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More drugs implicated in fungal meningitis outbreak

Posted: Published on October 16th, 2012

The FDA is urging doctors who administer any injectable product, drug used in eye surgery or cardiac solution, to contact their patients out of an abundance of caution. NBC's Lisa Myers reports. By Maggie Fox, NBC News Two more drugs have been implicated in the ongoing outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to contaminated pain injections, federal health officials said Monday. Both come from the same pharmacy, New England Compounding Center, that distributed the steroids suspected of sickening at least 214 people and killing 15 of them, the Food and Drug Administration said in a statement. One is a steroid called triamcinolone acetonide and another is a product used during heart surgery. While the FDA hasnt confirmed that the two products are to blame, its issued a warning. A patient with possible meningitis potentially associated with epidural injection of an additional NECC product, triamcinolone acetonide, has been identified through active surveillance and reported to FDA, the agency said in a statement. Triamcinolone acetonide is a type of steroid injectable product made by NECC. The cases of meningitis identified to date have been associated with methylprednisolone acetate, another similar steroid injectable product. Both can be injected into the spine. The FDA didn't … Continue reading →

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Pharmacy's other drugs may be causing illness

Posted: Published on October 16th, 2012

This undated photo made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a branch of the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. The fungus can also cause skin infections if it enters a break in the skin. The meningitis outbreak is linked to the fungus being accidentally injected into people as a contaminant in steroid treatments. It's not clear how the fungus got into the medicine. NEW YORK -- Two more drugs from a specialty pharmacy linked to a meningitis outbreak now are being investigated, U.S. health officials said, as they urged doctors to contact patients who got any kind of injection from the company. The New England Compounding Center of Framingham, Mass., has been under scrutiny since last month, when a rare fungal form of meningitis was linked to its steroid shots used mostly for back pain. Monday's step by the Food and Drug Administration followed two developments. One was a report of a meningitis illness in a patient who got another type of steroid made by the company. The agency also learned of two heart transplant patients who got fungal infections after being given a third product from the company during surgery. The illnesses are under investigation, and it's … Continue reading →

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Pharmacy offers personal touch

Posted: Published on October 16th, 2012

Home Business Loading Published: 10/16/2012 BY JON CHAVEZ BLADE BUSINESS WRITER It isnt that she prefers doing things the hard way, but its probably fair to say that Najwa Kassem, all 5-foot-2 of her, has never backed down from the many challenges that have come her way. Growing up in her native Lebanon, there was pressure to settle down and marry and not pursue a career. Instead, she went to school and became a pharmacist. Later, she wanted to start her own pharmacy in her town of Baalbeck, but everyone cautioned her that in Baalbeck a conservative, traditional city whose roots date back 9,000 years women do not own businesses. Its very unusual for a woman to own her own business there, Mrs. Kassem said. There were seven other pharmacies and all of them were run by males. I was told, This is a big challenge for you, a girl, in this area, with seven other guys. I dont think youre going to stand a chance. Undeterred, she started her own pharmacy, which became very successful and was destined to remain that way until 1995 when she met a visiting American, Jamil Kassem. A whirlwind romance ensued, and after a … Continue reading →

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FDA: Pharmacy's other drugs may be causing illness

Posted: Published on October 16th, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) Two more drugs from a specialty pharmacy linked to a meningitis outbreak are now being investigated, U.S. health officials said, as they urged doctors to contact patients who got any kind of injection from the company. The New England Compounding Center of Framingham, Mass., has been under scrutiny since last month, when a rare fungal form of meningitis was linked to its steroid shots used mostly for back pain. Monday's step by the Food and Drug Administration followed reports of infections in three people who got different drugs made by the company. One is a possible meningitis illness in a patient who got a spine injection of another type of steroid. The agency also learned of two heart transplant patients who got fungal infections after being given a third company product during surgery. The illnesses are under investigation, and it's very possible the heart patients were infected by another source, FDA officials cautioned. They did not say whether the meningitis case involved a fungal infection or where the three patients lived. As of Monday, the current outbreak has sickened 214 people, including 15 who have died, in 15 states. For weeks, officials have been urging doctors to … Continue reading →

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University of Maryland School of Medicine scientists develop stem cell model for hereditary disease

Posted: Published on October 16th, 2012

Public release date: 15-Oct-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Karen Robinson karobinson@som.umaryland.edu 410-706-7590 University of Maryland Medical Center A new method of using adult stem cells as a model for the hereditary condition Gaucher disease could help accelerate the discovery of new, more effective therapies for this and other conditions such as Parkinson's, according to new research from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Scientists at the University of Maryland School of Medicine reprogrammed stem cells to develop into cells that are genetically similar to and react to drugs in a similar way as cells from patients with Gaucher disease. The stem cells will allow the scientists to test potential new therapies in a dish, accelerating the process toward drug discovery, according to the paper published online in the journal the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on Oct. 15 (Panicker et.al.). The study was funded with $1.7 million in grants from the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund; researchers received a start-up grant for $200,000 in 2007 and a larger, five-year grant for $1.5 million in 2009. "We have created a model for all three types of Gaucher disease, and used stem cell-based tests to … Continue reading →

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Realizing the potential of stem cell therapy

Posted: Published on October 16th, 2012

Public release date: 15-Oct-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Kat Snodgrass 202-962-4090 Society for Neuroscience NEW ORLEANS New animal studies provide additional support for investigating stem cell treatments for Parkinson's disease, head trauma, and dangerous heart problems that accompany spinal cord injury, according to research findings released today. The work, presented at Neuroscience 2012, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience and the world's largest source of emerging news about brain science and health, shows scientists making progress toward using stem cell therapies to repair neurological damage. The studies focused on using stem cells to produce neurons essential, message-carrying cells in the brain and spinal cord. The loss of neurons and the connections they make for controlling critical bodily functions are the chief hallmarks of brain and spinal cord injuries and of neurodegenerative afflictions such as Parkinson's disease and ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Today's new findings show that: Other recent findings discussed show that: "As the fields of developmental and regenerative neuroscience mature, important progress is being made to begin to translate the promise of stem cell therapy into meaningful treatments for a range of well-defined neurological problems," said press conference … Continue reading →

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LABS, Inc. Innovates, Expands Rapid Testing Portfolio to Better Serve Clientele Producing Complex Biologic Products

Posted: Published on October 16th, 2012

CENTENNIAL, Colo., Oct. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --LABS, Inc., a global, full-service testing laboratory with more than 30 years of expertise in regulated testing for human organs, cells, tissues and implantable biologic products and devices, today announced the launch of two new laboratory tests suitable for screening complex biologic products. A new rapid microbial screening assay will allow LABS to determine the presence of microbial contamination within a biologic sample several days before the traditional culture methods. Additionally, new flow cytometry quality control panels allow LABS to determine the identity and purity of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) products. "We are very excited to launch these two new assays, which will give our clients close to real-time results on the quality and composition of their complex biologic products," said Chad Ronholdt, Vice President Strategic of Development at LABS, Inc. "Our research and development team is committed to developing and launching innovative rapid biologic services, which are propelling LABS to the forefront of the regulated testing market for complex biologics." LABS' new cutting-edge testing solutions launch this month: This new suite of tests also gives LABS clients the ability to choose from a list of more than 20 different cell markers to create … Continue reading →

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University of Missouri Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Selects Prometheus Research to …

Posted: Published on October 15th, 2012

NEW HAVEN, Conn., Oct. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Prometheus Research, a leading provider of integrated data management services for behavioral and biomedical research, announced today that it has been selected by the University of Missouri to support the data management initiatives of their Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Prometheus Research will leverage the technology already in place from their mutual involvement in the Simons Simplex Collection (SSC) to create an integrated data management system. The new system will support research beyond the SSC in Missouri. The Thompson Center currently supports over 30 studies pertaining to the identification and treatment of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders.As a data management services client, the Thompson Center receives support from Prometheus in every major dimension of data management including data collection, data quality reporting, query definition, data integration, and data set generation. Prometheus provides the flexibility to ramp up or ramp down service levels on a quarterly basis. "We're very excited to be working with yet another prestigious institution participating in multidisciplinary and collaborative research. We look forward to helping the Autism Research Core make new discoveries related to ASD and neurodevelopmental disorders," said COO David Voccola. About Prometheus Research Prometheus Research's … Continue reading →

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Hollywood’s Hottest Stars and Philanthropists to Attend ACT Today!’s 7th Annual Denim & Diamonds for Autism Fundraiser …

Posted: Published on October 15th, 2012

ACT Today!'s 7th Annual Denim & Diamonds for Autism fundraiser benefits children with autism whose families cannot afford the necessary tools their children need to reach their highest potential. Malibu, CA (PRWEB) October 15, 2012 Special tributes will be given to actor Joe Mantegna (Criminal Minds), television executive Steve Mauldin (KCBS 2/KCAL 9) and community activist Kathleen Sternbach for their tireless efforts raising autism awareness. Confirmed celebrities include actor Joe Mantegna, 2012 ACTivist Honoree ("Criminal Minds"), televisions executive Steve Mauldin, 2012 ACTivist Honoree, KCBS 2/ KCAL 9 GM/President, Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Brian McKnight, actor Shemar Moore ("Criminal Minds"), actor David Hasselhoff ("Baywatch"), actor Thomas Gibson ("Criminal Minds"), actress Jean Smart ("Hope Springs"), actress Vivica A. Fox ("Raising Hope" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm"), actor Richard Gilliland ("Torchwood"), actress Bonnie Hunt ("Cheaper By the Dozen", "Jerry Maguire"), actress AJ Cook ("Criminal Minds"), actress Ariel Winter ("Modern Family"), actor Nolan Gould ("Modern Family") actor Mark Christopher Lawrence ("Chuck"), television host Tom Bergeron ("Dancing with the Stars"), television executive Vin Di Bona (Vin Di Bona Productions), actor Erik Fellows ("Days of Our Lives"), actress Joey King ("Crazy, Stupid Love", "Ramona and Beezus"), actress Hunter King ("Young and Restless"), actor Erik Braeden ("Young and Restless"). … Continue reading →

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Questions over ambulance trips to stroke unit

Posted: Published on October 15th, 2012

Health chiefs have denied claims from Darlington councillors that stroke patients are being taken to the wrong hospital 8:00am Monday 15th October 2012 in News By Barry Nelson, Health Editor AMBULANCE officials have denied taking stroke patients to the wrong hospital. Councillors from Darlington have called for talks with ambulance chiefs after complaints that some stroke patients are being taken by ambulance to Darlington Memorial Hospital rather than the new stroke unit at the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City. It follows the closure of the stroke treatment unit in Darlington in January and the centralising of acute stroke treatment at the Durham City hospital. The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) told The Northern Echo that they were willing to meet councillors to discuss their concerns but said a check of their recent records showed no record of patients being taken to the wrong hospital in Darlington. At a recent meeting of Darlington Borough Councils health scrutiny committee, Councillor Tony Richmond said councillors had heard horror stories of patients being dumped in Darlington rather than being taken to the North Durham stroke unit. Councillors on the committee are now happy about the way the new stroke unit is … Continue reading →

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