardial ischemia, Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, obesity, dyslipidemia, depression, schizophrenia, post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, erectile dysfunction, and chronic low back pain. For its invention, Valencia holds seven issued U.S. patents and ten patent applications under review by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

 

SOURCE

http://valenciatechnologies.com/patents/

Carotid ultrasound maximum plaque height: A sensitive imaging biomarker for the assessment of significant coronary artery disease

Reporter: Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN

 

 

Echocardiography

Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.mdlinx.com

See on Scoop.itCardiovascular and vascular imaging

Wherefore Goes the Laboratory?

Larry H. Bernstein, MD, FCAP

Writer and Curatorthat both public and private payers develop clear and consistent evidence criteria for payment of

http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2015/7/17/larryhbern/Wherefore_Goes_the_Laboratory?

 

Pharmaceuticals and Diagnostics are becoming more integrated in terms of payment initiatives

We have already seen the impetus for targeted-design of drugs. However, how this plays out in the complex world of personalized-medicine remains to be seen.  Certainly, the genomics of cancer and other diseases has been a matter of continuing investigation, and is not clear with respect to patient management.  The American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) has issued a position statement on Personalized Medicine, emphasizing the role of laboratory medicine in the delivery of Personalized Medicine (PM).  The AACC stresses the need for Congressional funding for basic and clinical research in the field of PM tests. Important in this view is  the need to develop evidence based criteria for the reimbursement of companion diagnostics. In addition, the recommendation urges that laboratory professionals become more engaged in educating physicians about the availability of and limitations of PM tests, and to partner with other  healthcare professionals.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) has issued new data on the cost savings of accountable care oganizations (ACOs).    The American Hospital Association Senior Vice President Linda Fishman calls attention to the need for the CMS to make the program more attractive to new and current participants. CMS announced in May that the Office of the Actuary found the Pioneer ACO model geberated more than $384 million in savings to Medicare over the first two years of the program while continuing to provide high-quality care.

An important issue, quite easily overlooked, is the importance of the restructuring of the electronic health record (EHR) to accomplish this task. There are unresolved issues that need serious attention:

1. The EHR needs to be functionally more than just a repository for data.

It has to be linked to multivariable algorithms that parse the data in real time, and thereby assist physicians in decision-making.  This would be essential for a population-based model for value-based payments by Medicare and all providers in the next several years, in accordance with the Affordable Care Act.

2. The EHR has to be accessible to all of the providers of care to the patient, and the information also protected from intrusion.  This means that if a patient has cancer, and is also diabetic, and has for example, rheumatoid arthritis, the data has to be available to all providers actively engaged in treatment. This might be the endocrinologist, a primary care physician, a rheumatologist, radiologist, and oncologist. This is not by any means a consideration in the current design of the EHR.

3. The access to laboratory and pharmacy data must be seamless, which has not been the case.

If these considerations were considered in a patient-focused design of the EHR, the benefits would almost certainly accrue.  I call attention to the fact that there are ongoing medical studies and pertinent findings that could also contribute to the quality of care, but these might take some time to be incorporated into an evidence-based program going forward.

Clin Lab News July 2015; 41(7). AACC
bmalone@aacc.org

 

 

UNDERSTANDING CANCER AT THE GENETIC LEVEL: STANFORD GENETICS AND GENOMICS CERTIFICATE

Reporter: Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN

 

 

UNDERSTANDING CANCER AT THE GENETIC LEVEL

VIEW VIDEO

http://online.stanford.edu/course/understanding-cancer-genetic-level

 

 

Date:
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Course topic:

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Genetic research has been instrumental in developing leading methods used to understand the nature and scope of cancer syndromes. With improved cancer diagnosis and targeted therapies for treatment, the discovery of changes in genes and their expression characteristics will continue to advance as a field.

Study the signaling pathways of common and rare genetic mutations involved in cancer. This course will expose you to the cutting-edge research that offers attractive development for new anti-cancer drugs and therapeutic strategies. From the differences between sporadic and familial cancers to systemic and targeted level treatment studies, you will learn the history of cancer and how it shaped society and research today.

YOU WILL LEARN

  • Current methods involved in cancer research
  • Differences between multiple classes of genetic mutations
  • Progressions of tumorigenesis in minor genome changes
  • Targeted therapies for the latest cancer treatments

PLEASE NOTE: THIS COURSE IS OFFERED TOWARDS THE STANFORD GENETICS AND GENOMICS CERTIFICATE.*

Take online courses in genetics and genomics and gain a greater understanding of biology, human health and personalized medicine. Tap into the world-class research of Stanford faculty and industry experts to acquire the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in the rapidly evolving genetics industry.

*This certificate neither substitutes for, nor leads to, being board certified as a genetic counselor (ABGC) or clinical geneticist (ABMG)

SOURCE

http://online.stanford.edu/course/understanding-cancer-genetic-level

Genetic Testing for Hereditary Cancer Risk @Stanford

Reporter: Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN

 

 

Genetic Testing for Hereditary Cancer Risk

With James Ford, MD – 50 Min.

VIEW VIDEO

https://cancer.stanford.edu/media/video/genetic_testing.html