10 Jan 2012

Pioneer® Surgical Announces First Human Use of nanOss® Bioactive 3D

By Nicole Young

Pioneer Surgical Technology, Inc of Raleigh, NC and Marquette, MI today announces the first clinical use of nanOss Bioactive 3D, a three-dimensionally shaped addition to its flagship biologic bone graft product line, nanOss Bioactive.  The new nanOss Bioactive 3D bone graft utilizes proprietary nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite as well as a collagen-based biopolymer to promote bone growth in the posterolateral spine.

Regarding Pioneer's latest product introduction, Mr. Shane Ray, General Manager - Biologics for Pioneer stated, "We are extremely excited to start the clinical phase of nanOss Bioactive 3D. Three-dimensional shapes are popular in spine surgery and with this addition, we now have one of the most extensive biologic portfolios on the market."

Pioneer Surgical Biologics now offers a full line of synthetic bone grafts as well as human tissue products including machined lateral, traditional lumbar and cervical allograft, human demineralized bone matrix (DBM) bone grafts, as well as bone graft delivery accessories. For more information regarding Pioneer's Biologics Product offerings, including nanOss Bioactive 3D, please visit the Pioneer Surgical website at www.pioneersurgical.com.

About Pioneer Surgical Technology, Inc.
Pioneer Surgical Technology, Inc. is a dynamic medical device firm founded in 1992. Pioneer's focus on innovation has resulted in over 120 U.S. and foreign patents, with numerous patents pending. The company has a comprehensive portfolio of orthopedic, spine and biologic systems. Pioneer entered the orthobiologics market with two acquisitions in 2007. Our Orthopedic, Spine, and Biologics divisions produce state of the art, cost-effective solutions for surgical procedures that have proven difficult or problematic for both surgeons and patients. For more information on Pioneer and its products, visit www.pioneersurgical.com.

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04 Jan 2012

Help Make a Difference during National Blood Donor Month

By Karen Stecher

January is National Blood Donor Month and above all other times of the year, it is the month that presents the most challenges for blood collection. Changing weather, busy holiday schedules, increased cold and flu symptoms and even the winter blues can keep the most dedicated blood donors from making or keeping an appointment to give.

This January is no exception with the local Red Cross in need of blood donations. First-time and regular donors are encouraged to make a difference in their communities by scheduling an appointment to give blood every January, and regularly thereafter. Remember, just one pint of blood can help save multiple lives.

How to Donate Blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross

Governed by volunteers and supported by giving individuals and communities, the American Red Cross is the single largest supplier of blood products to hospitals throughout the United States. While local hospital needs are always met first, the Red Cross also helps ensure no patient goes without blood no matter where or when they need it. In addition to providing nearly half of the nation's blood supply, the Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts.

 

Blood Donation Opportunities

CLINTON COUNTY

1/23/2012, 2:30 pm- 6:30 pm, Northeast Elementary School, 1450 370th Avenue, Goose Lake

1/26/2012, 1:00 pm- 6:00 pm, United Methodist Church, 621 South 3rd Street, Clinton

 

HENRY COUNTY

1/17/2012, 1:00 pm- 6:00 pm, First United Methodist Church, 214 N. W. Second Ave, Galva

1/25/2012, 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm, First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St., Kewanee

 

MERCER COUNTY

1/17/2012, 12:00 pm- 6:00 pm, VFW Hall, 106 SW 3rd Ave., Aledo

1/24/2012, 10:00 am- 2:00 pm, Mercer County Hospital, 409 North West 9th Avenue, Aledo

 

WHITESIDE COUNTY

1/17/2012, 1:00 pm- 5:15 pm, Old Fulton Fire Station, 912 4th Street, Fulton

1/17/2012, 12:00 pm- 6:00 pm, United Methodist Church, 200 West Lincolnway, Morrison

1/18/2012, 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

1/24/2012, 1:00 pm- 5:15 pm, Old Fulton Fire Station, 912 4th Street, Fulton

1/25/2012, 10:00 am- 2:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

1/27/2012, 10:00 am- 2:00 pm, Halo Branded Solutions, 1980 Industrial Drive, Sterling

1/28/2012, 6:00 am-12:00 pm, CGH Main Clinic, 101 E. Miller Road, Sterling

1/28/2012, 7:00 am-11:00 am, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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27 Dec 2011

Shake into Shape after the Holidays

By The Moline Club
Shake into shape after the holidays with Ashley from New York! Beginner veils and bellydance for all ages. Great for toning away the holiday fat!  $15.00  Tuesday, December 27th from 6:30pm until 7:45pm at the Moline Club, 513 - 16th St, Moline IL 61265.  Just west of the I-74 bridge.
27 Dec 2011

Q&A on Payments from Drug Companies and Medical Device Makers

By Grassley Press

with U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

 

Q:        When will the public have access to information about payments made by drug and device makers to doctors?

A:        The public is a step closer to learning just how much money and travel expenses pharmaceutical company and medical device makers give to doctors.  This month, a federal agency finally put out proposed guidance for the companies that will have to disclose the payments under the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, which I co-authored and saw through to enactment last year.  If implemented as designed, the sunshine law will require a drug company to disclose whether it pays a doctor to attend a conference in Hawaii.  A medical device maker will have to list whether it keeps a doctor on paid retainer for medical advice.  Fees paid for consulting, speeches and expert advice will be reported.  In 2013, the public will have access to this information through a user friendly website of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  This fall, the federal agency responsible for launching the program missed a key deadline for putting out the Sunshine Act guidance.  Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin and I pressed the agency to explain the delay and encouraged it to move forward.  The day before an agency witness was supposed to testify on the issue at a Senate hearing, the agency issued the guidance.  So riding herd worked.

 

Q:        Why did you push for a disclosure requirement?

A:        For a number of years, I've been digging into pharmaceutical and medical device industry payments to continuing medical education, taxpayer-funded medical research, medical schools, medical journals, and advocacy organizations.  Among research doctors, my oversight work found a number of cases where highly influential research doctors were receiving payments vastly greater than what had been reported by them or understood by their prestigious universities.  Discrepancies ran as high as millions and tens of millions of dollars.  In direct response to this exposure, the National Institutes of Health, which distributes $32 billion a year in federal research dollars, proposed new disclosure guidelines for federal grant recipients.  I'm still working to see this agency act more aggressively in this area as a steward of tax dollars.  Separately, a number of drug companies began disclosing financial relationships voluntarily.  More than 40 universities nationwide took up revisions of their disclosure policies.  My oversight work also built the case for enactment last year of the reform bill - the Sunshine Act -- that Senator Kohl and I had been promoting since 2007.

 

Q:        What do you hope to accomplish?

A:        The well-regarded Institute of Medicine issued a report in 2009 endorsing transparency and stating that protections against conflicts can be established without inhibiting productive relationships between medicine and industry to improve medical knowledge and care.  My argument has been that the transparency of these financial relationships is appropriate so that patients and their doctors can be informed and because taxpayers pay billions of dollars each year for prescription drugs and medical devices under Medicare and Medicaid.  The goal is to let the sun shine in and make information available to foster accountability.

 

Friday, December 23, 2011
23 Dec 2011

Surviving Holiday Gatherings

By Ginny Grimsley

For those of us from families built on Debbie Downer DNA, there's only one direction a mood can go during holiday get-togethers and that's down.

Sure, the running negative commentary, bubble-bursting barbs and rampant self-pity were funny coming from comedian Rachel Dratch on "Saturday Night Live's" Debbie Downer sketches. But few of us can foresee our own Negative Nancys giving us a good belly laugh.

Whether you're the smiley face among frowners, or a bit of a Depressing Dan yourself, there are tricks you can use to keep the table talk from getting lethal, says Paula Renaye, a professional life coach and author of The Hardline Self Help Handbook, (www.hardlineselfhelp.com).

"You can take control simply by thinking about what you choose to say - or not say," Renaye says. "If you hear yourself criticizing, judging or complaining, you're part of the problem. Happy, self-respecting people don't find it necessary to dump on others to make themselves feel good.

"If someone else is the problem, simply don't give them the ammunition they need," she says. Instead try these tactics:

• Do not say anything negative. Period. And no one-downing! One-downing is the opposite of one-upping. It's the art of coming up with something worse when someone else talks about their problem. No matter what negative thing anyone says, or how much you agree with it or don't, resist the urge to respond with a negative. Instead ....

• Dodge, distract and detour. Turn things around with a question -- a positive one. If you need to, make a "happy list" of questions before you go, so you'll have some at the ready. And remember, there's no law that says you have to answer a question just because someone asked it. With negative people, it's best if you ...

• Do not talk about yourself. The only reason negative people care about what you're up to is because they want something to ridicule, brag or gossip about to make themselves look or feel good. Don't go there. Whether you just filed bankruptcy or won a Nobel Prize, keep it to yourself. No good can come of it. None. And why do you need to chatter like a chipmunk about yourself anyway? Might want to think on that one, too. Better to find some praise for someone else than to expect someone to praise you.

• Do not share your woes. Even if you're in a tough place and could really use a shoulder to cry on, don't start laying your woes on a Negative Nell. Even in a weak moment, when you've had a terrible day, talking about it with a negative person is a bad idea. You might get a microsecond of sympathy, but that's only so they can launch into telling you how much worse they have it. So, no talking about yourself unless you want to be the talk of the party, the family and the town.

• Do your homework and become like Teflon. Think of the times people said things that made you feel bad or made you feel the need to defend or explain yourself. If you want to avoid going down that trail again, start hacking away at the jungle of your own emotions. Get over needing anyone's approval or blessing. If you are still waiting for negative relatives to validate you, you're in for a long wait. Don't set yourself up to be miserable. Get over it and go prepared.

About Paula Renaye

Former eggshell-walker, emotionally-bankrupt wreck and utter failure at keeping her world from falling apart, Paula Renaye uses her journey out of despair into joy as a breadcrumb trail for others.  She has been a consultant for 18 years, holds a degree in financial planning with a background in journalism and psychology, and is a member of the International Association of Coaches.  Paula is the multi-award-winning author of The Hardline Self Help Handbook.
23 Dec 2011

Statement From Governor Quinn on Settlement to Benefit Elders and Illinoisans With Disabilities

By Andrew Mason

CHICAGO - December 20, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today released the following statement regarding the settlement of the last of the Olmstead class action lawsuits.

"I have made community care a priority of my administration, and our long-term goal is to rebalance Illinois' approach towards older adults and persons with disabilities by expanding choices for those who want to live in the community.

"An important step in this process was settling the three Olmstead class action lawsuits, which had been pending for many years. I committed to resolving these lawsuits when I took office, and today's decree allows Illinois to move forward and increase opportunities and independence for our state's elders and residents with disabilities.

"With these settlements and our other rebalancing initiatives underway, Illinois is well on its way to assuring older adults and people with disabilities care and treatment in the most community-integrated settings appropriate for their conditions. We are moving in the right direction on community and home-based care, and I look forward to continuing this effort."

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23 Dec 2011

Need to Lose Weight? Skip Calorie Counting & Burn Fat Instead

By Ginny Grimsley
Weight Loss Expert Offers Slimming Tips to Last a Lifetime

Losing weight has become a matter of life or death and counting calories, Weight Watcher points and fat grams hasn't lessened the numbers of people affected. In 2010, more than 25 percent of Americans had pre-diabetes and another 1.9 million got a diabetes diagnosis, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The single most effective way for people to avoid the disease? Losing weight.

"The current obesity epidemic proves that the typical low-fat diet recommendations and low-calorie diets have not worked," says Don Ochs, inventor of Mobanu Integrated Weight Loss Solution (www.Mobanu.com), a physician-recommended system that tailors diet and exercise to an individual's fat-burning chemistry. "America is eating less fat per capita than we did 30 years ago, yet obesity, diabetes and heart disease are all up."

To drop the weight and keep it off, people need to get rid of their stored fat by eating fewer processed carbohydrates and the correct amount of protein, and by doing both high and low- intensity exercises, Ochs says.

Here are some of his suggestions for getting started:

  • Eat what your ancestors ate - if it wasn't available 10,000 years ago, you don't need it now. Our bodies haven't had time to adapt to the huge increase in processed carbohydrates over the past 100 years. These refined carbs kick up our blood sugar levels, which triggers insulin production, which results in fat storage. Avoid the regular no-no's such as candy and soft drinks, but also stay away from sneaky, sugary condiments like ketchup; dried fruits, which have more concentrated sugar than their hydrated counterparts, and anything with high fructose corn syrup.

  • Eat the right kind of fat - it's good for you! Bad fats include trans fats and partially hydrogenated oils. Look for these on labels. Trim excess fat from meats and stick with mono- and poly-unsaturated fats. Use olive oil for cooking, as salad dressing or on vegetables. Eat avocados, whole olives, nuts and seeds, and don't be afraid to jazz up meals with a little butter or cheese.

  • Eat the proper amount of lean protein to maintain muscle mass and increase your metabolism. Eggs, beef, chicken, pork, seafood and dairy in the right amounts are good protein sources. Remember, most of these contain fat, so it shouldn't be necessary to add more. Use the minimum amount needed to satisfy your taste buds. Also, anyone trying to lose weight should limit non-animal proteins, such as legumes, because they contribute to higher blood sugar levels and increased fat storage.

  • Vary your workouts to speed up fat loss. Both high-intensity and low-intensity exercises play a role in maximum fat loss. Low-intensity exercise, like walking, is effective for reducing insulin resistance so you store less fat. Alternate walking with high-intensity interval training to build lean muscle mass and increase your metabolism. Interval training can be cardio blasts such as running up stairs on some days and lifting weights on others. This type of exercise forces your body to burn up its glycogen - a readily accessible fuel for your muscles - faster than an equivalent amount of cardio exercise. When you're done, your body will replenish that fuel by converting stored fat back into glycogen and you'll lose weight.

"Healthy weight loss isn't about picking a popular diet and trying to stick to it," Ochs says. "It's about discovering the right diet for your unique body. For each person, the optimal amount of carbohydrates, proteins and exercise to burn the most stored body fat will be different. And that's why one-size-fits-all diets just don't work."

About Donald Ochs

Donald Ochs is a Colorado entrepreneur, the president and CEO of Ochs Development Co. and M4 Group, an inventor and sports enthusiast. He developed the Mobanu weight loss system based on research conducted at The Mayo Clinic and the National Institutes of Health. The program is endorsed by physicians, nutritionists and exercise experts.

20 Dec 2011

Upcoming American Red Cross blood drives January 1 - 15

By Marvin Whittaker

Red Cross Celebrates National Blood Donor Month

The need is constant:    Every day in our country, approximately 44,000 units of blood are required in hospitals and emergency treatment facilities for patients with cancer and other diseases, for organ transplant recipients, and to help save the lives of accident victims.


January is National Blood Donor Month and the American Red Cross thanks its committed blood donors for dedicating their time to give hope to patients in need. Throughout the month of January, the American Red Cross is celebrating the contributions of millions of blood donors who give patients hope.

 

Since 1970, National Blood Donor Month has been celebrated in an effort to educate Americans about the importance of regular blood donation and the impact it can have on patients in need. Help maintain a stable blood supply by becoming a dedicated donor and encouraging others to give for the first time. Make an appointment today and join the nearly 4 million Red Cross blood donors across the country dedicated to changing lives, one donation at a time.

How to Donate Blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross

Governed by volunteers and supported by giving individuals and communities, the American Red Cross is the single largest supplier of blood products to hospitals throughout the United States. While local hospital needs are always met first, the Red Cross also helps ensure no patient goes without blood no matter where or when they need it. In addition to providing nearly half of the nation's blood supply, the Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts.

 

Blood Donation Opportunities

 

CARROLL COUNTY

1/13/2012, 8:30 am- 2:30 pm, Milledgeville High School, PO Box 609 Hwy 40, Milledgeville

 

CLINTON COUNTY

1/8/2012, 8:00 am-12:00 pm, National Guard, 1200 13th Avenue North, Clinton

 

HENRY COUNTY

1/5/2012, 12:00 pm- 6:00 pm, First United Methodist Church S Campus Bldg, 224 N. State, Geneseo

 

1/7/2012, 10:00 am- 1:00 pm, YMCA, 315 West 1st St., Kewanee

 

1/10/2012, 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm, St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1001 9th Street, Orion

 

1/11/2012, 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm, First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St., Kewanee

 

1/12/2012, 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm, St John's Vianney Church, 313 S West Street, Cambridge

 

ROCK ISLAND COUNTY

1/12/2012, 9:00 am- 2:00 pm, Quad City International Airport, 2200 69th Ave., Moline

 

SCOTT COUNTY

1/6/2012, 3:00 pm- 7:00 pm, Anytime Fitness, 5260 NW Boulevard, Davenport

 

WHITESIDE COUNTY

1/3/2012, 8:00 am-11:00 am, Old Fulton Fire Station, 912 4th Street, Fulton

 

1/4/2012, 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

 

1/10/2012, 1:00 pm- 5:15 pm, Old Fulton Fire Station, 912 4th Street, Fulton

 

1/11/2012, 10:00 am- 2:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

 

1/12/2012, 3:00 pm- 8:00 pm, Tampico Fire Department, 103 North Main Street, Tampico

 

 

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19 Dec 2011

Synthetic drug ban bill is necessary

By Grassley Press
Thursday, December 15, 2011

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa is the author of legislation pending before the Senate to ban the chemicals used to make the dangerous drug known as "K2" or "Spice." As Judiciary Committee Ranking Member, Grassley advanced the legislation, named for a young Iowa man who took his own life after using the drug.  A fellow senator is objecting to Senate consideration of the legislation.  Grassley made the following comment on the legislation.

"A new survey out this week showed one in nine high school seniors reported using synthetic drugs last year.  That's terrible news.  These drugs are toxic and dangerous.  They caused a young Iowan to take his life.  Other deaths around the country are directly linked to synthetic drugs.  Their availability at the local mall or online does not make them safe.  Just because you can buy something in a shiny package with a cute name does not mean safety is assured.  Cynical manufacturers and sellers peddle these products either not knowing or not caring about their content or effects.

"The federal Drug Enforcement Administration has banned some of the chemicals used to make these drugs, but the ban is limited and temporary.  Congress needs to act to impose a permanent ban.  State bans aren't enough.  What's passed in one state might be different than what's passed in another state, so kids can go across the river to another state to find the drugs.  Many of the chemicals in these drugs are imported, especially from China.  States are very limited in capturing the drugs at U.S. ports of entry.

"One argument against a federal ban is that manufacturers constantly come up with new compounds to skirt the ban.  My colleagues and I have worked with the Justice Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration to broaden the language to capture more than 400 compounds that could possibly be created from the ones currently identified.  Although more compounds could be created in the future, the Controlled Substances Act allows for the prosecution of analogs to federally banned drugs, which can help land more prosecutions. The bill also increases the length of time the Drug Enforcement Administration has to temporarily ban any forthcoming dangerous drugs, including synthetics. This will be an effective tool against future compounds.

"Parents want this legislation.  Law enforcement wants this legislation.  Poison control centers want this legislation.  There's no compelling reason against it and every reason for it."

More information on Grassley's legislation is available here.

-30-
19 Dec 2011

How to get through the holidays while grieving, from the Harvard Mental Health Letter

By Raquel Schott

BOSTON– Each year, more than two million men, women, and children die in the United States, leaving behind loved ones who mourn them. The holidays are often the most difficult time of the year for people who are grieving.

"If the grief is fresh, holiday cheer can seem like an affront and celebrations may underscore how alone people feel," notes Dr. Michael Miller, editor in chief of the Harvard Mental Health Letter. The following strategies, explored in depth in the December 2011 issue, may help people who are grieving to cope with the holidays.

Start a new tradition. During a holiday dinner, place a lighted candle on the dinner table, leave an empty chair, or say a few words of remembrance.

Change the celebration. Go out to dinner instead of planning an elaborate meal at home. Or schedule a trip with friends.

Express your needs. People who are grieving may find it hard to participate in all the festivities or may need to let go of unsatisfying traditions. It's all right to tell people you're just not up to it right now or to change plans at the last minute.

Help someone else. It may also help to volunteer through a charitable or religious organization. Make a donation to a favorite cause in memory of the person who died.

Give yourself time. The grieving process doesn't neatly conclude at the six-month or one-year mark. Depending on the strength of the bond that was broken, grief can be life-long. Nevertheless, grief does usually soften and change over time. With time, the holidays will become easier to handle.

Read the full-length article: "Handling holidays and difficult times"

Also in this issue:

  • The normal process of grieving
  • Beyond the five stages of grief
  • How people can help themselves while grieving
  • Coping with complicated grief
  • How long does grief last?

The Harvard Mental Health Letter is available from Harvard Health Publications, the publishing division of Harvard Medical School, for $59 per year. Subscribe at www.health.harvard.edu/mental or by calling 877-649-9457 (toll-free).

XXX

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