The Track-Kit system will give vital SAEK information to more than 1,200 users at medical facilities, law enforcement agencies, crime laboratories, and attorney’s offices, and, most importantly, will be available to every sexual assault survivor.

OTTAWA, Ontario (PRWEB)
November 12, 2019

STACS DNA, the sample-tracking software company, today announced that the State of Iowa has selected Track-Kit for its sexual assault forensic evidence kit (SAEK) tracking and reporting system. The system will be rolled out to all regions of the state by July 1, 2020. Iowa will be the seventh state for which STACS DNA has implemented Track-Kit for rape kit tracking.

“We are pleased to play a part in delivering sexual assault kit tracking to the citizens of Iowa,” says Jocelyn Tremblay, President and COO, STACS DNA. “We can help them get up and running very quickly and securely to provide vital information to all users across the state.”

The Track-Kit system will give vital SAEK information to more than 1,200 users at medical facilities, law enforcement agencies, crime laboratories, and attorney’s offices. Most importantly, it will be available to every sexual assault survivor, confidentially providing them with the status and location of their kit as well as local sexual assault resources and contact information.

STACS DNA will provide turnkey services to ensure a smooth and rapid rollout. Services include comprehensive training with live sessions for users at each facility, as well as technical, multichannel end-user support from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm local time, seven days a week. This will reduce pressure on state employees by allowing them to maintain focus on their core responsibilities.

ABOUT STACS DNA

STACS DNA offers sample tracking software for forensics and healthcare. Track-Kit™, the leading statewide sexual assault kit tracking system, prevents delays, improves compliance, and keeps thousands of stakeholders informed. STACS® software is the most comprehensive DNA sample tracking and lab management software, maximizing processing throughput and minimizing risk. Our customers are federal, state, regional and local agencies, including many of the largest forensics DNA labs in North America.

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FREDERICK, Md. (PRWEB)
November 13, 2019

On November 10, 2019, Mr. Michael Mesa, President, and CEO of Mesa Science Associates (MSA), announced the presentation of a non-clinical study regarding Nasal Administration of Epinephrine. The results were presented by Kenneth Dretchen Ph.D., CSO and Principle Investigator at MSA. The study was presented in a poster at the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) annual conference in Houston, Texas on November 10, 2019. The poster entitled, “Intranasal Effects on Pharmacokinetics and Heart Rate in a Nasal Congestion Canine Model” is the first in a series of publications to be presented by MSA that detail the results of non-clinical studies conducted to support the concept of Nasal Administration of Epinephrine for patients suffering from a severe allergic reaction, commonly known as anaphylaxis. MSA and MRI Global of Kansas City, MO. collaborated on the study which was funded by Bryn Pharma LLC. The study was conducted to determine the ability of epinephrine to be absorbed through the nasal mucosa and to determine blood levels and pharmacokinetic values when the drug is applied nasally to dogs that have nasal congestion. The nasal congestion was induced by continuous exposure to histamine throughout the test period. This study has shown that even with nasal congestion present the nasal route of administration of epinephrine in canines produce even higher plasma levels of the drug as compared to the intramuscular route of administration.

The current therapy to treat an anaphylactic event is the administration of epinephrine by intramuscular injection via an auto-injector. While this treatment has shown to be effective, problems with auto-injectors include patient concerns about needles that can lead to avoidance, delayed therapy, or even injury at the injection site. Bryn Pharma, a North Carolina based company, is developing a new cost-effective two-dose nasally administered therapy that has the potential to mitigate most of the issues with autoinjector administration. The device is a small compact unit that is needle-free and easy to carry in pockets or purses. MSA is under contract to support the Bryn effort through commercial launch.

Mesa Science Associates is a pharmaceutical product development company located inside the Frederick Innovation and Technology Center Inc. (FITCI) in Frederick MD. The goal of the company is to provide technical and scientific expertise to researchers from all aspects of the drug, drug delivery and product development community, including researchers from the government, academia, and private entities.

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PRP Science

“Our mission at PRP Science is to provide our clients with the latest FDA approved equipment, devices and products that are based on the most current scientific data available, with an unyielding focus on improving patient lives and advancing the field of regenerative medicine.” Jill Swartz

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (PRWEB)
November 11, 2019

PRP Science, Florida’s leading medical distribution company known for setting the standard in excellence for autologous biologics, is now representing two of the most respected manufacturers in the medical aesthetics arena; Ameia Med and Promotitalia.

Based in Germany, Ameia Med is the leading developer of the EXCEED micro-needling device (MN). Recognized as the most powerful MN device on the market today, and the world’s only MN device with double FDA clearance for two indications – wrinkle and acne scar reduction. With a unique, six-needle tilting plate and patented safety membrane for powerful and precise skin punctuation at 900 punctures per second, the EXCEED high-end needle cartridge delivers outstanding results in safety and efficacy.

“As a board-certified plastic surgeon and active member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, I have a passionate obligation to our patients to provide only the most effective, safe and proven technology and products. After experiencing ALL of the micro-needling options available, we have chosen the EXCEED device because of its exceptional precision and versatility, research proven efficacy and engineering, dual FDA clearance and superior patient safety.” Said Rank Barone, MD, FACS, board certified plastic surgeon and founder of Evolv Plastic Surgery and Medical.

Promoitalia, based in Italy, is the world’s leading manufacturer of advanced skin care and aesthetic products including Pink Intimate, V Carbon, and their newest platinum collection of injectables; all of which perfectly align with the PRP Science product offering.

Pink Intimate is the first product of its kind, clinically proven to lighten intimate areas in as little as five treatments with no side effects or downtime. A formulation specifically developed to brighten and rejuvenate the skin in a topical and non-invasive way. Pink Intimate System is recommended for the genital area, anal area, bikini line, nipples, and armpits.

“Our mission at PRP Science is to provide our clients with the latest FDA approved equipment, devices and products that are based on the most current scientific data available, with an unyielding focus on improving patient lives and advancing the field of regenerative medicine.” Said Jill Swartz, President of PRP Science. “We help eliminate the learning curve for our clients, vetting the leading systems, diagnostics, pre and post procedure devices and products so our clients can focus on what they do best, help their patients.”

To learn how you can become a client of PRP Science MD, visit prpsciencemd.com or call 561-510-510-6777.

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Eastern Orthopaedic Association Award Winners

This study is further evidence that NGS technology is superior to traditional culture techniques.

ORLANDO, Fla. (PRWEB)
November 11, 2019

MicroGenDX, the world leader in providing Next Generation DNA Sequencing (NGS) in microbial identification, played a key role in the award-winning study “Next Generation Sequencing for the Diagnosis of Periprosthetic Knee Infection: A Multicenter Investigation” led by the Rothman Institute. The molecular diagnostic laboratory processed samples using Next Generation DNA Sequencing to examine the ability of NGS to identify the causative organisms in patients with PJI of the knee. The study recently accepted the Eastern Orthopaedic Association’s Musculoskeletal Infection Award.

“This is a quantum leap in orthopedics,” says Javad Parvizi, MD. “In my practice alone, using NGS to study the microbiome of joints allowed us to isolate the infective organisms in over 90% of culture negative cases. This is science moving the clinical practice to another realm.”

Identifying the infecting organism in periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) as well as surgical management of PJI remains a challenge with a third of PJIs reported to have negative cultures. The multi-institutional investigation was initiated to examine the ability of NGS to identify the causative organisms in patients with PJI of the knee.

“The use of NGS in my patient population has been transformative,” continues Dr. Parvizi. “I have access to comprehensive microbial data quickly which expedites administration of appropriate antimicrobials and substantially improves outcome of surgical care.”

The hypothesis of this multicenter endeavor was that NGS is able to identify potential pathogens in the majority of culture-negative PJIs. Findings of the study point convincingly to the demonstrative value of diagnosing chronic infections with Next-Generation DNA Sequencing.

“This study is further evidence that NGS technology is superior to traditional culture techniques,” says Rick Martin, MicroGenDX CEO. “Our advanced molecular diagnostic test gives hope to patients suffering from devastating chronic infections and will help to save limbs and lives.”

About MicroGenDX

MicroGenDX is a CAP accredited and CLIA certified molecular diagnostic lab and is the leader in providing the gold standard of microbial diagnostics via DNA technology: Next Generation DNA Sequencing (NGS), qPCR and Resistance Gene detection. Through the utilization of a curated database of 50,000+ microbial species DNA Sequence codes, MicroGenDX provides clinicians and their patients with the most informative microbial diagnostic testing that science can offer; resulting in better outcomes.

Unlike the traditional culturing of samples, Next Generation DNA Sequencing is able to extract the microbial DNA from the sample you provide and report precisely what the patient is dealing with via NGS technology versus what a lab was able to grow. This technology allows for faster and more accurate diagnostics resulting in improved treatment and healing times in clinical outcomes.

MicroGenDX has over 10 years experience running more NGS samples – over 400,000 and counting — than any laboratory in the world. The laboratory location in Lubbock Texas MicroGenDX is led by a team of molecular biologists, biochemists, and physicians.

To learn more information, visit microgendx.com.

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Improved supply capabilities of NeuraCeq to meet increased demand in .

BERLIN and RUVO DI PUGLIA, Italy (PRWEB)
November 11, 2019

Life Molecular Imaging (LMI) and ITELPHARMA (ITEL) announced today that both companies have entered into a strategic partnership and licensing agreement providing ITEL with rights to manufacture and distribute NeuraCeq™ throughout the Italian regions of Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria and Campania.

Until recently these Italian regions were served by Curium Pharma Italy S.r.l. (Curium) that will retain distribution rights to supply NeuraCeq™ in the framework of the current public tenders won by them up to the expiry of these contracts. LMI would like to thank Curium for their efforts in the past and going forward to serve these customers for the duration of their respective contracts.

ITEL will start manufacturing NeuraCeq™ tracers in their radiopharmacy in Ruvo di Puglia as soon as the necessary authorizations are garnered from the applicable Italian authorities.

NeuraCeq™ is an approved imaging agent for the detection of beta-amyloid plaques in clinical routine. It is also a powerful imaging biomarker for the appropriate characterisation of subjects enrolled in clinical trials to support drug development in neurodegenerative diseases.

“Life Molecular Imaging continues to expand the availability of innovative molecular imaging agents and we are truly excited through this collaboration with ITEL to better serve physicians and our pharma partners with our approved NeuraCeq™ for clinical routine and research,” said Ludger Dinkelborg, Ph.D., Managing Director at LMI.

“We are very proud of this collaboration with Life Molecular Imaging,” declares Michele Diaferia, ITEL CEO. “This is an important goal in the process of increasing our company’s investments in the field of chemical-pharmaceutical activity in Italy. Our efforts in supporting competence, knowledge and research, materialize today in this strategic partnership. We are confident that, with our common activities in synergy with LMI, we will be able to give a strong scientific contribution to fight against diseases such as Alzheimer’s that still has a strong social impact.”

About NeuraCeq™ (florbetaben 18F)

Indication

NeuraCeq™ is a radioactive diagnostic agent indicated for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging of the brain to estimate beta amyloid neuritic plaque density in adult patients with cognitive impairment who are being evaluated for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other causes of cognitive decline.

A negative NeuraCeq™ scan indicates sparse to no amyloid neuritic plaques and is inconsistent with a neuropathological diagnosis of AD at the time of image acquisition; a negative scan result reduces the likelihood that a patient’s cognitive impairment is due to AD. A positive NeuraCeq™ scan indicates moderate to frequent amyloid neuritic plaques; neuropathological examination has shown this amount of amyloid neuritic plaque is present in patients with AD but may also be present in patients with other types of neurologic conditions as well as older people with normal cognition. NeuraCeq™ is an adjunct to other diagnostic evaluations.

Limitations of Use

• A positive NeuraCeq™ scan does not establish the diagnosis of AD or any other cognitive disorder.
• Safety and effectiveness of NeuraCeq™ have not been established for (i) predicting development of dementia or other neurologic conditions and (ii) monitoring responses to therapies.

Important Safety Information

Risk for Image Interpretation and Other Errors

NeuraCeq™ can be used to estimate the density of beta-amyloid neuritic plaque deposition in the brain. NeuraCeq™ is an adjunct to other diagnostic evaluations. NeuraCeq™ images should be interpreted independent of a patient’s clinical information. Physicians should receive training prior to interpretation of NeuraCeq™ images. Following training, image reading errors (especially false positives) may still occur. Additional interpretation errors may occur due to, but not limited to, motion artefacts or extensive brain atrophy.

Radiation Risk

Administration of NeuraCeq™, similar to other radiopharmaceuticals, contributes to a patient´s overall long-term cumulative radiation exposure. Long-term cumulative radiation exposure is associated with an increased risk of cancer. It is important to ensure safe handling to protect patients and health care workers from unintentional radiation exposure.

Most Common Adverse Reactions

In clinical trials, the most frequently observed adverse drug reactions in 1077 subjects with 1295 NeuraCeq™ administrations were injection/application site erythema (1.7%), and injection site pain (3.4%).

About Life Molecular Imaging (LMI)

Life Molecular Imaging (LMI, formerly Piramal Imaging) was formed in 2012 with the acquisition of the molecular imaging research and development portfolio of Bayer Pharma AG. It is now part of the Alliance Medical Group (a member of the Life Healthcare Group) offering an integrated business including research and development laboratories, a network of cyclotrons, radiopharmacies and imaging facilities. By developing novel PET tracers for molecular imaging, LMI is focusing on a key field of modern medicine. The organization strives to be a leader in the Molecular Imaging field by developing innovative products that improve early detection and characterization of chronic and life-threatening diseases, leading to better therapeutic outcomes and improved quality of life.

Please visit https://life-mi.com.

About Life Healthcare Group

Life Healthcare Group is a market-leading, international, diversified healthcare organization. Life Healthcare has over 33 years’ experience in the South African private healthcare sector, and currently operates 66 healthcare facilities in southern Africa. Services include acute hospital care, acute physical rehabilitation, acute mental healthcare, renal dialysis, and employee health and wellness services. The Group owns Alliance Medical Group, the leading independent provider of medical imaging services within Europe, operating across 10 international countries. Life Healthcare also owns Scanmed S.A. (Poland) which provides healthcare and medical services in 20 Polish cities, with over 65 medical specialisations and diagnostic services available in 32 facilities. Visit lifehealthcare.co.za

About ITEL

ITEL Telecomunicazioni Srl (also known as ITEL) is an Italian company established in 1982. It has three business sectors: 1) production of radiopharmaceuticals for PET diagnostics and supply of products and services for nuclear medicine, radioprotection and microbiology; 2) design and production of integrated technologies for diagnostics, nuclear medicine and advanced radiotherapy, including “turnkey” solutions; 3) an electromagnetic compatibility test laboratory, for CE marking of electrical and electronic products. In its Research & Development laboratory, ITEL is building an industrial prototype of a special linear proton accelerator, which, by means of a patented integrated system, ERHA, will be used to treat tumors with proton therapy. For more information please visit: http://www.itelte.it

For media queries

Nicole Fletcher | Marketing Communications | Life Molecular Imaging

Tel#: +1 857-202-1122 | n.fletcher@life-mi.com

Giovanni Grieco | Marketing Manager | ITEL

Tel#: +39 345 6558543 | g.grieco@itelte.it

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…these early stage methods, developed as part of the Salimetrics Interdisciplinary Research Initiative, should be offered at cost, allowing researchers to advance science by using reproducible methods shared among the research community.

CARLSBAD, Calif. (PRWEB)
November 07, 2019

Today, Salimetrics’ SalivaLab released a Salivary Osteocalcin Assay as a new addition to their saliva testing menu in an effort to support researchers interested in expanding their research by including a promising, novel biomarker. This new offering has been developed by Salimetrics to help facilitate a growing need for new markers that can further define complex human biology. “Due to the flexibility that saliva sampling offers in contrast to traditional biological matrices, we are continuously breaking new ground with study designs that could never be conducted using a sample matrix such as serum,” says Steve Granger, Ph.D., Salimetrics CSO. “Saliva also benefits research through increased participant compliance and easily accommodates frequent collection time points, even in home-based environments.”

The new osteocalcin assay is part of the Salimetrics Interdisciplinary Research Initiative, developed by Salimetrics in support of the NIH Interdisciplinary Research Program. This initiative assists the growing Salivary Bioscience community by providing validated, early stage methods which leverage know-how from Salimetrics. “The adoption of Salivary Bioscience into fields beyond our core knowledge is happening faster than the tools being developed to support them,” says Supriya Gaitonde, Ph.D., Salimetrics Senior Applications Scientist. “It’s always been a part of Salimetrics’ core mission to accelerate research by providing the tools and methods required to advance science in a reproducible way.”

In a recent, high impact publication in the Journal of Cell Metabolism, Dr. Berger from the Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York performed an impressive study supporting the hypothesis that osteocalcin plays a critical role in the initiation of the psychobiology of the stress response (see Berger, et al., PMID: 31523009). Based on this research, osteocalcin appears to be involved in parasympathetic nervous system regulation during the early stages of the stress response as well as in other various biological pathways.

As a long-standing biomarker of bone-health, osteocalcin has largely been overlooked in mainstream studies on stress, health, and human behavior. However, the latest research suggests its incorporation into contemporary biobehavioral conceptual and measurement models would seem to have tremendous potential. “Large corporations tend to limit risk by heavily investing in proven, established biomarkers, but this strategy rarely provides opportunity for new biomarker discoveries and advancement to flourish in uncharted territories,” says Dr. Granger. “With the flexibility of a company more focused on discovery and impact rather than their bottom line, Salimetrics aims to facilitate the exploration of novel biomarkers that enable ground-breaking discoveries. We strongly believe that these early stage methods, developed as part of the Salimetrics Interdisciplinary Research Initiative, should be offered at cost, allowing researchers to advance science by using reproducible methods shared among the research community.”

The salivary osteocalcin assay is now available exclusively through the Salimetrics SalivaLab, with a dynamic range of 7 to 10,000 pg/mL, functional sensitivity down to at least 13.72 pg/mL, and average inter and intra-assay coefficients of variation less than 10%. Representative values in saliva from 29 healthy salivary donors ranged from 12 to 174 pg/mL. A complete validation has been performed to provide researchers with confidence in reporting data for osteocalcin levels in saliva. Osteocalcin saliva collection requires only a 150 µl sample volume and has been validated with SalivaBio’s Passive Drool Method, following the same convenient and reproducible protocols that researchers have relied on for years.

“The past 20 years has witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of publications involving salivary analytes. Most of those publications are focused on advancing our understanding of how individual differences in the reactivity and regulation of stress influence human health and development,” says Dr. Granger. “At Salimetrics, we take pride in the role we have played in supporting the development of this field of research. The majority of those scientific studies are published with salivary data from Salimetrics’ assays and the release of a validated, novel salivary assay for osteocalcin is a logical “next step” in an effort to continue this research momentum and advance scientific understanding to new limits. Look for more early stage test methods from Salimetrics in the coming months.”

To learn more about the new osteocalcin assay, researchers can visit the Salimetrics Website, or contact research support to integrate osteocalcin into their current or future research study.

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Defeating severe obesity is healthy for moms and babies alike.

The research demonstrates that defeating obesity with the help of a weight-loss procedure is an overall boon to a patient’s health as well as her offspring’s.

LOS ANGELES (PRWEB)
November 01, 2019

An October 16 article on WebMD reported on a recent study finding that obese women who undergo weight loss surgery before becoming pregnant decrease health risks to themselves and their babies. Los Angeles-based weight loss surgery specialists Dr. Feiz and Associates says that the research demonstrates that defeating obesity with the help of a weight-loss procedure is an overall boon to a patient’s health as well as her offspring’s.

The weight loss clinic says it’s no secret that when individuals struggling with obesity lose significant amounts of weight, their overall health and quality of life increases. Common conditions that are linked to obesity include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. The clinic adds that all of these conditions can not only shorten individuals’ life expectancy but also affect the quality in which they are able to live out those years. The problem, of course, is that defeating obesity is a lot easier said than done.

While natural weight loss through proper diet and exercise is theoretically a simple matter of consuming fewer calories than one burns, there are a number of reasons why bariatric surgery appears to be necessary for the large majority of patients to defeat severe obesity. Dr. Feiz and Associates says that one reason involves the reality that obese individuals tend to produce higher amounts of a hormone called ghrelin, which spurs our desire to eat. As dieters begin losing weight, however, it gets worse because the production of the hormone increases ever further – the body is essentially preparing for a famine that is never going to come. The result is nagging feelings that are essentially identical to hunger and very difficult to ignore.

The clinic says that reducing ghrelin production is part of why such procedures as a sleeve gastrectomy have proven so powerful. The original premise of the procedure was simply to reduce the size of the stomach to make overeating uncomfortable and reduce the appetite. Over time, however, it became clear that removing roughly 75%-85% of the stomach also removes the area of the body that might be most responsible for ghrelin production. Thus, patients are discouraged from overeating while being less bothered by the feelings that make them want to overeat in the first place.

Dr. Feiz and Associates note that it’s crucial for prospective patients to realize that undergoing a weight loss procedure will not automatically fix all of their weight-related health issues and they still have to work at changing their relationship with food. The clinic says that with the aid of a weight loss procedure, however, reducing significant amounts of weight through diet becomes much easier to accomplish.

Readers who would like to learn more about Dr. Feiz and Associates and their weight loss services can call 310-855-8058 or visit the clinic’s website at https://www.drfeiz.com.

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Akadeum’s revolutionary buoyancy-based cell isolation microbubbles.

Akadeum was founded to bring simple and superior isolation solutions to a variety of industries through our buoyancy-based microbubble technology, and we are excited to be starting work with Agilent to explore new applications.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (PRWEB)
October 30, 2019

Akadeum Life Sciences, Inc., an Ann Arbor-based biotechnology company, announced today that it has entered into a collaboration with Agilent Technologies, Inc. to work toward a new method of isolating target molecules for detection.

Akadeum aims to disrupt the status quo in isolation technology with their buoyant microbubbles. Notably, Akadeum is the first company to commercialize buoyancy-based cell isolation with their growing portfolio of human and mouse cell enrichment kits for immunology researchers. In addition, the same technology can be leveraged to improve isolation workflows and capabilities for target molecules such as DNA, protein, microbes, and others, which Akadeum is developing through strategic partnerships.

“Sample preparation is a critical, yet often undervalued, step in most analytical assays. Often, the task of sample preparation employs decades old technology that is manual, time-consuming, and resource intensive,” said Brandon McNaughton, CEO of Akadeum Life Sciences. “Akadeum was founded to bring simple and superior isolation solutions to a variety of industries through our buoyancy-based microbubble technology, and we are excited to be starting work with Agilent to explore new applications.”

Agilent, an early investor in Akadeum, has engaged in this collaboration with the shared goal of using Akadeum microbubbles to improve upon current analytical workflows.

“The Akadeum technology has real promise to be a disruptive force in customers’ sample preparation workflows. We’re excited to test whether the simplicity of the solution drives down time and cost requirements in customer environments.” said Michael Linderman, Vice President of Business Development at Agilent.

To learn more about Akadeum microbubbles, investment, or partnerships, visit https://www.akadeum.com.

Akadeum Life Sciences, Inc. was established to create the next generation isolation technology and to fundamentally change the way that isolating cells and other targets is approached. The company is using microbubbles to solve longstanding problems in the industry. Isolation applications include research, in vitro diagnostics, pathogen detection, and cell therapy. The company is located in Ann Arbor, MI. Inquiries into Akadeum’s products or technology can be made at info@akadeum.com or https://www.akadeum.com/.

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