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AcroMetrix Announces The Release Of OptiQual(R) GBS Positive Control For Use With Diagnostic Assays That Detect Group B Streptococcus
AcroMetrix, a leading manufacturer of quality control standards and controls for clinical diagnostic and blood testing laboratories, announced the release of the first standardized quality control for molecular Group B Streptococcus (GBS) testing. The OptiQual GBS Positive Control is designed to help clinical laboratories comply with CLIA guidelines for qualitative molecular assays that detect Group B Streptococcus DNA, ensuring accuracy and precision throughout the testing procedure.

Screening Prevents Aneurysm Deaths, But Questions Remain Over Cost Effectiveness
The national aortic screening programme in the UK should, in due course, prevent about half of all aneurysm deaths in men over 65 and will be extremely cost effective for the NHS, conclude researchers in a study published on bmj.com. However a second study, also published today, concludes that screening is not cost effective and calls for additional research into the long term outcomes and costs of screening.
News of the day
Obama, Pope Focus On Abortion, 'Life' Issues In First Meeting
In their first meeting, President Obama and Pope Benedict XVI on Friday discussed their views on abortion, embryonic stem cell research and the rights of health care workers to object to procedures and services that go against their beliefs, the Los Angeles Times reports. During a 30-minute discussion, the pope expressed to Obama his beliefs about "the defense and promotion of life and the right to abide by one"s conscience," according to the Vatican. The Times reports that the statement was a "clear reference" to debates over abortion rights, embryonic stem cell research and "conscience" protections for health care providers who refuse care on moral or religious grounds (Chu, Los Angeles Times, 7/11).According to Time, Benedict showed "no intention of papering over differences on what the Vatican calls "life" issues," including abortion rights. Vatican spokesperson the Rev. Federico Lombardi said that the pope told him how Obama "explicitly expressed his commitment to reducing the number of abortions and to listen to the Church"s concerns on moral issues" (Israely, Time, 7/10). According to White House deputy national security aide Denis McDonough, Obama was "eager to find common ground on these issues and to work aggressively to do that" (Simpson/Feller, AP/Boston Globe, 7/11). However, "[I]t may just be that there"s issues that you can"t come to agreement on," McDonough added, noting that Obama believes that "you can disagree without being disagreeable" (Los Angeles Times, 7/11).Montsignor Georg Ganswein, the pope"s personal secretary, said that Obama was given a copy of "Dignitas Personae," or "The Dignity of a Person," a Vatican document released in December detailing the Roman Catholic Church"s most recent stance on bioethics issues (Time, 7/10). The document "hardened" the Church"s opposition to embryonic stem cell research, cloning and in vitro fertilization (AP/Boston Globe, 7/11). Obama assured the pope he would read the document that day on his flight from Italy to Ghana. Ganswein said that the document "can help the president better understand the position of the Catholic Church." Lombardi noted that it "would be ambiguous to hide or minimize what we believe," adding, "It"s not meant to be divisive or polemical" (Time, 7/10).
Diagnostics

Sol-Gel Anti-Acne Clinical Study Shows Significantly Improved Efficacy And Safety

Sol-Gel Technologies Ltd, a specialty pharmaceuticals company, announced today results from a comparative clinical study. The results demonstrate that the company"s two strength Anti-Acne kits achieved pronounced efficacy and markedly improved tolerability. The study will be presented at the 10th International Congress of Dermatology in Prague, May 20-23, 2009. "As early as week two we noted a very early reduction of acne lesions, which was significantly superior to leading commercial products, and at week four a 75 percent improvement was achieved," said Stanley Shapiro, PhD, Head of Sol-Gel"s Skin Care Science & Technology unit. "Throughout the study Sol-Gel"s high-strength kits were significantly better tolerated than the two commercial products." The Sol-Gel Anti-Acne kits feature Sol-Gel"s patented drug delivery technology. "In the Sol-Gel kits, the proprietary silica microcapsules encase and continuously release the benzoyl peroxide, enabling a significant increase in efficacy and tolerance in comparison to products containing free benzoyl peroxide," said Ofer Toledano, PhD, VP, Research and Development. The principles of the Sol-Gel encapsulation system will also be presented at the Dermatology Congress. Study Methodology Participants in the double-blind, controlled and randomized, 4-week, 4-arm parallel groups were randomized to receive one of Sol-Gel"s kits or of a comparable leading commercial products. Safety and tolerability were assessed by the Principal Investigator dermatologist who also evaluated the rates and grades of erythema, edema, dryness, scaling/peeling, stinging/burning, itching and skin tightness. Efficacy was assessed by lesions count, including total lesions count, inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions and Investigator Global Assessment by improvement of Severity Score. Sol-Gel"s Anti-Acne Kits Sol-Gel"s Anti-Acne kits provide a fast-acting, highly-effective and well-tolerated benzoyl peroxide-based acne care program. In contrast to other treatments, the kits deliver visible reduction of acne as quickly as within three days and after two weeks significantly out-perform the leading brand in the resolution of acne and remain substantially more effective with continued use. The Kits, available in two strengths, both treat and prevent acne. Starting with the cleanser, toner and lotion, and optionally adding a spot treatment, the Sol-Gel regimens include timed-release benzoyl peroxide in combination with ingredients that clean, heal and balance the skin. They treat the entire face to reveal clear, blemish-free skin faster - without the dryness and skin irritation caused by other acne treatments. Sol-Gel Technologies


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