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Individual Bacterial Cells Are Capable Of Quorum Sensing When Confined In Small Volumes
Infections of wounds, pneumonia, etc. in hospitals in particular are often caused by bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Once they reach a certain density, colonies of Pseudomonas aeruginosa produce virulence factors and can enter into a slimy state, a biofilm, which prevents antibiotics from penetrating. The process of quorum sensing, which cells use to "sense" cell density, is triggered when the concentration of certain signaling compounds generated by the bacteria reaches a threshold level. A team working with Rustem F. Ismagilov at the University of Chicago has now demonstrated that the absolute number of cells is irrelevant; only the number of bacteria in a given volume plays a role. As the researchers report in the journal Angewandte Chemie, they were even able to trigger quorum-sensing processes in single cells when these were confined in extremely small volumes.

Statement By Medicare Rights Center President Joseph Baker On Recent Progress Toward Passage Of Health Reform Legislation
Yesterday"s Senate HELP Committee"s vote for a health reform bill and the beginning today of the committee markup process in the House of Representatives mark significant steps forward on the path to comprehensive health reform.
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Fungal Toxin Mystery Solved Using Biolog's Phenotype MicroArrayTM Technology
An important breakthrough in fungal toxin biology has been made possible through the use of Biolog"s Phenotype MicroArray technology. This major advance is described in two recent publications from a group at CSIRO in Queensland, Australia. The work by Donald Gardiner and his collaborators has recently been published in online editions of the journals Fungal Genetics and Biology and Microbiology.
Oncology

Altus Pharmaceuticals Reports Dosing First Patient In A Phase 2 Trial Of ALTU-238 For Pediatric Growth Hormone Deficiency

Altus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ALTU) announced that patient dosing in its Phase 2 trial for ALTU-238 in growth hormone deficiency pediatric subjects began on June 2, 2009. ALTU-238 is a long-acting, extended-release formulation of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH, somatropin), which is being developed utilizing Altus" proprietary protein crystallization technology. ALTU-238 is a ready-to-use liquid suspension of crystallized rhGH that preserves the structure of the rhGH molecule without the need for pegylation, polymerization, or encapsulation and enables administration through a fine gauge needle. The Phase 2 ALTU-238 pediatric trial is being conducted in approximately 18 clinical sites in the U.S. and targets enrolling 36 growth hormone deficient pediatric patients. ALTU-238 has been studied in a series of Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies in healthy and GH deficiency adults. "Moving this pediatric trial forward is an important step in re-establishing the value of the ALTU-238 program and Altus," stated Dr. Georges Gemayel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Altus Pharmaceuticals. "This Phase 2 pediatric trial is the fifth clinical study to evaluate ALTU-238. Previous ALTU-238 studies have demonstrated pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) profiles that are supportive of and consistent with a once-per-week dosing regimen." The Company is also announcing that Kenneth Attie, M.D., Vice President of Clinical Development and Medical Affairs at Altus Pharmaceuticals, will be presenting results from a key Phase 1 study in the ALTU-238 development program at The Endocrine Society"s 91st Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. at the Washington Convention Center on Wednesday, June 10, 2009. The Endocrine Society"s Annual Meeting (ENDO) is a leading forum for physicians and other clinicians who treat endocrine conditions, including growth hormone disorders. Dr. Ken Attie stated, "As we present this Phase 1 data and start the Phase 2 trial, we believe ALTU-238 has the opportunity to demonstrate its unique advantages compared to daily growth hormone products as well as the other long-acting growth hormone candidates that are in development." Dr. Attie will be presenting a poster entitled, "Pharmacokinetic, Pharmacodynamic and Safety Results of ALTU-238, a Long-Acting, Crystalline Recombinant Human Growth Hormone, in Healthy Adults." The ALTU-238 Phase 1 trial evaluated the safety and PK/PD profile of a single dose of weekly ALTU-238 compared to seven injections of daily growth hormone. ALTU-238 was well tolerated in the one-week study that included 36 healthy, adult subjects. In addition, the Phase 1 PK/PD data is consistent with prior ALTU-238 clinical studies that supported a once-per-week dosing regimen. The Phase 1 trial results also indicate that the ALTU-238 material, produced at the current increased manufacturing scale, performs similarly to the material used in previous ALTU-238 studies. Altus Pharmaceuticals Inc.


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