UCSD First to Treat Brain Cancer with Viral Vector -Head and Neck ...

UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center researchers and surgeons are among the first in the nation to treat patients with recurrent brain cancer by directly injecting an investigational viral vector into their tumor. The treatment is being developed by a local San Diego Company, Tocagen Inc.

?This clinical trial targets glioblastoma ? one of the deadliest forms of brain tumor,? said principal investigator Santosh Kesari, MD, PhD, director of neuro-oncology in the Moores Cancer Center and in the Department of Neurosciences at the University of California, San Diego. ?Clinical trials of investigational therapies such as this may lead to new treatment options for patients battling this deadly disease.?

The current standard of care for a newly diagnosed, high-grade glioma includes surgically removing as much of the tumor as possible, followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Despite these measures, the tumor usually recurs making this trial a high priority.?

The trial is investigating the use of Toca 511 (vocimagene amiretrorepvec), for injection in combination with Toca FC (flucytosine), extended-release tablets. Toca 511 is a retroviral replicating vector (RRV) that is designed to deliver a cytosine deaminase (CD) gene selectively to cancer cells. After allowing time for the administered Toca 511 to spread through the cancerous tumor those cancer cells expressing the CD gene can convert flucytosine into the anti-cancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). In this study, patients receive cycles of oral Toca FC monthly for up to six months.

?This may provide a way to destroy the cancer cells without disrupting delicate neurocircuitry,? explained surgeon scientist Clark Chen, MD, PhD, director of stereotactic and radiosurgery, UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center and an investigator on the study. Chen administered Toca 511 into the first patients who have participated in this clinical trial at UC San Diego. ?We fused the patient?s CT scan to their MRI and used neuro-navigation software to calculate exactly where in the tumor we needed to place the injection of Toca 511. The patients were given the injection and discharged from the hospital the day after the procedure.?

Co-investigator Bob Carter, MD, PhD, chief of the Division of Neurosurgery at UC San Diego Medical Center and Moores Cancer Center, noted that this novel agent is the culmination of years of multi-disciplinary efforts. ?Tocagen?s investigational therapy, Toca 511 & Toca FC, is a representative example of the culmination of many technological advances that have come to pass during the last three decades,? said Carter. ?It is a convergence of years of hard work by dedicated public and private practitioners in many different fields ? including molecular biologists, basic scientists, virologists, physicists, mathematicians, surgeons, computer scientists, manufacturing experts, regulatory experts, and oncologists.?

For Kesari, whose doctoral thesis focused on viral therapy for brain tumors, this has been a passion for 20 years. ?I started this kind of research two decades ago, and to see a new technology like Toca 511 advance from bench to bedside completes the circle. This is the moment physician-researchers live for.?

?This trial is an exciting realization of the ability to help our patients that comes from outstanding science combined with innovative thinking and the desire to deliver compassionate care,? said William C. Mobley, MD, PhD, chair of the Department of Neurosciences at the UC San Diego School of Medicine. ?At UC San Diego, we are intent upon transforming the care of patients with disorders of the brain.?

Participants in this clinical trial must be 18 years or older; have a single, recurrent Grade three or four glioma and have had prior surgery and chemoradiation.

###
About UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center
UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center is home to nearly 350 medical and radiation oncologists, cancer surgeons, and researchers. It is one of only 40 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the country, a rare honor distinguishing exceptionally high achievement in research, clinical care, education and community outreach and partnerships.?

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Sandler sets Razzie record: 11 worst-movie noms (omg!)

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) ? When Adam Sandler's bad, he's really bad, according to voters for the Razzies, an Academy Awards spoof that singles out the worst movies of the year.

Sandler received a record 11 nominations Saturday for the Razzies as star, producer or writer on three 2011 movies ? "Jack and Jill," ''Just Go with It" and "Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star."

That more than doubled the previous record of five Razzie nominations held by Eddie Murphy for 2007's "Norbit."

Sandler's nominations include worst actor for both "Jack and Jill" and "Just Go with It" ? and worst actress for "Jack and Jill," in which he plays a family man and his own twin sister.

Sandler also had two nominations as worst screen couple opposite Jennifer Aniston or Brooklyn Decker in "Just Go with It" and opposite Katie Holmes, Al Pacino or himself in "Jack and Jill."

As a producer, Sandler was credited with worst-picture and worst prequel, remake, rip-off or sequel nominations for both "Bucky Larson" and "Jack and Jill." He also shared in worst-screenplay nominations as a writer on both movies, and a worst-ensemble nomination for "Jack and Jill."

"It's almost karmic for someone to have made that much razz-able stuff in one year," said Razzies founder John Wilson. "He has angered someone really powerful, I would say."

Along with "Bucky Larson" and "Jack and Jill," worst-picture contenders are "New Year's Eve," ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon" and "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn ? Part 1."

"Jack and Jill" led with 12 nominations, with "Transformers" second with nine and "Breaking Dawn" right behind with eight.

Razzie nominations were released on the eve of the Oscars. Winners will be announced on April Fool's Day.

For worst actor, Sandler is up against "Bucky Larson" star Nick Swardson, along with Russell Brand for "Arthur"; Nicolas Cage for "Drive Angry," ''Season of the Witch" and "Trespass"; and Taylor Lautner for "Abduction" and "Breaking Dawn."

Swardson also was nominated for worst supporting actor for "Jack and Jill" and "Just Go with It."

For worst actress, Sandler is joined by another cross-dressing actor, Martin Lawrence in "Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son." Also nominated were Sarah Palin for her documentary "The Undefeated"; Sarah Jessica Parker for "I Don't Know How She Does It" and "New Year's Eve"; and Kristen Stewart for "Breaking Dawn."

Several Oscar winners made the Razzies list, among them Cage (a best-actor winner for "Leaving Las Vegas") and Pacino (a best-actor winner for "Scent of a Woman"), who was nominated for worst supporting actor for "Jack and Jill."

Bill Condon, an Oscar winner for his "Gods and Monsters" screenplay, was among the worst-director nominees at the Razzies for "Breaking Dawn."

The group traditionally has announced its nominees the day before the Oscar nominations and its winners the night before the Oscars. But Wilson and the roughly 600 voting members for the Razzies decided to experiment with an April 1 date this time, figuring April Fool's Day was an ideal time for their mock ceremony.

"I have always wondered if we stepped slightly away from lockstep with the Oscars, what would happen," Wilson said. "We just kept hoping the Oscars would do their ceremony on April 2, but they just never did."

___

Online:

http://www.razzies.com

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/omg_rss/rss_omg_en/news_sandler_sets_razzie_record11_worst_movie_noms_020146996/44648824/*http%3A//omg.yahoo.com/news/sandler-sets-razzie-record-11-worst-movie-noms-020146996.html

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That 7.7-inch Toshiba tablet we saw at CES? It's called the AT270, and it runs Tegra 3

To explore NVIDIA's booth here at Mobile World Congress is to play a game of duck-duck-goose. For the most part, you'll see the Transformer Prime (the first quad-core tablet, don'tcha know) outputting video and 3D games. But look closely and you'll find something a little less expected. Hidden among all those spun metal Primes is an unannounced Toshiba-made tablet, one with an odd, in-between screen size we haven't seen it use in its Thrive line. Specifically, it's that 7.7-inch prototype we saw at CES, only the fact that it's here at NVIDIA's booth makes us think it would be too late for Toshiba to change its mind and pull the plug on this.

Certainly, it's far enough along that it now has confirmed specs. According to an NVIDIA rep, this has a 7.7-inch, 1280 x 800, Super AMOLED (!) panel, and runs NVIDIA's 1.5GHz Tegra 3 chip. And while NVIDIA isn't exactly broadcasting the name, a quick glance at the settings confirmed its current alias is the AT270, which would certainly make for a logical followup to the AT200. (A quick glance at the settings also confirms it's running ICS -- a vanilla version, at that -- but any self-respecting tech writer would know that instantly.)

It would also seem that Toshiba is feeling pretty confident about the design we saw at CES, because barely anything has changed. For starters, it's thin -- thin on the level of the 10-inch AT200. Which is to say, it's skinny in the wide world of tables, but especially so next to one of those chubby Thrives. The build quality also seems to have improved. Gone is the ridged plastic backing that makes the Thrives so recognizable, and in its place there's... more plastic. Still, it manages to not feel chintzy or poorly made -- think of the kind of finely textured plastic you'll find on the back of any Samsung Galaxy handset. Also on board: dual cameras of unknown resolutions, as well as an exposed microSD slot, volume rocker, 3.5mm headphone jack and USB socket. So there you have it. We've got spy shots below, so you can refuse to be surprised when this thing finally makes it to market.

Gallery: Toshiba AT270 prototype hands-on at Mobile World Congress 2012

That 7.7-inch Toshiba tablet we saw at CES? It's called the AT270, and it runs Tegra 3 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 12:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/27/that-7-7-inch-toshiba-tablet-we-saw-at-ces-its-called-the-at27/

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What Pharma Can Learn From the Railroads and IBM

Pharmaceutical companies are in trouble with ongoing patent cliffs with a clear choice facing them. They can follow the path of the railroad industry which is the path most are on right now. Alternatively, they can follow the path IBM took when its future was similarly bleak. IBM demonstrated how it's possible for a large company to shift from a product-centric culture to a customer and service centered company. It's clear that pharma companies will succeed or fail based not on how many drugs they sell, but on how well their offerings improve health outcomes.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/6YD1yoNJqmw/

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Your St. Louis Mortgage Refinance Questions Answered | Rai ...

Whether you live in the independent city of St. Louis, MO or you?re considering moving here, this stunning jewel of a town has much to offer. From the famous gateway arch to the St. Louis Cardinal?s baseball team, you?ll find a lot to love in this bustling, friendly atmosphere. No matter if you?re buying a home or considering refinancing into a low fixed rate, St. Louis mortgage refinance experts can help you get the information you need to make an informed decision. Here are some of the most common questions residents ask about the process of refinancing a home in St. Louis.

Advantages for First Time Home Buyers

First time homeowners often ask ?How much can I afford?? or ?Do I really have enough income to buy a home in St. Louis?? Fortunately, there are plenty of online mortgage calculators that can help you create a starting point for your mortgage refinance questions.

Home buyers can compare the differences between a fixed rate and an adjustable rate mortgage, how much you?ll save by making extra payments and how much you can afford. The mortgage refinance calculators offered by some online banks are a good place to start your research. Simply input a few basic numbers including your gross monthly income, debt/loan payments and your property tax rate and instantly see how much you could qualify for in a St. Louis home loan.

Advantages for Existing Homeowners

Existing St. Louis homeowners who are interested in locking in a lower rate can now take advantage of historically low interest rates to save money every month while lowering your monthly payments. Ask a St. Louis mortgage refinance advisor to give you a full-scale review before you decide to refinance your home loan. This free report will let you see just how much you can and how much you could reduce your monthly payment. You can also compare loans products including fixed rate and adjustable rate mortgages.

Going Beyond the Internet

Internet mortgage refinance calculators are helpful, but sometimes it?s beneficial to speak with a real person. That?s why if you have questions beyond just crunching the numbers and getting an overview of your home ownership finances, it?s a smart idea to seek out a local bank in the area concerning your mortgage refinance questions. Home loan consultants can help answer any and all questions about the local area, help you make sense of real estate terms and create a customized plan that can help you decide if a St. Louis mortgage refinance is right for you. Taking the initial steps now to become knowledgeable of the refinance process can potentially help you save hundreds or even thousands of dollars in the end.

Related Mortgage Refinance Articles

Related posts:

1. Your Mortgage Refinance Rates Questions Answered
2. Realty Estate Transaction ? Ask Several Questions To Find The Right Agent, Realtor Or Broker
3. Best Ways To Get Mortgage Refinance Help
4. Need Mortgage Refinance ?
5. Mortgage Refinance Can Save You Money

Posted in Mortgage Refinance | Comments Off
Tags: Answered, Louis, Mortgage, Questions, Refinance

Source: http://www.rai-chertkoff.com/2012/02/26/your-st-louis-mortgage-refinance-questions-answered/

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Are you making your spring allergies worse? Five things that can aggravate your suffering

ScienceDaily (Feb. 24, 2012) ? Fruits and veggies, air filters, spring breezes, procrastination and self-medication -- each can delay relief from a stuffy nose, sneezing, sniffling or other symptoms if you're one of the more than 35 million Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies.

"People with spring allergies often don't realize how many things can aggravate their allergy symptoms so they just muddle along and hope for an early end to the season," said Myron Zitt, M.D., past president of the ACAAI. "But there's no reason to suffer. A few simple adjustments in habits and treatment can make springtime much more enjoyable."

The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) and its allergist members alert people with spring allergies to be on the lookout for these five things that can aggravate suffering.

1. Noshing on fruits and veggies -- Many people with seasonal allergies also suffer from pollen food allergy syndrome (also called oral allergy syndrome), a cross-reaction between the similar proteins in certain types of fruits, vegetables (and some nuts) and the allergy-causing pollen. One in five people with grass allergies and as many as 70 percent of people with birch tree allergies suffer from the condition, which can make your lips tingle and swell and your mouth itch. The trick is to determine which problematic produce is causing your symptoms and then avoid eating it, (although you might be able to eat it if it's peeled, cooked or canned). If you're allergic to birch or alder trees, you might have a reaction to celery, cherries or apples. If you have grass allergies, tomatoes, potatoes or peaches may bother you. Usually the reaction is simply annoying and doesn't last long. But up to 9 percent of people have reactions that affect a part of their body beyond their mouth and 1.7 percent can suffer a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylactic shock. If you've had a systemic reaction, you should see an allergist and ask whether you should carry injectable epinephine.

2. Using the wrong air filter -- Using an air filter to keep your home pollen-free is a good idea, but be sure it's the right kind. Studies show inexpensive central furnace/air conditioning filters and ionic electrostatic room cleaners aren't helpful -- and in fact the latter releases ions, which can be an irritant. Whole-house filtration systems do work, but change the filters regularly or you could be doing more harm than good.

3. Opening your windows -- When your windows are open, the pollen can drift inside, settle into your carpet, furniture and car upholstery and continue to torture you. So keep your house and car windows shut during allergy season.

4. Procrastinating -- You may think you can put off or even do without medication this spring, but the next thing you know you're stuffed up, sneezing and downright miserable. Instead, get the jump on allergies by taking your medication before the season gets under way.

5. Self medicating -- Perhaps you're not sure exactly what's making you feel awful so you switch from one medication to the next hoping for relief. Your best bet is to see an allergist, who can determine just what's triggering your symptoms and suggest treatment.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), via Newswise.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120224110329.htm

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Positive Influence of Stress Management and How It Affects You ...

[unable to retrieve full-text content]The positive influence of stress management is really scores of. To enumerate some of the positive influence of stress management: 1. Because energy is put to good use, work productivity increases improvement a niche or ...

Source: http://www.healthylifestyleplus.com/mind/positive-influence-of-stress-management-and-how-it-affects-you/

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