Tag Archives: Diagnostics

AMBROSIA, a new HORIZON-RIA project, aims to develop a portable diagnostic unit for intelligent sepsis diagnosis

ATHENS, 9-May-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — AMBROSIA (http://ambrosia-h2022.eu/) is a new ambitious HORIZON Research and Innovation Action project that was granted under the call of “Digital and emerging technologies for competitiveness and fit for the green deal” and the topic “HORIZON-CL4-2022-DIGITAL-EMER-GING-01-03: Advanced multi-sensing systems”. AMBROSIA envisions to develop a portable diagnostic unit for intelligent sepsis diagnosis at the point-of-care (PoC).

Sepsis is a life-threatening whole-body inflammatory reaction caused by a severe infection. With mortality rates around 35%, sepsis is responsible for 11 million deaths worldwide every year. In economic terms, sepsis represents a primary cost of hospitalization in developed regions, expending up to €9 billion/year only in Germany. The window of opportunity for sepsis management is in hours: the chance of survival drops by 7.6% each hour of disease progression until an appropriate treatment is started. However, early and accurate sepsis detection is hampered due to: i) complex diagnostic criteria requiring screening of multiple targets, (ii) time-consuming methods for identifying the bacterial causes of sepsis, (iii) specimen transfers in centralized laboratories. Meeting this challenging framework can only be accomplished through the adoption of real-time and label-free sensor technologies incorporated in PoC platforms.

This is exactly where AMBROSIA steps in to transform integrated plasmo-photonic RI sensors into a disruptive solution for sepsis diagnosis at the point of care that will offer multiplexed (within a single test) quantification of multiple protein biomarkers and bacteria within a few minutes, providing also real-time disease stage classification and enabling a rapid and precise decision making for medical actuation. Specifically, AMBROSIA objectives include:

1. Development of multi-channel label-free CMOS plasmo-photonic sensors with high-sensitivity and resilience to noise.
2. Hetero-integration of InP-on-SiN through micro-transfer printing (μTP).
3. Development of an AI-based electro-optical read-out exploiting ultra-low power photonic Deep Neural Networks for disease classification.
4. Development of a PoC sepsis diagnostic unit.
5. Experimental validation of AMBROSIA sepsis diagnostic system with real samples.

The project is coordinated by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, and is scheduled to run for 4 years bringing together 12 partners strategically compiled from strong industrial and academic organizations including: (a) 4 universities, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (GR), University of Bourgogne (FR), University of Southampton (UK), and University of Ioannina (GR), (b) 2 research institutes, the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ES), and the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (ES), and (c) 6 companies, Ligentec (CH), SMART PHOTONICS BV (NL), X-Celeprint (IE), Argotech (CZ), microLIQUID (ES), and Biopix DNA Technology P.C. (GR).

About AMBROSIA

A MULTIPLEXED PLASMO-PHOTONIC BIOSENSING PLATFORM FOR RAPID AND INTELLIGENT SEPSIS DIAGNOSIS AT THE POINT-OF-CARE

Project ID:101093166
Call: HORIZON-CL4-2022-DIGITAL-EMERGING-01
Type of Action: HORIZON-RIA
Start Date: 01 Jan 2023
Duration: 48 months
Estimated Project Cost: €4,999,612.17
Requested EU Contribution: €3,689,509.66

Website: http://ambrosia-h2022.eu/

About BIOPIX-T

BIOPIX DNA TECHNOLOGY P.C. (https://biopix-t.com)  was founded in December 2019 in order to commercialize a novel molecular diagnostic method, developed by the founding team, for the detection of nucleic acids at the point-of-care. The company targets multiple healthcare-diagnostics related markets through the production of standardized assays for detection and monitoring of Infectious Diseases and Companion Diagnostics. Our mission is to offer portable diagnostic devices to every potential end-user, regardless of financial status, geographical location and training.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

European public-private project to advance precision psychiatry by introducing biology into clinical routine

PARIS AND MONTPELLIER, 30-Mar-2022 — /EPR HEALTHCARE NEWS/ — ALCEDIAG announces the launch of the EDIT-B Consortium, supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology for Health (EIT Health). This newly formed European public-private partnership aims at advancing precision psychiatry by introducing biology into clinical routine.

Around 300M people in the world are affected by depression. Studies show that up to 40% of them may be misdiagnosed and potentially bipolar. As a result, diagnosis is often delayed by an average of 7.5 years, worsening patients’ mental and physical conditions as well as their loved ones’ quality of life.

The EDIT-B Consortium aims to solve this diagnostic challenge by using specific RNA editing based biomarkers and artificial intelligence to validate and commercialize an accurate, reliable, and quick blood test to diagnose bipolar disorder.

The Consortium brings together prominent members from across Europe who will be working over the next three years to achieve this goal: Alcediag, Alcen, Capital Region of Denmark, Fundació Clinic per la Recerca Biomèdica, Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, GHU Paris Psychiatrie & Neurosciences, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, ProductLife Group and Synlab. With a total budget of € 5.2 million, EDIT-B is co-funded by the EIT Health (€ 2.5M) and the partners.

“This project will accurately separate bipolar disorder from unipolar disorder. This distinction is extremely important clinically, because the treatments are different. EDIT-B Consortium gathers all relevant expertise and as the principal investigator in the clinical trial, I hope we will be able to validate a test that will improve the lives of many people living with bipolar disorder”, says Prof. Eduard Vieta from the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona.

SYNLAB is the first diagnostic service provider in Europe, present in 36 countries in 4 continents and committed to developing high value solutions for patients  focusing on medical excellence and customer centricity.

Maurizio Ferrari, SYNLAB Italy Chief Medical Officer says: “innovation in healthcare is a key pillar for the customer centricity and  we are very proud to be part of this European research project that really may help patients with psychiatric disorders”.

“I am proud to see that the EDIT-B consortium led by our partner Alcediag – a subsidiary of Alcen – will tackle the challenge of improving the diagnosis of bipolar disorder. In doing so, they support EIT Health main mission which is to help citizens live healthier and longer lives and at the same time put the spotlight on mental health which is key to the proper care management and wellbeing of our communities”, adds Jean Marc Bourez, interim CEO of EIT Health.

“On this World Bipolar Day, Alcediag team is happy to announce its contribution to solving the bipolar disorder diagnostic issue.  We are proud and grateful to our partners and the EIT Health for this opportunity to advance science while having a positive impact on people’s lives”, said Alexandra Prieux, CEO of Alcediag.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Regular Exposure To Agricultural Pesticides Might Increase The Risk Of Parkinson’s Disease

Regular exposure to agricultural pesticides might increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD), according to a study published in Archives of Neurology. More exposure to pesticides means a higher chance of the neurological illness, research reports.

“While the causes of PD are still not clear,” says Kay Mixson Jenkins, author of the new children’s book Who Is Pee Dee?, “hardcore chemicals used for treating crops can’t be that good for people in any event.”

Ms. Jenkins was diagnosed with Parkinson’s when she was just thirty-four. She decided to write her book to help her children understand this devastating disease. The story follows a young boy named Colt as he tries to deal with his mother’s chronic illness.

Based on National Parkinson Foundation estimations, almost 1.5 million Americans currently have PD. It’s the second-largest neurological disorder (after Alzheimer’s) in the United States.

The illness typically develops later in life and often impairs motor skills, speech and other functions.

Many scientists and researchers believe that environmental factors can be linked to the illness:

• Aberdeen University Medical School found that people exposed to high levels of pesticides were forty-one percent more likely to develop the condition compared to people who had never been exposed; those exposed to low levels were thirteen percent more likely.

• Environmental Health News reports that the rates of Parkinson’s disease appear higher among farmers and rural residents.

• A Danish cohort study found an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease in agricultural workers.

• Emory University reported growing evidence suggesting that exposure to pesticides increases the risk of Parkinson’s disease.

• Researchers from UT Southwestern Medical Center found that people with Parkinson’s disease have significantly higher blood levels of a particular pesticide than healthy people.

“I hope studies and facts like these will help bring the government’s attention to the environmental problems our society faces today,” says Ms. Jenkins. “If we can simply protect our environment and be greener, who knows? Maybe the number of Parkinson’s cases will go down.”

In addition to writing Who Is Pee Dee?, Ms. Jenkins is a leader in a nationwide effort to raise awareness about PD. As the founder of Parkinson’s in the Park, an affiliated chapter of the National Parkinson Foundation, Ms. Jenkins has created an outreach program that encourages families and friends to participate in the treatment of PD patients.

Kay Mixson Jenkins is also the Georgia state co-coordinator for the Parkinson’s Action Network, leads the Effingham County Parkinson’s support group and was selected as a Parkinson’s patient advocate for UCB, Inc.

Who Is Pee Dee? Explaining Parkinson’s Disease to a Child by Kay Mixson Jenkins is available on Amazon.com.

Via EPR Network
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Mountainside Cites That Heroin And Opiate Use Is On The Rise

The numbers of individuals entering inpatient drug rehab for heroin and opiate addiction continues to increase. In Afghanistan and Pakistan the opium (heroin) trade is tightly controlled by al Qaeda and the Taliban, and despite the war the efforts, the production of heroin and opium has dramatically increased – heroin is still dirt-cheap and readily purchased on the streets of Kabul and sold in short distance of military barracks. This phenomena has caused many analysts to be alarmed that our troops, reacting to the stress of war and ease of access of drugs, may develop drug habits like many of the soldiers in the Vietnam era.

The prevalence of cheap heroin has become a major issue in this country for teenagers who have begun experimenting with the drug as it is often cheaper and easier to buy than alcohol. Last year more than 46 people died from heroin overdoses in Nassau County, NY – this represents a 75 percent year over year increase. One of these individuals was Natalie Ciappa, a National Honor Society member at her high school on Long Island.

Recently, this past Wed, more than 1,000 parents gathered at a hosted forum in Smithtown, NY to voice their support and concern for the drug problem.

Directly correlated to the increase in heroin addiction has been the number of deaths by people using methadone. Many individuals who enter heroin rehab, also have tried methadone. A recent study published by the National Drug Intelligence Center (DIC indicates a 390% increase in deaths due to methadone since 1999. Increase in methadone deaths attributed to the drugs emerging popularity for use with chronic pain sufferers as well as increased diversion (stealing from legitimate sources and diverting to the street for illegal consumption).

The highest overdose rate was experienced among those between the ages of 15 – 24.

Opiate addiction or dependence which is recognized as a central nervous system disorder, can affect anyone from any walk of life. Opiate addiction is essentially what happens after someone intakes opiods such as Heroin, Oxycontin, Percocet and others for extended periods of time causing the brain to stop producing the vital chemical dopamine (the body’s natural response to pain as well as other physical activities) which in turn causes an uncontrollable urge for that person to have to ingest more of the drug they had been taking just to feel “normal”.

Opiate dependence while chemically the same as addiction more often occurs in people who have suffered from chronic or severe pain and have to be on this type of medication for an extended period of time. Normally to avoid any unpleasant effects the person’s physician will taper them off of the medication so the patient’s brain function has a chance to return to normal. Once the brain is actively producing dopamine and as long as the patient is no longer in pain, the medication is no longer medically needed.

Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center has been helping people recover from alcoholism for over 12 years. Located in Connecticut, just north of New York City, its national program continues to help people from all over the country.

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Mountainside Announces The Appointment Of A New Clinical Program Director

Mountainside Treatment Center announces the appointment of Wendi Shami MS, LCSW as the company’s Clinical Program Director. With more than 10 years of experience working in the mental health and addiction/alcoholism treatment field, Ms. Shami will be responsible for building and strengthening the therapeutic program, managing the treatment teams and introducing new evidenced based practices and identifying growth opportunities.

Ms. Shami brings extensive knowledge in the addiction treatment and therapeutic field and has an extensive career in the management of teams, cases and knowledge of therapeutic best-practices. She has helped many organizations to develop and execute initiatives including staff development and effective treatment team and efficient therapeutic case oversight.

Originally from Westchester she earned her Masters degree in Clinical Social Work at Columbia University in New York City and completed post graduate training in Family Counseling at the Ackerman Institute in New York City. Her areas of specialization include the treatment of addictions, co-occurring disorders, family therapy and counseling.

About Mountainside Treatment Center
Mountainside drug rehab is a comprehensive and innovative provider of treatment for individuals suffering from drug addiction and alcoholism.

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New Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Website By Mountainside

Mountainside Treatment Center, a drug and alcohol addiction treatment center located in the northwest corner of Connecticut has launched a new informative web site in order to make more information about addiction and the treatment of addiction more accessible to the general public. The new website is designed to be easy to use and navigate, while still providing volumes of information to the end user. The new site is comprised of the newest and best technology available and is aimed at making the web experience as pleasant as possible. For many, this is the first glimpse of what Mountainside has to offer, so making the information accessible was one of the primary goals. Finding a suitable drug or alcohol rehabilitation center can be a difficult task, often, an informative and easy to use website makes this a less time consuming task; which allows the client more time to make the right decision.

Mountainside’s new site offers information on several important addiction related topics as well as information regarding its professional and credentialed staff and facility. The new drug rehab and alcoholism treatment center website contains information on heroin addiction, cocaine addiction, methamphetamine addiction, alcoholism, prescription drug dependence and addiction along with several other informative articles.

Information on the facility is abundant and contains many photographs from Mountainsides grounds. There is a section that introduces the clinical treatment team and provides the opportunity for people to become more familiar with the facility and its offerings. There are also powerful search functions which give web users the ability to find only the information that they are seeking.

Mountainside Drug Rehab Center’s focus and commitment over the years has been to the quality of its drug rehabilitation and alcoholism treatment program. Mountainside’s unique drug rehab program includes Individual and Group Counseling; Therapeutic Challenge; Addressing Nicotine Addiction; 12-Step Education and Meetings; Spiritual Enhancement including Guided Meditation, Yoga, Hypnosis, a Native American Stone Peoples Lodge; Family Counseling; Work Therapy; Adventure-Based Counseling; Writing, Art and Music Workshops. Working with their counselors, residents are able to take advantage of a long list of treatment initiatives designed to appeal to individual tastes and preferences. One of the tenets of its individualized drug addiction rehab program is to get people fully engaged in their recoveries.

Its licensed and credentialed counselors and clinical staff include two Advanced Nurse Practitioners who are specialists in drug addiction and alcoholism treatment. The highly capable drug addiction treatment team is dedicated to providing compassionate and quality alcohol and drug treatment. In these hard economic times – Mountainside Drug Rehab is there to help. Please contact us at the number below or visit its website at (www.mountainside.org/drug-rehab).

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International Masters Publishers, Inc., On Behalf Of Its Collection Of Health And Well-Being Products Has Made A Donation To Rocking The Road For A Cure, Inc.

International Masters Publishers, Inc., on behalf of its collection of Health and Well-being products has made a donation to “Rocking the Road for a Cure, Inc.” — a non-profit organization founded to provide free education and support services for women and men going through the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Reflecting their strong commitment to providing valuable health information, International Masters Publishers, Inc. (IMP) recently announced its continuing support for breast cancer research and wellness programs through its contribution to the community-based non-profit organization “Rocking the Road for a Cure, Inc.”

Founded by Dawn Frey after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, “Rocking the Road for a Cure, Inc” provides free support services aimed to enhance the coping skills of those in treatment, and expand the support networks that have proven so essential to their quality of life. These services include:

• Homebound Yoga, Reiki and massage
• Medical case management assistance
• Homebound Recreational Therapy
• Beauty consultations
• Nutrition advice and services

“We are proud to support the great work done by Rocking on the Road for a Cure, Inc.”, says Dilenia Chireno, IMP Spokesperson, “their programs use many of the same approaches to self-empowerment we cover in our collections, so it’s really an excellent fit for us. We are so proud to be part of this important and worthwhile cause.”

In addition to its generous corporate donation, IMP will also offer some customers of The Complete Guide to Natural Healing and Enhancing Your Mind Body Spirit the opportunity to make an additional donation by contributing a portion of the proceeds it receives from these two products to this great cause.

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Co-operative Pharmacy Offers Free Hearing Tests

The Co-Operative Pharmacy has pledged to provide free hearing tests at a number of their branches throughout the UK. The proposal is a part of a new audiology service being trialled in selected branches in the UK as an effort to help those with hearing problems get the treatment they need.

Many UK patients do not notice any deterioration in their hearing and it is hoped that by having these sessions made available that the Co-Operative Pharmacy can help identify who may need a hearing aid.

If after taking part in the free hearing test that the patient is identified as having hearing difficulties then they will then be offered advice on purchasing a hearing aid, either privately or being referred to a GP if they wish to get one via the National Health Service.

For patients opting to purchase privately they will be able to have their hearing aid fitted within 3 weeks and free follow up appointments to make sure everything is fine at their pharmacy.

The Co-Operative aims to have the service in 80 of its branches nationwide with fully qualified audiologists available twice a month for consultations by September 2009.

Via EPR Network
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Three Alternative Scenarios of the Future In Vitro Diagnostics Market, 2009-2018

Venture Planning Group is pleased to announce completion of the new multiclient study, “Three Alternative Scenarios of the Future In Vitro Diagnostics Market, 2009-2018.” The report is designed to assist executives in the diagnostics industry in formulating policy alternatives that will provide the best choice among possible courses of action.

Venture Planning Group

The major thrust of the study is to clarify future consequences of the current developments in the absence of unforeseeable events, and expose the very different actions and policies that would be required by diagnostic product suppliers if the market moves in any of the three directions.

Each scenario is built around a specific theme with a particular set of assumptions. Business-As-Usual Scenario assumes that the current trends will continue without significant interruptions. Economic Austerity Scenario is predicated upon a significant rise in cost-containment pressures by all payers determined to drastically curtail not only the intensity of health care services, but the size of the industry as well. Technological Breakthroughs Scenario assumes a series of successful developments and commercialization of a number of diagnostic technologies and products occurring during 2009-2018.

This study will help diagnostics industry executives and companies planning to diversify into the diagnostics field to bring about more flexible planning, reduce surprises, and add to ways of improving the ability to cope with the future.

Please visit www.vpgcorp.com to review this and over 5,000 other innovative market research reports from VPG and other world’s leading publishing companies.

About VPG
VPG is an international market research, publishing and management consulting firm providing Market Intelligence Surveys, Opportunity Analyses, New Technology/Product Assessments, and Acquisition/Joint Venture Evaluations to corporate executives and key decision-makers in the healthcare, biotechnology, chemical, food and beverage, and electronics industries worldwide.

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Mice May Hold Key To Parkinson’s Disease

Recently, scientists at the Weill Cornell Medical School were able to recreate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in mice, leading some to believe that a breakthrough in treating the ailment could be just around the corner.

According to a study in the journal Nature Neuroscience, the research involved creating an animal model of Parkinson’s in mice so that scientists can focus on preventing the progression of the disease rather than just on treating its symptoms.

“This research is a huge step for the Parkinson’s community,” says Kay Mixson Jenkins, author of Who Is Pee Dee? Explaining Parkinson’s Disease to a Child. “With efforts like these, Parkinson’s patients have hope that funding and time are going into meaningful steps towards an eventual cure.”

Ms. Jenkins, founder of the non-profit Parkinson’s in the Park, was diagnosed with the disease when she was just thirty-four. She wrote Who Is Pee Dee? for kids who may be asking, “What is Parkinson’s disease?” or, “What are Parkinson’s disease symptoms?”

The book follows a young boy named Colt as he tries to deal with his mother’s illness. It’s the kind of story Ms. Jenkins hopes will be made obsolete by the research being done with mice at Weill Cornell.

“I hope that researchers continue to get funding both private and public,” says Ms. Jenkins, whose book includes a discussion of some of the following symptoms:
• The constant fatigue created by the struggle to control body movement.
• The loss of coordination when doing even simple tasks
• The anger and resentment that can come from feeling overwhelmed

For more information, contact the author directly via kmj@ParkinsonsInThePark.org.

(Who Is Pee Dee? Explaining Parkinson’s Disease to a Child by Kay Mixson Jenkins; illustrated by Richard Morgan; ISBN: 978-0-9819129-0-5; $12.95; 33 pages; 8” x 8”; hardcover; UCB, Inc.)

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An International Panel Of Physicians Reports About A Special Way Of Healing On The Spiritual Path

An extraordinary series of lectures will be held in Fairfax, VA (near Washington, DC) and Los Angeles, CA in May, 2009. Seven Medical specialists from four countries will report about a free special way of healing for everyone. Medical doctors, veterinarians and psychologists from Europe, America, Asia, Australia and Africa have formed the Medical Scientific Group of Specialists (MWF). The task of this group, which belongs to the Bruno Groening Circle of Friends, is to record and verify healings the spiritual way. A compilation of more than 200 concise healing reports can be found on our web site: www.bruno-groening.org/english/ under the link Healings.

The international panel of physicians includes:

G. Blaettner, M.D., Germany,Board Cert. ENT
M. Galante, M.D., USA
L. Colizoli, M.D., USA, Board Cert. Psych.
K. Winchester, M.D.,USA Board Cert., Opthal.
Prof. G. Beketova, M.D., Ph.D., Ukraine, Board Cert. Pediatrics, Prof.Univ. of Kiev
R. Friewald, M.D., D.V.M., Germany
F. Gringinger, M.D., D.O., Austria, Board Cert. Family Prac.
R. Leo, USA

They will speak about their experiences on the following dates.

Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 3 – 7 pm 
(incl. 30 min. break):

George Mason University, 
Fairfax Campus
Lecture Hall, Room 1
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact: Mrs. Heidi Gewehr at 571-313-0267 or h.gewehr@web.de
*Sunday, May 3, 2009 ~ 3 -7 pm 
(incl. 30 min. break)*:

Anderson School of Management, UCLA 
(park in structure 4)
Korn Convocation Hall – C Building 
110 Westwood Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Contact: Chris Runge at 323.394.4691 or chrismwf.info@yahoo.com

During these lectures, physicians will talk about persons who have experienced healing and freedom from long lasting, severe and chronic diseases in a miraculous way. Medical documents will be presented; the experts will explain the intricacies of a superior healing power that has been widely forgotten in modern medicine. The teachings of Bruno Groening (1906-1959), who became world famous due to extraordinary healings in the fifties, are taken as a basis for the lectures. Bruno Groening said time and again: “There is no incurable – God is the greatest physician”. He spoke about a higher power that he called the healing stream, life power or divine energy. This power is abundantly available for everyone. The knowledge about how to make use of this power is passed on free of charge in the worldwide non-profit, volunteer based organization of the Bruno Groening Circle of Friends.

The work of the MWF is supported by some well-known people in the United States, e.g. Dr. Christiane Northrup and Dr. Carl Simonton. Link to information online: http://www.bruno-groening.org/english/lectures2009.htm.

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Wrongful Convictions Of Physicians By Department Of Health (NYSDOH) Linked To Patient Mortality

The proliferation of wrongful convictions in New York State prompted the NYS Bar Association to create a Blue Ribbon task force to study its systemic, procedural and statutory causes, and to propose solutions. Indeed, a report by the Innocence Project found New York State to be the national leader, outpacing all other states in its rate of wrongful convictions. The Blue Ribbon findings, embodied in a document entitled “ Final Report of the New York State Bar Association’s Task Force on Wrongful Convictions” was unanimously endorsed by the Association’s House of Delegates on April 4.

The findings of the Task Force provide a disturbing commentary on flagrant errors by the New York State judicial system, leading to convictions of innocent individuals. In over 50% of cases, the failures of government practices – such as misconduct by prosecutors – were to blame for the wrongful convictions.

Wrongful convictions do not solely implicate the New York State criminal justice system. They are reportedly rife in the legal practices of the NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH), known for ignoring due process and abusing power in its disciplinary actions against physicians. Several bills aiming to redress these inequities were all vetoed. Reported among many of these due process violations is the denying of witnesses for phy sicians’ defense, the use of tainted judges, and the coaching of plaintiffs by prosecutors to lie – indeed, “winning” cases is vital for their career advancement. Especially targeted in these malicious prosecutions are physicians practicing complementary medicine. One physician who wished to remain anonymous for fear of retribution remarked, “Convicting doctors is a cinch: just don’t allow them any witnesses; then the Department is free to make up whatever it wants.”

The tragedy of wrongful convictions in matters of health care affects far more than physicians. The plight of patients suddenly obliged to forgo the continuity of their medical care by the forcible removal of their long term physicians via the challenging of their license is illustrated in press and Internet releases entitled, “Patient Mortality Linked to Judicial Errors.” Noted are certain fragile patients who, “vulnerable, sick, alone, frightened and suddenly deprived of their main lifeline (their physician), became acutely demoralized, refused referrals to other doctors or failed to bond with them, eventually giving up their will to live and neglecting their medical needs.” One physician reported the untimely deaths of 7 patients, including one from suicide, the rapid decline of 8 Alzheimer’s and the relapses of 12 psychiatric patients leading to their serial hospitalizations.”

In response, petitions have now been forwarded to agencies concerned with patient20welfare, calling for independent impact studies on state-ordered patient abandonment. Agencies contacted include the U.S. Health and Human Services Administration (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. The petition has also been sent to Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, NYSDOH.

This landmark study, of major interest to medical, psychiatric and medico-legal communities and the public at large, would aim to show that abruptly severing medical and psychiatric services by state agencies has serious and sometimes fatal consequences for patients – especially patients who are disadvantaged, infirm, chronically ill or psychiatrically disabled. It would also suggest remedial action. Indeed, if state agencies assume the power of terminating the basic care to patients provided for by their physicians, they presumably also should accept the responsibility for adequately supporting said patients through crisis, by providing them with life-saving continuity of care.

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No Shots! No Medication! Long Beach, California Allergy Sufferers Relieved With New Laser Technology

AllergiCare™ Relief Centers of Long Beach www.AllergiCare.com/clinics/longbeach opened last week and patients have already seen tremendous success with the clinic’s new state-of-the-art laser technology.

The new technique, called “immune conditioning”, that is offered by the clinics is unique in that there are no scratch tests, allergy shots or medication involved. Instead, computer technology and laser therapy are used to eliminate negative reactions to what would ordinarily be a harmless substance.

“What makes our method of diagnosis and treatment different from other available treatments for allergy symptoms, such as allergy shots and medication,” says Long Beach clinic director Chris Turner, DC, “is that this technique enables us to better identify the specific allergen or sensitivity from our database of over 10,000 different substances. Through this identification, which is enabled by our unique computer system, we can relieve the patient’s sensitivities much more precisely, which in turn provides us with greater results”.

AllergiCare™ Relief Centers’ system assists the practitioner in the diagnosis and relief of allergy symptoms in a non-invasive, drug-free environment. This system has been shown effective with all types of allergies, including seasonal symptoms related to hay fever, pollen, grasses and trees; environmental substances such as pollutants, chemicals, dust and dust mites; food allergens such as fruit, dairy, and nuts; and pet allergens among others. AllergiCare™ Relief Centers addresses the problem at its source rather than just treating the symptoms.

“An allergy is simply an inappropriate response developed by your body as a result of some negative interaction with a certain substance” Dr. Turner explains. “This programmed response triggers a reaction within your body. These reactions may include sneezing, runny nose, itching, watery eyes, headaches and difficulty breathing. Other symptomatic diagnoses such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, asthma, autoimmune conditions, chronic fatigue syndrome, psoriasis, acid reflux, fibromyalgia, and autism have also been very closely linked to underlying allergic reactions to various substances. Once a sensitivity to a particular substance is identified, our system works to neutralize that negative response so that future exposure to that substance no longer triggers these irritating reactions.”

Many patients notice significant results after receiving just a single treatment. As each treatment addresses only one substance category, allergies to multiple substances may require multiple treatments. The cost per treatment is very affordable when compared to other methods.


AllergiCare™ Relief Centers of Long Beach
www.AllergiCare.com/clinics/longbeach is located in Long Beach, California at 3530 Atlantic Ave., Suite 101. For more information, to make an appointment, or for a list of other AllergiCare™ Relief Centers locations, call 562-595-5949 or visit www.allergicare.com/clinics/longbeach

* * * * * *

Disclaimer
Due to the unpredictable nature of allergies, sensitivities and the immune system, AllergiCare™ Relief Centers cannot guarantee any results, as is the case with all forms of healthcare. AllergiCare™ Relief Centers also cannot guarantee that new allergies or sensitivities will not develop in the future. While AllergiCare™ Relief Centers can treat most forms of allergies and sensitivities, some case do not respond to the treatment. AllergiCare™ Relief Centers does not treat cases of anaphylaxis.

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Barack Obama Signs Proclamation Save Your Vision Week 2009 – BiCOM with Glaucoma Eye Test Diaton is Preparing to Help

Barack Obama, President of the United States of America proclaims March 1 through March 7, 2009, as Save Your Vision Week. BiCOM Inc home of Glaucoma Eye Test Diaton – non-contact Glaucoma Eye Test through the Eyelid is prepared to assist with vision screenings. Roman Iospa, CEO of BiCOM comments on Presidents support of glaucoma screenings. Early diagnosis and timely treatment are critical to minimize vision loss from eye diseases.

Proclamation by the president of the United Stated of America addresses the important issue of Blindness and visual impairment that affects millions of Americans. Early diagnosis and timely treatment are critical to minimize vision loss from eye diseases. During Save Your Vision Week – Barack Obama encourages all Americans to take action to prevent their vision loss.

BiCOM Inc. home of Glaucoma Eye Test Diaton Tonometer (IOP through the Eyelid), has been a long supporter of preventive glaucoma screenings. At a recent free glaucoma screening event where BiCOM in conjunction with SAVE Program (Sight for a Vision Exchange) and The Congressional Glaucoma Caucus Foundation conducted at New York City Children’s Services in honor of African American Heritage Celebration has revealed many with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) a major risk factor for glaucoma. Patients were referred to an ophthalmologist Dr. Lynnette P. Williams-Young a glaucoma specialist for further evaluation.

Unfortunately, most people have limited knowledge of blinding eye disorders. Based on National Eye Institute 2005 study, only eight percent of respondents knew that glaucoma, a condition that can damage the optic nerve and cause vision loss and blindness, strikes without early warning. Similarly, glaucoma also begins as a silent vision threat; as per Prevent Blindness America, it is estimated that of those Americans that have glaucoma, only half know they have it. It is estimated that 60 million Americans are at risk for developing glaucoma.

Everyone should be screened, especially with availability of new non-invasive (over the eyelid) glaucoma screening technology aka “Glaucoma Eye TestDiaton tonometer available to optometrists, ophthalmologists and general physicians, enabling doctors to quickly and painlessly screen individuals at risk.

Several demographic groups are at higher risk for visual impairment, including teenagers, diabetics, Hispanics, African Americans, and the economically disadvantaged. Older Americans are more susceptible to eye conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. Children need regular vision screenings because vision disorders left untreated during childhood can lead to permanent visual impairment during adulthood.

President Obama stated, “Eye disease knows no bounds, and every American should take steps to protect his or her eyesight.”

To remind Americans about the importance of safeguarding their eyesight, the Congress, by joint resolution approved December 30, 1963, as amended (77 Stat. 629; 36 U.S.C. 138), has authorized and requested the President to proclaim the first week in March of each year as “Save Your Vision Week.”

“I’m pleased to see that President Barack Obama, with only weeks in the office is addressing an important issue of blindness, its early detection and timely treatment. My whole team at BiCOM Inc., and our partners are ready to continue our efforts and act on a larger scale by reaching out to many more people through awareness, training, glaucoma screening events and making “Glaucoma Eye Test” Diaton tonometer available to all that are willing to participate,“ said Roman Iospa, CEO of BiCOM Inc.

From the website of the White House:http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Save-Your-Vision-Week-2009/

“NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 1 through March 7, 2009, as Save Your Vision Week. During this time, I invite eye care professionals, teachers, members of the media, and all organizations dedicated to preserving eyesight to join in activities that will raise awareness of vision diseases and disorders.”

About BiCOM Inc:
BiCOM, with its 15 years of tradition and global clientele, has proven to be the enterprise of the highest level of professionalism, integrity and financial solvency. A unique team of engineers, medical, legal and business experts makes BiCOM Inc. the right place for global talent to find support and guidance. BiCOM Inc. sees its mission in bringing to market innovative products developed and manufactured worldwide. More about Diaton tonometer:
TonometerDiaton.com

BiCOM represents and supports Glaucoma Eye Test aka Diaton tonometers in over 50 countries and growing. BiCOM conducts Free Glaucoma Screening Events throughout the Globe.
BiCOM-Ophthalmic.com

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Who Is Pee Dee?

The recent Frontline special “My Father, My Brother, and Me” explored the effect that Parkinson’s disease (PD) has on the children of PD patients, a topic also explored in a recently published book by Parkinson’s in the Park founder Kay Mixson Jenkins.

Ms. Jenkins was diagnosed with PD at the age of thirty-four and has been an advocate for research and patient support since. Her book, Who Is Pee Dee? Explaining Parkinson’s Disease to a Child, addresses the impact the disease has on the relatives of those with PD—especially their children.

Talking with a child about a disease that manifests itself through physical symptoms can be difficult because of the mental toll it also takes on a family. It’s a conversation that more and more people are having with their kids. More than six million people worldwide have been diagnosed with PD, and one in ten patients diagnosed are under the age of fifty.

In Who Is Pee Dee?, Ms. Jenkins uses a stuffed Panda bear named Pee Dee and a boy named Colt to answer many of the most common questions that kids have about the chronic illness:

• What is Parkinson’s disease?
• Why is Mommy or Daddy upset?
• What can I do to help?
• Why is Mommy moving slowly?

“As I’ve gotten older,” says Ms. Jenkins, “the disease has progressed. There will come a day when I’ll have to use a cane or a wheelchair, but I am determined to make my grandchildren proud of their ‘Muffin.’ I’m not going down without a fight.”

Ms. Jenkins says that it is crucial for people living with Parkinson’s to have resources to help them adjust to their new lives. Who is Pee Dee? includes pages of resources for adults, including websites, support groups and more.

Kay Mixson Jenkins is the Georgia state co-coordinator for the Parkinson’s Action Network, leads the Effingham County Parkinson’s support group and was selected as a Parkinson’s patient advocate for UCB, Inc.

For more information, contact the author directly via kmj@parkinsonsinthepark.org.

(Who Is Pee Dee? Explaining Parkinson’s Disease to a Child by Kay Mixson Jenkins; illustrated by Richard Morgan; ISBN: 978-0-9819129-0-5; $12.95; 33 pages; 8” x 8”; hardcover; UCB, Inc.)

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