Category Archives: Life Extension

BBC News

Charlie Gard: European Court orders life support extension BBC News The parents of a terminally-ill baby have been given more time to put forward a legal case that he should be allowed to go to the US for treatment. Life-support for Charlie Gard must continue until midnight on Monday, the European Court of Human Rights ... Charlie Gard to be kept on life support while European judges consider caseThe Guardian all 94 news articles »

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Charlie Gard: European Court orders life support extension - BBC News

June 12, 2017 09:00 ET | Source: ProLynx LLC

SAN FRANCISCO, June 12, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a late-breaking abstract at the 77th American Diabetes Association meeting in San Diego, ProLynx LLC announced a novel drug delivery system to support once-monthly subcutaneous (SC) administration of a GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) called PLX039 for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes (T2D). The work will be published in ACS Chemical Biology.

GLP-1RAs have emerged as an important standard-of-care drug class for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and are projected to command a $12 Bill market by 2024. These agonists auto-regulate blood glucose concentration, have anti-obesity effects, and may reduce risks for adverse cardiovascular events in patients with T2D. Currently, there are three once- or twice- daily and three once-weekly GLP-1RAs approved by the FDA; an additional once-weekly agonist and a long-acting osmotic pump delivery system are in late stage trials. Yet, poor medication adherence and persistence remain as major factors leading to failure of glycemic control in almost 50% of T2D patients. Now, ProLynx has used its half-life extension platform to develop a monthly-administered GLP-1RA. Compared to weekly-administered agonists, obvious benefits are believed to include greater patient convenience, compliance and persistence.

Daniel Santi, co-founder and President of ProLynx, said: This is the first GLP-1RA that does not require huge doses of a drug meant for weekly administration to maintain therapeutic levels over a monthly period. Santi added: PLX039 should find a dose-interval sweet-spot with its once-monthly administration. Some patients will find that a once-weekly dosing interval is too short, and will not want to have a long-acting osmotic pump implanted; for these patients, the once monthly GLP-1 receptor agonist PLX039 should be just right.

In the ProLynx half-life extension platform, a drug is tethered to hydrogel microspheres by a self-cleaving linker that is pre-programmed to release the drug at a pre-determined rate. After SC injection, the drug is slowly released from the microsphere depot into the systemic circulation. ProLynx attached their peptidic GLP-1RA a stabilized analog of exenatide to its hydrogel microspheres. After SC injection to rodents the GLP-1RA showed a serum half-life of one month. Monthly injections of the formulation in diabetic rats showed identical glucoregulatory effects as continuously infused exenatide, and simulation of the pharmacokinetics indicate it should serve well as a once-a-month treatment for T2D in humans.

About ProLynx. ProLynx LLC is a privately held biotechnology company developing proprietary drug delivery systems for half-life extension of proteins, peptides and small molecules. The company is seeking to apply its technology to extend half-lives of drug candidates of pharmaceutical companies, and to improve properties of off-patent therapeutics. ProLynx has a monthly GLP-1 receptor agonist and a subcutaneous long-acting octreotide in its pre-clinical portfolio, and a PEG~SN-38 in Phase 1 clinical trials. The company is located in San Francisco, CA. Further information about the company may be found at http://www.ProLynxllc.com.

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ProLynx announces PLX039, a hydrogel-microsphere drug delivery ... - GlobeNewswire (press release)

Ready, set, bake! In what looked like a scene from the Great British Bake Off, teens of the Super Star Chef Day Camp huddled around tables measuring and mixing, while sneaking glances at the team across the room. In a race to make carrot muffins, only taste would decide the winner at the Richmond Teen Center Tuesday afternoon.

Not just fun and games, the three-day cooking camp, hosted by the Madison County Cooperative Extension and the Teen Center, allowed teenagers the chance to learn kitchen and life skills from University of Kentucky nutrition education students.

At the start of the camp, participants were given a pre-test to measure the breadth of their cooking knowledge. Then, the real fun began baking.

Students were given the chance to demonstrate measuring skills, and learn the difference between measuring wet and dry ingredients.

While taking part in lessons and cooking one to two recipes each day, Olivia Hoelker, a camp instructor and University of Kentucky dietetics student, said the young participants would learn how to read a recipe, learn different cooking components and knife skills.

We want them to leave here feeling comfortable enough to go home and cook the recipes we provide for them and be confident in their skills, Hoelker said.

Held locally two years ago, the young people loved the program so much it was encored this year, according to Gina Noe, Madison County Extension Agent.

For some participants, it was their first introduction to cooking. Others, such as Floyd Ballew, 18, who wants to be a chef and cooks often at home, found the class as a chance to expand past the chicken and steak he often makes and into techniques such as baking.

Each day provides the youth a chance to try hello bites or tidbits of each of the prepared foods.

A lot of the kids have not tried the fruits and vegetables we provide, said Holeker, noting a big shock came last week in a different county, when a student admitted to have never tasted strawberries. Getting these kids to try new things is very exciting for us.

When the camp is completed, Noe said she hopes the participants walk away with a better enjoyment and appreciation for cooking, as well as the value of locally grown foods.

We want kids to make healthier choices so they can have healthier lives, elaborated Noe. Food can be the best medicine or the worst poison.

The camp was made possible through an UK College of Agriculture Nutrition Education Program.

Reach Critley King at 624-6623; follow her on Twitter @critleyking.

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Ready, set, bake! Teens learn life skills at cooking camp - Richmond Register

Fresno, Calif.-based DFI Marketing Inc. is using a new shelf-life extension technology for its melon exports to Asia.

The firm, with thousands of melon acres under management, said in a news release that it will use Hazel Melon by Chicago-based Hazel Technologies on all of its melon export containers to Asia this season.

Hazel Melon is a packaging insert, according to a news release.

After promising pilot trail results in 2016, Hazel Technology was funded by a $100,000 grant from the USDA Small Business Innovation Research program, according to the release.

After testing the Hazel Melon packets in our containers, we saw up to a 49% increase in marketable product after 30 days, a potential savings of as much as $10,000 per load, Ross Van Vlack, vice president of sales and marketing for DFI Marketing Inc., said in the release.

The Hazel Melon packets are simply placed in cartons and require no equipment, no water, no packing house changes, Van Vlack said in the release. We havent seen something that works this well in our many years in the melon industry.

Hazel Melon will be used at DFI for honeydew, cantaloupe, and mixed melons exports, according to the release. Hazel Technologies, according to the release, is working with growers in other fresh categories.

Patrick Flynn, co-founder of Hazel Technologies Inc., said June 8 the technology is a little different than the more common ethylene blocker shippers are used to seeing.

A key difference between the (ethylene filter) and the technology we are working on is that we are actually releasing active ingredients into carton, he said.

He described the technology as proactive compared to the reactive ethylene filter technology.

What we are doing is going out to get the ethylene as opposed to waiting for it, he said.

The technology improves shelf life and the uniformity of treatment in different parts of the carton, Flynn said.

Thats really important when you are talking about export arrivals because you want everything to arrive in uniform condition, he said.

The technology uses active ingredient 1-MCP, which is used extensively in the storage of apples and pears.

We are releasing it in a completely new way, over a long period of time, he said.

The release of the active ingredient, over a period of up to three weeks with a much lower concentration than the one-time apple/pear type treatment, effectively treats commodities like melons and other commodities like avocados effectively, he said.

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DFI Marketing uses new post-harvest technology with melon exports - The Packer

After Julian Edelman reportedly signed a two-year contract extension last week, many speculated this could be a sign the receiver plans to finish his career in New England, meaning he will go wire-to-wire with the franchise.

"Boston loves their athletes, and if you're in, you're in. Boston is also all about what Julian is; you just go to work and grind it out," Frank Edelman, Julian's dad, said to ESPN's Mike Reiss. "He loves Boston and everything about the Patriots. There are also a lot of off-field opportunities if you stay in Boston. We'd love to be a Patriot for life."

Frank Edelman noted the contract negotiations started a few months ago and they never wanted to see the talks get to apoint where anger or jealousy started to happen between the two sides.

"For a time, you're thinking maybe it won't happen," Frank said. "So it's always nice when it does, even when you get a feeling that it might have been hard for them to do it."

Edelman is now signed through the 2019 season when he will be 33 years old. It's also worth noting Tom Brady's contract is also up after this year.Given all the hits Edelman has taken over the course of his career, the 2019 season potentially could be his last, but if he does playbeyond that, he likely would be on one-year deals the rest of the way.

By him signing his extension now, before he hitsfree agency, it seems because of the good business relationship with the organization he will not play for another team the rest of his career.

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Julian Edelman's dad: 'We'd love to be a Patriot for life' - WEEI.com (blog)

Purdue Agricultural Communications

INWork - INnovate, INvest, INspire - Skills for Tomorrow's Workforce program Purdue Agricultural Communications The purpose of Purdue Extension's INWork INnovate, INvest, INspire Skills for Tomorrow's Workforce program is teaching life skills necessary to increase the number of qualified applicants for Indiana job openings. The Indiana Department of ...

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INWork - INnovate, INvest, INspire - Skills for Tomorrow's Workforce program - Purdue Agricultural Communications

Floyd is a horticulturist with Texas AgriLife Extension Service. He can be reached at 498-4071 in Ector County or 686-4700 in Midland County or by email at Jeff.Floyd@ag.tamu.edu

Floyd is an Agri-Life Extension agent for Ector and Midland counties. To learn more, call the Ector County Extension office at 432-498-4072, or the Midland County Extension office at 432-686-4700, or email jeff.floyd@ag.tamu.edu.

Tomato bird damage

Posted: Sunday, June 11, 2017 3:00 am

GARDENING: Harvest tomatoes before the birds do By Jeff Floyd Odessa American

Birds are cunning. Theyre watching your tomatoes more closely than you are, waiting for the fruit to turn the perfect shade of red so they can make their move.

Many times, theyll peck at the fruit just enough to dash your dreams of a big crop. Oh, that wretched feeling of spotting a bright red tomato on the vine only to discover it has a chunk wallowed out of one side by some devious fowl.

This is an easy problem to avoid. Simply harvest your tomatoes just as they begin to turn pink. Then lay them out on a flat surface without allowing them to touch one another and keep them between seventy and seventy-five degrees until ripe. Thats it. Problem solved.

We hear a lot about vine ripened tomatoes tasting better than those harvested early. Not true. The concentration of sugars in vine-ripened tomatoes is the same as those harvested just as they begin to turn. An added advantage to harvesting often and early is that some tomato plants will be more productive and yield larger fruit.

Tomatoes depend on the right temperature and a couple of naturally produced chemicals to ripen; ethylene and lycopene. Ethylene is a gas responsible for accumulating lycopene in tomatoes. Lycopene is a pigment that gives tomatoes color. Ethylene and lycopene work hand in hand to complete the ripening process.

When temperatures remain hot (above 85) for extended periods, ethylene production slows or stops. Many gardeners become frustrated with late summer green tomatoes. Sometimes the harvest is delayed until better conditions restart the ripening process. Those rascally winged thieves are counting on you to wait. Rather than postpone your harvest for ideal conditions, turn the tables on birds by snatching your tomatoes off the vine early and allowing them to ripen indoors.

To learn more about having a successful tomato harvest this year, contact the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office at 498-4071 or email jeff.floyd@ag.tamu.edu.

Posted in Gardening on Sunday, June 11, 2017 3:00 am. | Tags: Texas A&m Agrilife Extension Office, Jeff Floyd, Pecans, Pruning, Prune, Soft Landscape Materials, Landscape, Gardening, Gardener, Food, Integra, Repeat Applications, West Texas

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GARDENING: Harvest tomatoes before the birds do - Odessa American

Orphan Black might be nearing the end of its run, but the heart pumping sci-fi drama isn't going down without a fight. Picking up right where we left off at the end of Season 4, Sarah Manning (Tatiana Maslany) fights for survival after a brutal battle with Rachel Duncan (Tatiana Maslany) left her bruised and broken. Meanwhile, Delphine (Evelyne Brochu) and Cosima (Tatiana Maslany) finally have that reunion we've been waiting for since last season and Felix (Jordan Gavaris) is doing everything he can to keep his family alive. With so much happening at once, we're breaking down the biggest revelations of the Season 5 opener.

1. The Revival At the end of Season 4, Cosima was captured and taken to a mysterious outdoors camp which we now know is called Revival. The self-sufficient base, located on the Island, is made up of people who were genetically chosen to live there with the hopes of improving the human race. We previously saw them in Rachel's visions back in season 3 so it shouldn't come as a surprise that she's now one of their leaders.

Members of the Revival participate in "crazy science" treatments like stem cell therapy, cryonics, caloric restrictions, immunotherapy, and cloning in order to prolong life expectancy. "When you think about it, if you wanted to genetically improve the human race, life extension is the first principle," Delphine says after referring to them the "heart of the Neolutionists." She's got a point.

2. Art's New Partner Unfortunately for Detective Art Bell (Kevin Hanchard), he's paired with a Neolutionist named Maddy who's been described as a misogynist. From the little we've seen of her, she's a bit rough around the edges and is willing to do whatever it takes (like holding a gun to Art's head in order to get Alison to talk) to accomplish her goals. Things aren't looking good now that she's got an eye on our favorite preppy clone. Threat level: major.

3. Rachel's Unexpected Alliance After killing Susan Duncan, Rachel has taken over as a mouthpiece for Revival founder P.T. Westmorland. When she confronts Cosima, who is trying to inject her uterus with Castor DNA before the others catch her, it's shocking to see Duncan help out her fellow clone rather than kill her.

Even more startling is the fact that Cosima trusts Rachel to use that giant needle on her. "You and I are going to cure us all," Rachel says after revealing that Westmorland wants Cosima to be a part of his plan. Hopefully, it won't be at Cosima's expense.

Some burning questions...

Are Helena's babies okay? I know they probably have super healing abilities but a branch through the abdomen is not a good look.

What is the Fountain? And why is the Revival so thirsty for it?

What is this feral creature roaming the woods? Given that Revival loves to experiment on people, I'm guessing the ferocious being is one of them gone wrong.

What's up with Sarah's visions? Is Kira communicating with her? Last season, we learned her daughter can feel all of the Leda clones so it's possible.

How does Aisha tie into everything? We do know that she has cancer and was brought to the Revival for experimental treatment. Delphine hinted that she's a major part of their agenda but in what capacity remains unclear.

With Cosima gambling on her health and Sarah currently held captive by Rachel, does this mean a clone will die this season? We previously contemplated the idea as it would surely bring the others closer together.

And keen observations...

Sara using a tampon as a bandage is brilliant. BRB, packing them in my emergency kit.

Alison and Donnie are hiding out in a national park in the nicest homemade tent I've ever seen. Even in nature, they're still so fancy. You already know.... (sorry)

"I almost hit you with a pan!" "Well, I almost shot you so we're even." So when are Art and Felix getting that reluctant buddy cop spin-off we didn't know we needed until now?

Orphan Black airs Saturdays at 10/9c on BBC America.

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Orphan Black: 3 Major Revelations From the Season 5 Premiere - TV Guide (blog)

Earlier this week, the New England Patriots and their leading wide receiver of the last four years Julian Edelman agreed to a two-year contract extension. The deal will keep the 31-year old in New England through the 2019 season and pay him a maximum of $19.5 million over the next three years.

The extension prompted ESPN Bostons Mike Reiss to reach out to Edelmans father Frank to talk about his son and the new contract. And as Reiss states in his Sunday NFL thoughts column, the conversation confirmed the impression that the younger Edelman enjoys his time in New England and playing for the Patriots.

During his talk with Reiss, Frank Edelman pointed out how the Boston loves its athletes and how the city is a perfect spot for his son: "Boston is also all about what Julian is; you just go to work and grind it out. [...] He loves Boston and everything about the Patriots. There are also a lot of off-field opportunities if you stay in Boston."

Naturally, according to the Edelmans, they would prefer if it stayed that way: "We'd love to be a Patriot for life," Frank pointed out.

Given the length of the contract extension, this could very well be the case. After all, Edelman will enter free agency two months before turning 34. At this point, it would not be that big of a surprise to see him call it quits after going from late round afterthought to earning multiple Super Bowl rings and folk hero status in New England.

Reiss and Frank Edelman also talked about contract negotiations with the Patriots and his sons work ethic so make sure to take a look at the story.

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Patriots WR Julian Edelman's father would love his son to be "a Patriot for life" - Pats Pulpit

By Amy BurgessSpecial to The Times

Persistent drought conditions continue to make life hard for the states livestock producers. Even with the recent rainfall, many areas are still considered in a drought because of the lack of rainfall accumulated across the last few months. Many producers pastures and hayfields are stressed, giving weeds an opportunity to take over.

When forages are not available, livestock are tempted to eat weeds, which can cause health problems. An Alabama Extension weed scientist said it is crucial that producers know how to manage weeds in their pastures.

Dr. Joyce Tredaway said weeds usually are less of a nuisance in ideal conditions.

Weeds are usually not an issue when perennial forages, such as tall fescue, bahiagrass and Bermuda grass, are growing in ideal conditions because of the dense cover they form, Tredaway said. Weed infestations are usually caused by low nutrient levels, improper soil pH, insect infestations, disease and overgrazing.

Once weeds are established and drought conditions develop, many management options are no longer available or may not be successful.

Tredaway said producers need to keep several things in mind when managing weeds.

Weeds under drought stress develop a thick, waxy cuticle to help conserve water which reduces herbicide absorption, she said. Weeds under drought stress are generally not actively growing. So, you may see control significantly reduced.

Tredaway said the first step to managing weeds is to know what weed you are dealing with.

Producers should accurately identify the weed they are trying to control. It is crucial to choose the correct herbicide, she said. Using a contact herbicide may be your best option. Drought-stressed plants do not translocate well, so using a systemic herbicide may be useless. The most important thing is to get an adequate coverage.

After drought conditions have eased, pasture or field recovery depends on several factors.

After a drought, producers should survey their fields, said Tredaway. When doing this, it is important to keep a few questions in mind:vDo you have a lot of open spaces in your pasture or hayvfield? Are open spaces filled in by winter annuals? What does your forage stand look like?

Tredaway also said producers should do soil tests and get the pH and fertility levels correct in their pastures or fields.

Soil tests tell you the pH of the soil and nutrient levels, she said. A fields pH should register between 6.3 6.7. If needed, apply lime at least 6 months prior to grass green-up. Fertility must be right in order for forages to grow at their maximum capacity.

For more information on the drought and its effects, visit http://drought.aces.edu/ or contact the Etowah County Extension Office.

Summer 4-H funshops are available for young people ages 8 to 18 who live or attend school in Etowah County. 4-H membership isnt required to participate. Call the Etowah County Extension Office for more information.

June 20: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Riverkids; Terrapin Outdoor Center; $20 per person; bring a sack lunch; registration deadline is June 15.

June 21: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., hiking the 2.9-mile Black Creek Trail at Noccalula Falls; $10 per person, includes park admission; registration deadline is June 15.

June 22-23: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., cooking and canning; Northeast Etowah Community Center; $15 per person; bring a sack lunch; registration deadline is June 15.

July 11: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., CPR, first aid and basic life support; Extension Auditorium; $10 per person, includes lunch; participants will receive certification cards; registration deadline is July 5.

July 13 and 15: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Riverkids; Terrapin Outdoor Center; $20 per person each day; bring a sack lunch; registration deadline is June 15.

July 27-30: Black Creek 4-H Archery Tournament at Noccalula Falls; call the Extension Office for more details.

For more information on this topic and many others, contact the Etowah County Extension Office, 256-547-7936 or 3200-A W. Meighan Blvd., Gadsden. Amy Burgess is extension coordinator for the Etowah County Extension Office.

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EXTENSION CORNER: It's crucial for producers to know how to manage weeds - Gadsden Times