New York, NY (PRWEB) March 10, 2011

The New York City-based S.L.E. Lupus Foundation and its West Coast division Lupus LA welcome the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) historic approval of BENLYSTA® (belimumab) for systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), which is now the first new treatment approved for the chronic autoimmune disease in more than half a century.

“I’ve been waiting for this day since I was diagnosed with lupus more than 40 years ago,” said Susan Golick, co-founder of the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation. “When my father Morrie and I started this organization in 1970, lupus was often a death sentence. We made it our mission to be a motivating force to the patient and medical communities, working to improve the lives of people with lupus while fighting for a cure. It’s been a long and frustrating journey, but we haven’t given up, and now we can be confident that industry and scientists aren’t giving up either. This is the start of a new era.”

The FDA announced on Thursday that BENLYSTA, developed by Human Genome Sciences (HGS) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), is approved for treatment of people with active systemic lupus. This decision followed its Arthritis Advisory Committee’s 13-2 vote on November 16, 2010 to recommend the drug’s approval.

BENLYSTA is the first targeted biological agent developed specifically for systemic lupus. Through multiple clinical trials, the drug proved to be effective in ameliorating the signs and symptoms of lupus, with few side effects. With its use, many study participants were also able to lessen their use of damaging corticosteroids (prednisone) and other medicines.

“After decades of suffering from harsh drugs with devastating side effects, people with lupus now have real options for safer and more effective treatments,” added the Foundation’s Executive Director Margaret Dowd. “This is a huge step forward for the lupus community and a victory for the 1.5 million Americans who struggle with lupus daily. Now we can stop looking back on the dearth of treatments over the past decades, and look forward to new research and accelerated drug development that will give us myriad therapies, more precise care, and a cure.”

“The wait is over, and the lupus community can now rejoice over today's historic approval, which marks a major milestone in lupus research and treatment,” said Richard Furie, MD, chief of the division of rheumatology and allergy-clinical rheumatology at North Shore-LIJ Health System in New York. “Not only does this approval add a new medication to the physician's toolbox, but it will also serve as a catalyst for yet more sorely needed drug research and development in lupus.”

About Lupus:

Lupus—systemic lupus erythematosus—is a chronic and often disabling autoimmune disease that is estimated to affect more than 1.5 million Americans. Ninety percent of people living with lupus are women, with the majority being of childbearing age. People with lupus suffer from symptoms including fever, intense fatigue and exhaustion, joint pains, cognitive problems and skin rashes. No two cases of lupus are alike, and the effects of the disease can range from kidney disease, premature heart disease, stroke or lung inflammation.

About the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation:

The S.L.E. Lupus Foundation, headquartered in New York City with a West Coast division in Los Angeles, is the country’s preeminent nonprofit organization providing direct patient services, education, public awareness and funding for novel lupus research on the national level. Learn more at LupusNY.org.

About Lupus LA:

Lupus LA, the West Coast division of the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation founded by renowned physician and author, Daniel J. Wallace, MD, serves the needs of people with lupus and their families in Los Angeles County and across southern California. Lupus LA raises awareness, conducts advocacy and community outreach, and supports novel lupus research on the national level. Learn more at LupusLA.org.

(PRWeb UK) March 10, 2011

Specially formulated to help fight fungal skin infections by killing infected skin spores that get trapped in underwear, towels and bath mats, Eradicil laundry sanitiser announces a special web site price at http://www.eradicil.co.uk, to encourage trial usage.

Common fungal skin infections such as athlete’s foot, fungal nail, impetigo, ringworm and jock itch are highly infectious and notoriously stubborn and difficult to get rid of. Many people suffer from repeat infection or infect other members of the household.

Tiny skin spores get trapped in underwear, socks, bed-linen, towels and bath mats and once people come into contact with the spores, they get infected or re-infected.

Normal washing with regular powders at economy, low temperatures is not sufficient to kill off the bacteria and thus starts the cycle of re-infection.

Eradicil has been formulated to kill most fungal and bacterial infections at temperatures as low as 15 degrees. Not only does it kill the infections lurking in socks, underwear and linen, but also sanitises the drum of the washing machine where harmful bacteria have been shown to linger.

Most over-the-counter remedies are only the first line of defense in getting rid of skin infections. Eradicil gives you the peace of mind that your laundry and machine have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after every wash.

Eradicil costs £7.99 per 100ml bottle including VAT. (Eradicil website only for the lowest price).

Indianapolis, IN (Vocus/PRWEB) March 09, 2011

For the millions of Americans who struggle to lose weight and keep it off, there may be help. According to a report published by the American College of Sports Medicine in the March/April issue of ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal®, the National Weight Control Registry (NWCR) has identified methods that thousands of individuals have used to successfully maintain weight loss.

“By studying people who have succeeded in losing weight and keeping it off, we have identified many commonalities behind successful weight loss,” said James O. Hill, Ph.D., co-founder of the NWCR.

More than 6,000 people have joined the NWCR. Nearly all (89 percent) have combined diet and exercise to achieve their successful weight loss. Most participants, 98 percent, exercise at home, and several participants, 40 percent, exercise with a friend. Walking is the most popular form of exercise among NWCR participants.

“One of the most important predictors of continued weight maintenance is sustained high levels of physical activity,” said Dr. Hill, who is also the executive director of the Anschutz Health & Wellness Center, a new health promotion and disease prevention center scheduled to open in spring 2012 at the University of Colorado. “Successful weight loss maintenance depends on sustaining the healthy lifestyle behaviors for which NWCR members are most known.”

Individuals looking to maintain weight loss should follow these seven tips, suggested by the NWCR:

1. Be active. More than half (54 percent) of NWCR members expend more than 2,000 calories each week. This equals about 200 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise.

2. Turn off the television. About 63 percent of NWCR members watch television for fewer than ten hours per week.

3. Enjoy a low-calorie, low-fat diet. The average NWCR member consumes 1,380 calories per day, and less than 30 percent of these calories come from fat.

4. Keep your diet consistent. Resisting the urge to “splurge” on holidays or weekends, NWCR members eat the same foods on a regular basis.

5. Eat breakfast. Most NWCR members (78 percent) eat breakfast each day. This helps curb hunger and overeating later in the day.

6. Show some restraint. NWCR members exert great control over their eating habits, and they rarely overeat.

7. Keep track of your progress. Weighing in at least once a day and keeping track of food intake is essential for most NWCR members.

The National Weight Control Registry was founded in 1994 by Dr. Hill and Rena Wing, Ph.D., to identify individuals who maintain substantial weight loss and to determine the strategies that help these individuals succeed. All of the study participants are 18 years or older and have maintained weight loss of at least 30 lbs. for more than one year.

For ACSM’s recommendations on long-term weight loss, view the 2009 “Appropriate Physical Activity Intervention Strategies for Weight Loss and Prevention of Weight Regain for Adults” Position Stand.

The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. More than 40,000 international, national, and regional members and certified professionals are dedicated to advancing and integrating scientific research to provide educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine.

The Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, part of the Anschutz Medical Campus at the University of Colorado Denver, is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to helping individuals make necessary and lasting changes for healthier living and disease prevention. Its innovative programs will combine four existing areas of expertise – nutrition, physical fitness, weight management and integrative medicine – to provide a comprehensive approach to help people achieve their greatest possible health.

ACSM’s Health and Fitness Journal® is an official publication of the American College of Sports Medicine, and is available from Lippincott Williams & Wilkins at 1-800-638-6423.

Phoenix, AZ (Vocus/PRWEB) March 09, 2011

Growth Hormones Direct attended the Arnold Sports Festival with positive results. The Growth Hormones Direct booth was manned by spokesman, Don Frye, who signed autographs and handed out T-shirts promoting homeopathic Growth Hormone therapy to maximize training potential.

Clint Ethington of Growth Hormones Direct said, "We were the only group at the expo to offer Growth Hormone therapy. We're excited to experience the excitement that surrounded our product."

Other presenters in attendance included:

1. GNC
2. Optimum Nutrition
3. Animal
4. Met-RX
5. All American EFX
6. IDS Sports
7. And many more…

The EXPO stage hosted:

1. The Arnold Strongman Classic
2. prejudging for Ms. International, Fitness International and Figure International competitions
3. Arnold Amateur Strongman
4. Arnold Arm wrestling
5. Arnold Amateur Bodybuilding finals

Growth Hormones Direct urges consumers to watch 'Science Meet Nature' as they reap the benefits of optimizing their hormone levels through proper use of the homeopathic growth hormone formula. Optimal hormone levels allow individuals to enjoy increased general health. Growth Hormones Direct is an Arizona based distributor of quality health foods, supplements, pharmaceuticals and neutraceuticals.

To get further information on Growth Hormones Direct or the benefits of the homeopathic growth hormone formula contact:

Contact: Clint Ethington
Company: Growth Hormones Direct
http://www.GrowthHormonesDirect.com
Phone: 480-281-7593

(Vocus/PRWEB) March 09, 2011

Bitesize exercise is a simple fitness iPad app. A short video clip illustrating the app is available at http://www.bitesize-exercise.com, together with a couple of screen shots from the app. The website homepage explains the app format, listing the different exercises and giving fitness tips on each exercise.

Bitesize exercise offers quick, effective and achievable exercises that can be done at the desk or in the home. No special equipment or clothing is required. It was compiled by Theresa Wright, an experienced Personal Trainer and Sports' Massage Practitioner, based in Newbury Berkshire UK.

This month Theresa Wright has created a Facebook page for Bitesize. She posts exercise and health tips every day and a healthy recipe compiled by herself on Wednesdays! To visit the page, go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/manage/?act=304640876#!/pages/Bitesize-exercise-fitness-tips/132668736800775.

The Bitesize Exercise Fitness iPad app uses ordinary people doing the exercises. Theresa has put up some photos of the auditions on the new Facebook Business page. This was such fun and everybody was laughing so much it’s a surprise that any successful candidates were picked at all! They were all so enthusiastic. Theresa chose regular “Jos” and “Joes” because she wanted to show that appropriate exercise is achievable to everyone, no matter age, ability or present fitness level. Through Bitesize Exercise fitness tips, each and every one one of us can get started on a fitter and thus, healthier lifestyle.

Theresa is looking for feedback from those who have purchased Bitesize Exercise. There is a “Testimonials” page up on the website now http://www.bitesize-exercise.com. Theresa is pleased to say that there are already a few positive feedbacks which have been uploaded. If you have bought Bitesize Exercise recently, please let her know what you think at support(at)bitesize-exercise(dot)com.

The other new feature on Bitesize Exercise is an “Articles” section. Theresa has been writing articles about fitness matters for nearly seven years now and has uploaded a selection onto the website. The articles range from the importance of flexibility as we get older, to advice on preparation for a major fitness challenge.

The quick, simple and achievable exercises can easily be performed whilst sitting at a desk or table. There are no set rules for how many times each exercise should be performed. Guidelines are offered to help get started. The whole idea is to build up a slow and consistent exercise routine that can be performed whenever and wherever possible. Bitesize Exercise offers fitness tips which encourage everyone to find the correct level of exercise for their ability.

Reston, VA (PRWEB) March 8, 2011

Harmony Information Systems, Inc.(Harmony), the leader in integrated health and human services management, today announced the results of a survey of Adult Protective Services (APS) professionals throughout the country, which shows a 78 percent increase in reported Elder Abuse cases in 2010. In the study, respondents cited an increase in the aging population and better awareness of elder abuse as the key drivers for the increase in reported abuse cases.

During the study, which took place during the fourth quarter of 2010 and at the National Adult Protective Services Association’s (NAPSA) Annual Conference, APS professionals were surveyed on trends occurring in adult abuse in their respective states and regions. While cases of abuse, such as self-neglect and emotional abuse continue to rise, 92 percent of respondents also cited an increase in financial exploitation cases since the beginning of the economic downturn. Financial exploitation includes forging an older person’s signature, cashing a senior’s checks without authorization, deceiving an elder adult into signing any contract, or misusing or stealing an older person’s money or possessions. According to the survey, since the start of the recession, 75 percent of survey respondents saw a 10 to 25 percent increase in financial exploitation cases reported.

With these increases in reported elder abuse cases, many APS organizations are struggling with the rise in demand for resources and services. In the study, 81 percent of APS professionals cited increase in demand without enough funding as the biggest challenge facing their organization. As these issues continue to grow, many agencies are also struggling with a reduction in staff and a lack of available resources.

In addition, many respondents are concerned with the current status of the Elder Justice Act, which would provide additional funds for the continuation of APS programs. Over 36 percent of respondents feel the Elder Justice Act won’t have any impact because it will not be funded, while 45 percent of APS professionals feel that the act will lead to the hiring of additional staff.

“With a growing aging population and a continued lack of resources, the results of this survey highlight the depth of concern APS professionals have as they face greater obstacles in protecting the elderly and other vulnerable adults,” said Joseph Sander, President and Chief Executive Officer for Harmony. “This increase in reported abuse and financial exploitation should be a red flag to government officials. Only through education, proper funding and technological innovation can APS organizations more effectively investigate reported cases of abuse and mitigate issues before they result in catastrophic events.”

The Harmony suite of solutions is the gold standard for aging services organizations throughout the country. Harmony for Aging and Adult Services is the most widely-used solution in the United States for home and community-based care and is relied on by the majority of agencies across the national aging network. Harmony for APS, which was introduced in 2009, is already live in three state-wide deployments. Together, these two Harmony products make up the only fully integrated suite of off-the-shelf solutions for aging and adult services organizations and their web-based delivery model shortens implementation times, decreases upfront capital expenses and provides anywhere, anytime access by case workers.

For additional information and access to the full survey results, please visit: http://info.harmonyis.com/APSIndustryReportRequest.html.

About Harmony
Harmony Information Systems Inc., (Harmony), the leader in integrated health and human services management, provides comprehensive solutions that enable organizations to manage growing consumer case loads with existing resources. The company’s end-to-end solutions manage the delivery of care for elders and intellectually disabled persons, enabling organizations to maximize outcomes while increasing service delivery efficiency, ensuring compliance with funding requirements, and automating Medicaid waiver processes. Harmony products are used by more than 450 state, local, and private provider human service organizations to manage both traditional and consumer-directed models of service. For more information on Harmony products and solutions, visit http://www.harmonyis.com or call us at 866.951.2219.

Mountville, PA (PRWEB) March 8, 2011

Medical Support Products Inc has launched a new ecommerce website to help customers quickly find and order the respiratory equipment and supplies that they need.

Medical Support Products offers a full line of products for respiratory care including: Medical Air Compressors, Airway Supplies and Monitors, BiPAP Supplies, Medical Blenders, Blood Pressure Monitors, CPAP Supplies, Emergency Medical Equipment, Medical Flowmeters & Regulators, Medical Batteries, Medical Hoses & Fittings, Nebulizers & Humidification, Pulse Oximeters, Oxygen Analyzers, Oxygen Monitors, Oxygen Sensors, Percussors, Spirometry Supplies, Suction Equipment and Ventilators.

The website also features a tool for building custom medical gas hose assemblies. The tool is easy to use and includes many different types of medical hoses, fittings and connectors.

Medical Support Products has provided superior customer service in the respiratory equipment industry since 1989. Medical Support Products’ offers 24-hour equipment rental service and a service & repair center with trained biomedical staff. MSP’s sales representatives are knowledgeable, registered respiratory therapists who will help you find the respiratory equipment you need.

For further information on services and products, educational materials, and respiratory news, visit the website at http://www.mspinc.com or call 1-800-226-3783.

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) March 8, 2011

On March 30, 2011, the Biomedical Engineering Society at San Jose State University will be hosting the Second Annual Bay Area Biomedical Device Conference.

Invited medical device experts from industry, academia and research institutions will be presenting and discussing recent developments and future trends.

"The Bay Area contains a large concentration of companies that conceive, design and manufacture a wide variety of biomedical devices. A conservative estimate puts the number of companies at 400, and the real number is probably much higher," explains Dr. Guna Selvaduray, Professor and Biomedical Engineering Coordinator at the College of Engineering at San Jose State University. "However, there is no local forum where the professionals in these companies can interact and network with each other and with university researchers. This conference series that SJSU has initiated is intended to provide such a venue, and also improve the collaborations between the corporate and academic worlds."

Working professionals in the medical device industry and related industries interested in gaining knowledge and awareness of recent breakthroughs, engineering solutions, and regulations in the medical device field are encouraged to attend this convention.

The renowned and distinguished speakers invited for this year include:

• Roy Bloebaum, Ph.D., University of Utah
• Debbie Brown, Asthmax
• Lisa Ferrara, Ph.D., Orthokinetic Technologies
• Hanson Fong, Ph.D., University of Washington
• Mark Gonzalgo, M.D., Ph.D., Stanford University
• Bryon Lambert, Ph.D., Abbott Vascular
• M. Meyyappan, Ph.D., NASA Ames Research Center
• Kim Butts Pauly, Ph.D., Stanford University
• Garth James, Ph.D., University of Montana
• Satya Prakash, Ph.D., McGill University
• Sanjay Shrivastava, Ph.D., ev3
• Sepehr Fariabi, Ph.D.
• Neha Choksi

Topics covered at the Conference will encompass many facets of the medical device industry, and will provide professionals an opportunity to learn about recent developments in:

• Imaging technologies
• FDA and CE regulations
• Drug and cell encapsulation
• Infections on implanted devices
• Orthopedics and prosthetics
• Advanced materials and technologies for medical device applications

This conference is also aimed at improving networking among industry professionals, university-industry collaborations, as well as representatives from our sponsors and exhibitors. This event is sponsored by Intuitive Surgical, Penumbra, NUTEK Corporation, San Jose State University: President's Office, National Biomedical Engineering Society, BAE Systems, Pulse Systems, Tdc, and Touchmark and co-sponsored by the Chinese Institute of Engineers, Golden Gate Polymer Forum, Bio2Device, Bodycote, and MEPTEC.

Additional information about the conference and registration information is available at:
http://www.engr.sjsu.edu/bmes/2011Conference/

About BMES@SJSU
The Biomedical Engineering Society at San Jose State University is dedicated to promoting the profession of biomedical engineering through the study, research, and discussion of current issues and technological advances. The student chapter promotes professional and academic excellence to its members by supplementing academic knowledge acquired in the classroom with professional, community, and social activities.

More than 200 volunteer advocates from the American Diabetes Association will meet with their Members of Congress this week, to urge them to support federal funding for diabetes research and prevention programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)…
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