OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Transgenomic, Inc. (OTCBB: TBIO.OB - News) today announced the publication of a new study by researchers at Vanderbilt University that further validates the role of both genes found in the Companys PGxPredict:CLOPIDOGREL (Plavix) Panel, a comprehensive test to predict a patients response to clopidogrel (Plavix). The study confirms the results of two previous studies demonstrating that outcomes in patients receiving clopidogrel were better for patients without genetic variations in CYP2C19, a gene whose effect is described in the drugs label, and ABCB1, a gene that is unique to Transgenomics panel and is covered by issued and pending patents owned by Transgenomic. The results were published by Delaney, et al., in the February issue of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. The effectiveness of clopidogrel, the most widely prescribed antiplatelet drug used to reduce the risks of death, stroke, and heart attack in heart disease patients, is dependent on CYP2C19, a gene that codes for an enzyme responsible for metabolizing clopidogrel into its active form. As a result, patients with a dysfunctional variation in CYP2C19 who are treated with clopidogrel exhibit higher cardiovascular event rates than do patients with normal CYP2C19 function. The seriousness of this problem prompted the FDA … Continue reading →

Campaign Focuses On How Families Can "Light It Up Blue" To Raise Autism Awareness Across Canada TORONTO, March 1, 2012 /CNW/ - Toys"R"Us, Canada today announced the launch of its in-store and online fundraising campaign to benefit Autism Speaks, North America's largest autism science and advocacy organization. Now through Monday, April 30, Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us stores will offer customers an Autism Speaks puzzle piece in exchange for a $1 donation. Monetary donations will be collected at all 73 stores (including Express locations) across the country and online at Toysrus.ca. The company is heightening its focus on autism awareness, unveiling a new theme for the 2012 campaign, "Shine A Light For Autism." "With so many children affected by autism and not enough known about causes or cures, we hope that our fundraising and awareness campaigns can contribute to solving the autism puzzle," said Kevin Macnab, President, Toys"R"Us Canada. "Through our ongoing partnership, the "R"Us family remains committed to helping Autism Speaks and the critical work they do in supporting families affected by autism spectrum disorders." Shining A Light For Autism In-store and online During the campaign, customers can contribute a cash donation at all Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us locations, including Express locations, … Continue reading →

Amarillo, TX - Minority children with autism may not be getting the treatment they need. About one in every 110 children in the United States is diagnosed with autism every year, but some worry minority children are not diagnosed as fast. According to new studies, white children are more likely to be diagnosed before blacks, Hispanics and Asians, and often minorities are misdiagnosed. Doctor Angela Huang, a local developmental pediatrician says there may be reasons for the delay in diagnosing certain children. "It can happen sometimes, there may be multiple, different factors going into that. Some of it may be that they are not being detected as often or people have more difficulty getting access to care," said Dr. Huang. Some of the warning signs of autism include, avoiding eye contact, wanting to play alone and not speaking very much. If you notice these signs, Dr. Huang says to get your child tested and into an early intervention program. Read the original here: Autism diagnoses may be different … Continue reading →

WAYNE, N.J., March 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Toys"R"Us, Inc. today announced the launch of its two month in-store fundraising campaign to benefit Autism Speaks, the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization. Now through Monday, April 30, monetary donations will be collected at all Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us stores and online at Toysrus.com/AutismSpeaks. The company is increasing its focus on autism awareness, unveiling a new theme, "Shine A Light For Autism." The campaign incorporates aspects of the Autism Speaks "Light It Up Blue" initiative, in which prominent buildings and landmarks around the world are lighted blue to commemorate World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. The Toys"R"Us campaign offers some fun, simple ideas to help people "go blue" to demonstrate their concern for a disorder that impacts thousands children and families. To help "Shine A Light For Autism," Toysrus.com/AutismSpeaks offers information about autism, as well as ways families can "Light It Up Blue." In addition, a special app on Facebook.com/Toysrus will help fans give their profile picture a blue hue. "Since our partnership with Autism Speaks began six years ago, our customers and employees have embraced this cause, helping us contribute more than $12 million and assisting the organization in reaching … Continue reading →

The Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) will host Where Do I Go from Here? a seminar on autism for parents, Saturday, March 10, 2012 in Fairport, New York. Rochester, New York (PRWEB) February 29, 2012 Parents who have or suspect their children are on the autism spectrum will gain knowledge of research-based effective treatments which can increase their childrens skill set and assist in reducing problem behaviors, says CARD Rochester Managing Supervisor Denise Rhine, MS, ED, BCBA. It will also allow them to see the most recent technological advances encompassing effective programs for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in every 110 children in America is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, making autism more prevalent than pediatric cancer, juvenile diabetes and childhood AIDS combined. Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder that is marked by the presence of impaired social interaction and communication and a restricted repertoire of activities and interests. Children with autism show a great variance of symptoms, ranging from severe impairment in the use of nonverbal behaviors that regulate social interaction to a failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to age. Their impairment in communication … Continue reading →

London, Mar 1 (ANI): Scientists have come up with an experimental drug that holds promise for protecting the brain against the detrimental effects of a stroke. This drug has been in development for a few years. At this point, it has reached the most advanced stage of development among drugs created to reduce the brain's vulnerability to stroke damage (termed a "neuroprotectant"). Over 1000 attempts to develop such drugs by scientists worldwide have failed to be translated to a stage where they can be used in humans, leaving a major unmet need for stroke treatment. The drug developed by the scientists at the Toronto Western Research Institute (TWRI), Krembil Neuroscience Center, is the first to achieve a neuroprotective effect in the complex brain of primates, in settings that simulate those of human strokes. ischemic stroke. The new study shows how the drug, called a "PSD95 inhibitor" prevents brain cell death and preserves brain function when administered after a stroke has occurred. "We are closer to having a treatment for stroke than we have ever been before," said Dr. Michael Tymianski, TWRI Senior Scientist and the study's lead author. "Stroke is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide and we … Continue reading →

Toronto, March 1 (IANS) In a lab setting experiment, Scientists have perfected a cutting-edge drug to protect the brain against the damaging effects of a stroke, thus accelerating the process to reduce thousands of stroke-related deaths. Over 1,000 attempts to develop such drugs worldwide have failed to be translated to a stage where they can be used in humans, leaving a major unmet need for stroke treatment. Stroke deprives brain regions of blood and oxygen, which causes a complex sequence of chemical reactions in the brain, leading to neurological (nerve or brain cell) impairment, paralysis or death. Developed by the Toronto Western Research Institute (TWRI), the drug is the first to achieve a neuroprotective effect in the complex brain of primates, in settings that simulate those of human strokes, the journal Nature reports. Their study shows how the drug, called a "PSD95 inhibitor" prevents brain cell death and preserves brain function when administered after a stroke, according to a TWRI statement. "We are closer to having a treatment for stroke than we have ever been before. These findings are extremely exciting and our next step is to confirm these results in a clinical trial," said a jubilant Michael Tymianski, TWRI … Continue reading →

TORONTO - Newly reported Canadian research is holding out hope that a treatment for minimizing the damage done by the most common type of stroke could be on the horizon. A Toronto-based research team is reporting that an experimental drug significantly reduced brain damage and post-stroke impairment when used in macaque monkeys in which strokes were induced. The report, in the journal Nature, makes no reference to use of the drugs in humans. But at an international stroke conference in New Orleans in early February, the team presented preliminary data of a Phase II human trial in which the drug was reported to be "quite favourable." Larger and more expensive Phase III trials are needed to gain regulatory approval to bring drugs to market. The new report, which lays out data from a series of experiments in monkeys, is being greeted with enthusiasm laced with a heavy dose of caution. Researchers have tried for over half a century to find a drug or therapy to protect the brain from the cascade of damage seen after an ischemic stroke, the type caused by a blockage of blood to the brain. About 85 per cent of strokes are the result of clots … Continue reading →