February 2007 Archives

ROME (Reuters) - Pope Benedict on Saturday condemned genetic engineering and other scientific practices that allow people to select so-called "designer babies" by screening them for defects.

In a speech to the Pontifical Academy for Life, a Church body of experts, the Pope also attacked artificial insemination and the widespread use of medical tests that can detect diseases and inherited disorders in embryos.

"In developed countries, there is a growing interest for the most sophisticated biotechnological research to introduce subtle and extensive eugenics methods in the obsessive search for the 'perfect child'," the Pope said.

He said the right to life was increasingly under attack in the world, citing pressures to legalize abortion in Latin America, and euthanasia in the richest countries.

He also spoke out against civil unions as an alternative to marriage, his latest criticism of a bill approved this month by the Italian government granting rights to unwed and gay couples.

Turning that bill into law now appears a more remote possibility, as it was dropped from a government program submitted by Romano Prodi to his allies to allow him to stay on as prime minister and end the latest political crisis.

More via Reuters here.

Hola!

¡¡Llevamos recaudados, en lo individual, $12,775 dólares!!

Todo el equipo “Miles For Miracles” llevamos $606,061 dólares. Faltan 7 semanas para el maratón.
El entrenamiento de esta semana incluyó participar en la carrera de 10Km organizada por MVS.
La corrí en 54min 10seg. Los que apostaron un donativo si corría la carrera en menos de una hora... ¡a pagar!

Los resultados y fotos de la carrera se pueden consultar en:

http://www.emociondeportiva.com.mx/

El próximo fin de semana voy a correr 25km, Los mantengo informados.

Gracias y saludos

Victor

I ran the Hyannis half marathon today.

I used a knee strap for my left knee and it helped.

Here is the route.

Would you patent a gene!!???

They have:

Inhibition of NF-κB activation by blockade of IKKβ-NEMO interactions at the NEMO binding domain

Abstract
The invention includes compositions and methods for the selective inhibition of cytokine-mediated NF-κB activation by blocking the interaction of NEMO with IκB kinase-β (IKKβ) at the NEMO binding domain (NBD). The blockade of IKKβ-NEMO interaction resulting in inhibition of IKKβ kinase activity and subsequent decreased phosphorylation of IκB. Phosphorylation of IκB being an integral step in cytokine-mediated NF-κB activation. The invention further includes methods for screening for agents capable of interacting at the NBD and therapeutic uses for such agents in pathological disorders caused by dysregulation of NF-κB activation.

Patent number: 6864355
Filing date: Aug 22, 2000
Issue date: Mar 8, 2005
Inventors: Michael J. May, Sankar Ghosh
Assignee: Yale University
Primary Examiner: Jon Weber
Secondary Examiner: Rita Mitra
Attorneys: Lahive & Cockfield, LLP, Giulio A. DeConti, Jr., Maria Laccotripe Zacharakis

More about this patent here.

Aastrom Biosciences (ASTM): This Michigan based company is involved in the development of cell products for the regeneration or repair of human tissues, based on its proprietary Tissue Repair Cell [TRC] technology. Negative earnings, price/sales ratio is 211.

Advanced Cell Technology (ACTC.OB): This company is involved in the development and marketing of human stem cell technology in the area of regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy. Negative earnings, P/S is 64.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals (ALXN): This Connecticut based company is involved in the development of biologic therapeutic products for the treatment of hematologic and cardiovascular disorders, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Negative earnings, P/S is 864.

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals (ARIA): This Massachusetts company is involved in the development of medicines for the treatment of cancer by regulating cell signaling with small molecules. Their cancer products are used to treat sarcomas, hormone refractory prostate cancer, and endometrial cancer. Negative earnings, P/S is 367.

AVI Biopharma (AVII): The Oregon based company is involved in the development of therapeutic products based on NEUGENE antisense technology to treat various diseases. Negative earnings, P/S is 100.

BioTransplant [BTRNQ.PK]: This company is involved in the development of therapeutics, therapeutic devices, and therapeutic regimens designed to suppress undesired immune responses, and enhance the body’s ability to accept donor cells, tissues, organs, and stem cell transplants. Negative earnings, P/S is .6.

Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics [BCLI.OB]: This New York based company develops stem cell therapeutic products based on technologies which facilitate the in vitro differentiation of bone marrow stem cells from neural-like cells. They use bone marrow stem cells to produce neuron-like cells for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and other diseases. No earnings, no revenues.

Celera Group (CRA): This NYSE company, founded in 1937, is involved in the discovery and validation of new diagnostic markers, using proprietary genomics and proteomics discovery platforms and diagnostic products based on those markers. They collaborate with Abbott Laboratories (ABT), Genentech (DNA), General Electric (GE) and Merck (MRK). Negative earnings, P/S is 24.

Cellgene (CELG): This New Jersey company is involved in the discovery, production, and marketing of therapies designed to treat cancer and immune-inflammatory-related diseases. Their primary product includes THALOMID, for the treatment of erythema nodosum leprosum. Last year, the company received patent on placental stem cell recovery. P/E is 316, P/S is 21.

Cord Blood America [CBAI.OB]: This Los Angeles company is involved in the collection, testing, processing, and preservation of the blood from umbilical cords for use in future stem cell therapy. Negative earnings, P/S is 1.7.

Cryo-Cell International (CCEL.OB): This is a Florida based family cord blood stem cell bank. P/S is 1.7.

Curis, Inc. (CRIS): This Massachusetts based company is involved in the discovery, development, and marketing of products that modulate key regulatory signaling pathways which control the repair and regeneration of human tissues and organs. It collaborates with Genentech, Procter & Gamble (PG), and Wyeth (WYE). Negative earnings, P/S is 4.9.

Dendreon Corporation (DNDN): This company is involved in the discovery, development, and marketing of active immunotherapies, monoclonal antibodies, and small molecule product candidates to treat cancer. They manufacture the DACSÒSC stem cell enrichment device. Negative earnings, very high P/S of 1500.

Geron (GERN): This Menlo Park, California company develops cell-based therapies derived from human embryonic stem cell platforms for treatment of various diseases. Negative earnings, P/S is 186.

Integra Lifesciences Holdings (IART) This New Jersey company develops, manufactures, and sells medical devices, implants, biomaterials, and instruments to the neurosurgery, surgery, and soft tissue repair markets. P/E 45, P/S 3.4.

Invitrogen Corporation (IVGN): This California company sells products and services which support academic and government research institutions, pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology companies, including tools for gene acquisition, gene cloning, gene expression, and gene analysis techniques. Negative earnings, P/S is 2.6.

LifeCell Corporation (LIFC): This New Jersey company develops and sells human-derived tissue-based products for use in reconstructive, orthopedic, and urogynecologic surgery. They produce a three-dimensional structured regenerative human tissue matrix. P/E 45, P/S 6.3.

MedImmune (MEDI): This Maryland company develops, manufactures, and markets products for the treatment of infectious diseases, inflammatory diseases, and cancer. P/E 167, P/S 6.2.

MultiCell Technologies [MCET.OB]: The company develops and markets therapeutics based on new drug candidates and patented drug development technology platforms to treat MS-related chronic fatigue, infectious disease, cancer, and autoimmune disease. They also produce immortalized human hepatocyte cell lines. Negative earnings, P/S is 11.2.

Osteotech (OSTE): This New Jersey company processes and distributes allograft bone tissue used for transplants. P/S is 1.3.

Opexa Therapeutics, Inc. (OPXA): This company, based in Texas, develops and markets autologous cellular therapies for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes, based on stem cell technologies. No revenues, no earnings.

StemCells Inc. (STEM): This Palo Alto company is involved in the discovery and development of adult stem cell therapeutics for treating damage to the central nervous system, liver, and pancreas. Negative earnings, P/S is a high 1771.

ThermoGenesis (KOOL): This California company designs, manufactures, and markets automated blood processing systems that facilitate the manufacture, preservation, and delivery of cell therapies. P/S 13.6.

ViaCell (VIAC): This Massachusetts company sells ViaCord, a product which is used to preserve a baby's umbilical cord blood. They also research other therapeutic uses of umbilical cord blood-derived and adult-derived stem cells. Negative earnings, P/S is 3.9.

Discovery Channel Mystery Diagnosis

Andy's back home after 4 days @ Six West.

Waterfights, syringe painting, wood projects, computer games... and some oxygen.

Everything is difficult before its easy.

I ran 5 miles today at a treadmill from a Gym across the street from the hospital.
And I ran 5 miles yesterday same place.

My knees hurt and I don't sleep much at the hospital..

Andy may be discharged tomorrow or a day after tomorrow (KNOCK, KNOCK).

I received the following news from Rhys today.

The boy who faces nine months in an air bubble

It is the modern equivalent of living in a sealed plastic bubble.

And it is also the best chance of survival for a desperately ill five-year-old.
Rhys Harris is to spend up to nine months living in an air-tight chamber measuring just 40ft by 40ft. He will be cut off from the outside world to allow his immune system to recover after being rebuilt following a bone marrow transplant. The sterile ward, which is located behind three sets of doors, will have a special canopy over his bed to filter the air that he breathes to make sure he doesn't catch an infection. His parents, Dawn, 36, and Kevin, 42, will only be able to see him when they have scrubbed up and put on surgical masks and robes. Even then they won't be able to kiss him goodnight in case they pass on a bug that could prove fatal. Without the pioneering treatment, Rhys could have only 18 months to live. He is one of only 35 people in the world to suffer from NEMO, a disease that destroys the body's immune system. His best hope of survival is intensive chemotherapy followed by a bone marrow transplant.

Only two people have ever undergone a similar sealed room procedure and it will be the first time it has been attempted in Britain. The process will be even harder as Rhys was left profoundly deaf after suffering a bout of meningitis at nine months old and was diagnosed with TB last year. Rhys' father said: 'We know it is a slim chance but we have to take it. The flipside of the coin is not worth thinking about. We need to be positive.
'Rhys is going to have to live for several months in a clear unit behind door upon door upon door.

'There'll be a little red line round his bed over which no one can pass - we won't be able to hold him or hug him or anything - all contact will be very limited because he'll have no immune system whatsoever during the first three weeks of chemo.'

After four weeks he will move into a 40ft by 40ft yellow square so he can walk around and will remain there for at least eight months.

His brother Morgan, four, will be unable to see Rhys face-to-face, but will stay in touch with him via a webcam. His family are moving from their home in Newbridge, South Wales, to Newcastle ready for the treatment at the city's general hospital. The medical team is still searching for a bone marrow donor, ideally from someone who has had TB. Six good matches have already been identified and doctors hope to start treatment in April. Rhys' parents have since set up a website - www.cure4rhys.org - to post updates on the boy's battle.

View the article here.

Visit cure4rhys.org

This is the first time we see this gadget and it's helpful. It's just a lamp.

What's even more helpful is that it makes the IV specialist more comfortable. Andy does well with IV specialists that know what they are doing.

Wee Sight Transilluminator can help to accurately locate veins for improved insertion of an IV. The strong LED light performs as well as larger transilluminators, but does not emit heat — making it safer even for the most delicate skin. Wee Sight was designed to lie flat on a surface to allow you to drape baby’s arm or leg over it for enhanced evaluation. It can also be held in the palm of your hand with the baby’s limb against it. This unique design allows one person to operate the Wee Sight and perform necessary procedures

More here.

He's doing much better.

Due to a bad cough.

When he came back from school on Monday he told me that 16 of his classmates were sick and that they didn't go to school. I think he has a total of 25 classmates...

He started coughing that same day and this morning his oxygen saturation was a little low.

So we're back at Six West. His X-Rays look OK.

We're at room 606 which brings back a lot of memories. Oddly enough Andy was happy when the doctors told him they wanted him to stay.

Our signs are still there! Looking out the window I can see the signs that Andy and I posted at the Jimmy Fund Clinic window (across the street from Six West) more than 2 years ago! We made the signs on big pieces of yellow paper the first time he was discharged from Six West after his transplant. Talk about graffiti! The signs are strategically placed where nobody can see them from the clinic and they are visible from every window at Six West.

One of them says: "Andy sends bugs and kisses to Six West"
And the other: "Kelli + The Worm Rock - Andy"

I wonder how many children have received stem cells here since Andy's infusion...

I'm doing a phrase count:

"I'm just going to do some vitals" - 4 times
"Do you need anything" - 5 times
"Haven't seen you in a while - that's a good thing" - 3 times

The marathon training schedule has 15 miles for tomorrow. I hope we have a quiet night here.

I received this message today from the NFED.

The National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias has learned of a little boy affected by Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia who is looking for a forever family. Alex is 5 years old and has been in a China orphanage since he was 3 years old. He appears to be a healthy and outgoing little boy and his adoption has a HUGE grant of $8,500 to help with adoption expenses.

If you are interested in getting more information and a photo of Alex, please contact the NFED office at 618-566-2020. A completed home study is not necessary to start the adoption process.

To the Committee of Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
January 19, 2007

Stem cells come in many varieties. Even the term "stem cell" is a very general term. It defines a generic category of cells that has many members with different properties. It's about as specific as the category "seed." Seeds of all types share many properties, but an apple seed makes apple trees and an orange seed makes oranges. When we compare apples and oranges no one confuses the two.

After many years of competing claims, ES cells remain the most versatile of all stem cells. ES cells are the gold standard for the biological concept of pluripotency, and it has been known from over 20 years of research in the mouse that ES cells can make all the cells of the body. ES cells have unique properties and they fulfill a unique purpose in biological research. Human ES cells are irreplaceable tools for understanding the earliest stages of human development. They are unique precisely because they come from the earliest human embryos -- before implantation into the womb, before even the most rudimentary human form has begun to take shape. Understanding how these primitive cells orchestrate the process of human development represents one of the greatest goals of modern biology.

More here.

111th Running - April 16th, 2007

This year is the largest team ever with 172 runners
With 37 "qualified" runners meaning: the runners have either a qualifying time or have a number through an outside source and wanted to run for Children's to raise money for a great cause
There are 93 patient partners (Andy included).
To date the team has raised $652,000 towards the $1.1 million goal!
The top fundraiser for the runner's to date has raised over $59,000 and is still going strong
Our top patient fundraiser to date has raised over $1,600
We are an international team with runners with running living in Japan and Mexico City (That's Victor!)
The cold weather isn't scaring our runners away! In 20 degree weather this past Saturday, we had an organized 16 mile run with over 65 Children's runners in attendance.
Marathon Monday is 9 weeks from today!

I ran 15 miles today.

Here is the route.

My fundraising page: www.42km.org

My brother Victor is also running: www.vic4andy.com
Mark Porter is also running: www.mark4andy.com

Her name is Pebbles.

This from Paulina:

Taking care of my ill baby has been the most challenging job I have ever had and I will ever have too. My son was born with a primary immunodeficiency which was a big surprise for all the family and a long journey to find it and treat it the right way. Being a first time mother I felt overwhelmed because of the big responsibility and everything I read in books about babies was totally different or was not happening the same way like running a high fever twenty four hours after birth due to a life threatening infection or having to be with him in the intensive care unit instead of being at home and the umbilical cord that didn’t fall off by its own, or a diarrhea that gets out of control. It was all very overwhelming. All the other parents that took baby classes with us left the hospital three days after delivery and we were still there after four weeks with our child at the intensive care unit hoping deep inside that another baby like ours would come to be with him and to be able to talk to other parents going through the same thing but it didn’t happen that way. It seemed that we didn’t have the right to enjoy our baby. We were very jealous at that time because everything seemed so easy for the other parents. The world was falling for us and it was just the beginning of a very long journey. All the other babies went to their homes and families, there were new people coming to the hospital and leaving again and we were still there. We decided to focus on our baby’s health and it was difficult and painful and we didn’t pay attention to what was happening around us and outside of the hospital. It was challenging because it was a 24/7 job without a brake and with out the privilege of stoping and saying I didn’t want want to work that day. My son was hooked to pumps which made noises all the time during the day and night. We had to give him his meds even at midnight or just to hug him or hold him because he wasn’t feeling well. This job was stressful and made me feel exhausted. In a lot of occasions I felt like a winding sheet because all day I had to keep track of his medical records and deal with nurses who were nice but there were some that I didn’t like. I had to convince my baby to let the doctors take a look at him and at the end of the day I was screaming and being rude to my relatives who just wanted to know how he was feeling and how they could help. I couldn’t hold it with them as I could with the strangers. I feel bad about it. Among those difficult times of sadness, anxiety and depression my husband and I had to make an extraordinary effort to be strong. We wanted to comfort him as much as we wanted someone to be comforting us too but this was just impossible because nothing can help you go thru this unless you really believe and have faith in God. We decided to spend our time having fun with nurses and doctors and playing with hospital pumps and machines and we were there even during difficult procedures. We wanted our son to have a good experience in his childhood instead of remembering only medical procedures or strangers touching and manipulating him hundreds of times a day. Slowly we learned how to cope with all of it, how to deal with a new world of doctors and how to appreciate life in a way we had never done before. For instance looking at babies the same age as my son that were already sitting down by themselves, crawling and my son had to be connected to pumps that made it difficult to hold him like a baby. It was painful but when I saw him trying hard to do it and achieving it with time and a lot of effort I was the happiest mom on earth and so proud of him. Some times I think that if my son hadn’t been sick I would had never paid attention to small things and I wouldn’t appreciate them the way I do now. He is teaching us a lot about life and now I like it. I wouldn’t exchange him for a healthy boy because of everything that I’m discovering that it’s out there but no one but him could open my eyes to really look and be thankful.

I ran 6 x Heart Break Hill today.

www.42km.org