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HIV/AIDS Education Project Targeting Pennsylvania Black Women Examined
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette profiled the Girlfriends Project, a domestic violence and HIV/AIDS education program implemented by the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force that targets at-risk black women in three Allegheny County, Pa., cities. Blacks "comprise just 7 percent of the total population in southwestern Pennsylvania but 41 percent of those living with HIV/AIDS, according to Allegheny County Health Department statistics provided by the task force," the Post-Gazette reports. "The Girlfriends Project was designed for Braddock, Clairton and Duquesne "because we knew nobody was doing outreach there," project coordinator, Lisa Dukes, said. As part of the project, Dukes hosts Tupperware party-style gatherings in homes of residents where she provides HIV testing and education, sexual health information, safe sex products and cash gift cards. The project is an outgrowth of the CDC"s prevention program Sisters Informing Sisters About Topics on AIDS, or SISTA, and has been so successful that CDC "has asked the task force to introduce it at the CDC"s 2009 National HIV Prevention Conference in Atlanta Aug. 23," the article states (Smith, 7/29).

Scientists Block Ebola Infection In Cell-Culture Experiments
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston have discovered two biochemical pathways that the Ebola virus relies on to infect cells. Using substances that block the activation of those pathways, they"ve prevented Ebola infection in cell culture experiments - potentially providing a critical early step in developing the first successful therapy for the deadly virus.
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Compugen Announces Positive Therapeutic Effects Of Novel Peptide In Animal Model Of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Compugen Ltd. (NASDAQ:CGEN) announced that CGEN-25007, a novel peptide antagonist of gp96 with potent anti-inflammatory activity, has shown positive therapeutic effects in an animal model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a commonly used term covering ulcerative colitis and Crohn"s disease.
Endocrinology

New England Cord Blood Bank Installs Automated Cord Blood Processing Line

New England Cord Blood Bank, Inc. (NECBB), a global cord blood processing and storage facility, announced today that it will be implementing an automated blood processing system at the company"s Newton facility. The AutoXpress™ System (AXP), developed by ThermoGenesis Corp. and distributed by GE Healthcare, is a state-of-the-art, fully closed and sterile system that will provide automated cell separation and processing for cord blood samples, ensuring quality and consistency in cord blood processing while maximizing the yield of valuable stem cells from the cord blood. "Families entrust us with a precious gift for safekeeping," said John Rizza, President of the New England Cryogenics Center, Inc., the parent company of NECBB. "We are pleased to be able to offer our clients the added level of confidence and security that this advanced technology provides." AXP is fast, precise, and - according to data provided by New York Blood Center - can harvest greater than 97% of the mononucleated cell (MNC) population, which is rich in stem cells, without the use of additives. By automating the process, AXP minimizes the risk of contamination and ensures predictable and reliable results. Further, the system captures essential data for quality assurance and compliance with current good tissue practices. NECBB will begin processing samples with AXP in August. In addition to the automation, NECBB will continue to operate their manual system, which will allow for processing of samples too small for the automated system. NECBB currently accepts and processes private cord blood samples from parents looking to preserve stem cells from their newborn"s cord blood, which are then available for the family to use at any time. Implementation of the automated system also brings NECBB one step closer to accreditation as a public cord blood bank. "We are excited at the possibilities afforded us by installing the AXP system," added Rizza. "It is our goal to ensure that we provide families with all possible options, and with the information they need to make the choice that fits best for them." Cord blood banking, both simple and secure, is a life-giving opportunity that happens at the time of birth. It offers a powerful medical re in fighting both chronic and acute diseases that may develop within the child or a family member. Currently, cord blood is used to treat over 80 diseases including sickle cell anemia, leukemia and various cancers. New England Cord Blood Bank


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