HIV Cure Research Workshop Clinical Report

Following the last "International Workshop on HIV Persistence, Reservoirs and Eradication Strategies", scientists are now working into translating the recent basic discoveries into clinical trials for patients.

Toulon, France, January 04, 2012 -- Although a number of promising approaches have led to testable hypotheses for an HIV cure, for which small animal and primate models may provide preliminary information, ultimately proof of concept and validation studies in human subjects will be required. These trials will need to balance the risks of significant toxicity, morbidity and mortality of novel strategies against the possible benefit to individual patients and knowledge gained overall. However, it is challenging to define an acceptable level of risk in the context of generally safe and effective life-long therapy. Would a small risk of fatal complication be acceptable? Would a modest risk of mortality, like 1-2% for coronary artery bypass grafting, be acceptable if a cure is on the horizon, or even more? The answers will probably depend of the therapies tested and their goal: functional (for how long) or sterilizing cure?

There are already innovative strategies ready to be tested in the clinic but most researchers think that only a combination of these therapies could lead to an HIV cure. Combining, or sequencing, these approaches also means increasing the risks. On the other side, do we have to test them one after the other, as we did with antiretroviral drugs, before moving to combinations? These are difficult questions to answer, as it is evident that the first patients included in a single approach will get limited benefit from it, if any. This situation is particularly true for the first anti-latency agents tested. They will probably lack the potency to purge all HIV reservoirs, and it is not known if a remaining few infected cells would not be enough to reignite a whole infection.

All these questions were discussed in-depth at the last “International Workshop on HIV Persistence, Reservoirs and Eradication Strategies” held in December 2011. Participants coming from the lab, from the clinic, from agencies, and from pharmaceutical companies were all tied by their commitment toward an HIV cure. A detailed analysis of what they defined as their main priorities is currently underwriting and will be published soon.

Meanwhile, focused reports are available on the workshop website.

Media Contact:
Alain Lafeuillade
AVPS
1208 Avenue Colonel Picot
83056 Toulon, Var, France
Tel: 33-4-94616340
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BusinessVibes - Alternative Solutions for Intranet

BusinessVibes has come up with an idea of website that gives companies all the features available in the Intranet and much more.

London, UK, January 04, 2012 -- Big and well developed companies more and more often nowadays invest in internal networks called Intranet, which allows its employees to search for information about the companies, share files and exchange some data. This tool improves everyday work and significantly fastens the flow of information within the company. Unfortunately not every company can afford creating its own Intranet. Some of them are simply too small and creating Intranet for them is pointless.

BusinessVibes (http://www.businessvibes.com), new global platform connecting companies and associations all over the world has come up with an idea of website that gives companies all the features available in the Intranet and much more. First of all, platform allows creating one company profile with multiple user accounts. It simply means that more than one user can claim the profile of one company and use information available there. Administrator of the profile decides which information should be visible for others and which one should be added additionally. As one of the option, administrator can add detailed information about events organised by the company or updates concerning its activity. In case of necessity to share documents, website allows companies to upload files to their profiles and share it freely with others.

BusinessVibes provides as well possibility to send messages, create virtual business cards and receive comments and testimonials about company itself and events organized by them. Platform is great alternative for Intranet, but has as well a lot of other features, which companies can freely use. BusinessVibes’ main goal is to help companies and associations to search for clients, buyers, suppliers and business partners. A wide range of tools, from internal search engine, through industry directories to creating network is available to help all members develop their business activity.

Contact:
Marta Munia
Marketing Executive - Europe
Infiniti Research Limited
8 Wimpole Street
London W1G 9SP
Tel: +44 20 7291 0883
Follow us on Twitter: @businessvibes
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IAPAM's hCG Training for Physicians January 27, 2012

In February and June of 2011, Dr. Oz’s comments ignited unprecedented positive interest in hCG for weight loss. To meet this patient demand, the IAPAM is helping physicians enter this lucrative market for 2012, by offering their physician-led hCG Training in Scottsdale, Arizona on January 27, 2012. Physicians will learn and receive everything they need to start safely and profitably offering hCG for weight loss to their patients this New Year.

Las Vegas, NV, January 04, 2012 -- The IAPAM (http://www.iapam.com) has trained over 600 physicians on how to effectively offer hCG (human Chorionic Gonadotropin) for weight loss to their patients. To date, well over 15,000 patients have successfully lost weight on hCG using the IAPAM’s Exclusive hCG Diet (http://www.hcgtraining.com), based on Dr. Simeons manuscript, Pounds and Inches (http://www.iapam.com/dr-simeons-pounds-and-inches-manuscript.html).

Join the IAPAM for the first hCG Training session of 2012, on January 27, 2012, in Scottsdale, Arizona, and prepare to offer hCG for Weight Loss to the flood of patients with a New Year’s Resolution to lose weight.

This respected program is taught by true hCG experts, who operate hCG weight loss clinics, and who have completed the hCG Protocol themselves. This allows physicians and their staff to learn from the IAPAM faculty’s vast experience.

The IAPAM’s hCG Training includes:

- Detailed IAPAM hCG Program Protocols
- Patient selection criteria
- Common medical hCG contraindications
- Consent forms, medical history forms
- Patient hCG Program Guidebook to offer patients (hCG friendly recipes, food journal, tips)
- Patient PowerPoint presentations for the waiting room
- Phone scripts & call logs for your staff
- Legal/Insurance considerations, and current FDA status
- hCG ordering information and special pharmaceutical hCG pricing
- Special hCG Facebook discussion forum
- VLCD/LCD diet programs
- Meal replacement diet programs
- Ketogenic based diet programs
- Utilizing B6/B12 injections in weight loss
- Using prescription appetite suppressants in weight loss
- Metabolism testing as a profit center
- Laser assisted lipolysis
- Listing of your hCG Clinic in the IAPAM’s NEW hCG Diet Clinic Directory (http://www.iapam.com/aesthetic-resources/hcg-diet-clinics)

Finally, the IAPAM’s hCG Training is the only Physician hCG Training program in North America approved for a special medical malpractice rate for those who have attended and have been certified by the IAPAM. This medical malpractice coverage is not offered to any other hCG training program.

Jeff Russell, Executive Director of the IAPAM, and a member of the expert faculty of instructors at the IAPAM’s hCG Training, notes that, “as hCG for weight loss is being requested by more and more patients, we are seeing a correlating increase in physician attendance at the IAPAM’s hCG training.” Mr. Russell also emphasizes that, “through the comprehensive education, and the year of practice support offered by the IAPAM, physicians can appreciate the effects of medications, the implications of plateauing, the importance of vitamin supplements, engage in ongoing dialogue with each other and hCG experts, and understand all the other nuances of the IAPAM protocol that result in patient satisfaction and enduring weight loss.”

For additional information or to register for the January 27, 2012 hCG Training Seminar, please contact the IAPAM, at 1-800-219-5108 ext. 708, email info@theiapam.com or visit http://www.hcgtraining.com.

About the IAPAM: The International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine

The International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine is a voluntary global association of physicians and supporters, which sets standards for the aesthetic medical profession worldwide. The goal of the association is to offer education, ethical standards, credentialing, and member benefits to members around the globe. IAPAM membership is open to all licensed medical doctors (MDs), doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs), physicians assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs). The IAPAM offers aesthetic medicine and hCG medical weight management programs, including: botox training, medical aesthetic training, laser training, physician hCG training, and aesthetic practice business training. Additional information about the association can be accessed through the IAPAM’s website (http://www.iapam.com) or by contacting:

Jeff Russell, Executive-Director
International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine (IAPAM)
1-800-219-5108 ext. 708
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FPL's four steps for getting your home "energy fit" in the New Year

It's no secret that this is the time of year for New Year's resolutions, and Florida Power & Light (FPL) wants you to add one more resolution to your list that can you help you save energy and money: Make your home "energy fit".

Juno Beach, FL, January 04, 2012 -- It’s no secret that this is the time of year for New Year’s resolutions, and Florida Power & Light (FPL) wants you to add one more resolution to your list that can you help you save energy and money: Make your home "energy fit".

FPL’s energy efficiency blogger, Danielle Mousseau, recommends getting your home “energy fit” by following her four-step plan. “Like any good fitness plan, you have to understand the basics,” she says. “Evaluate where you are, make a plan based on where you want to go, set realistic goals and measure against them.”

She offers four steps to getting your home “energy fit” this year.

Step 1: Before you can get your home “energy fit,” find out what kind of shape it’s in by completing the new Online Home Energy Survey at http://www.FPL.com/newohes. Whether your home is a power pro that only needs routine energy efficiency maintenance, or an energy novice that needs a boot camp-like regimen, there are always things you can do to make improvements. The Online Home Energy Survey has new features such as a new user-friendly design and a more printer-friendly personalized energy-savings plan.

Step 2: Review and print your personalized energy-savings plan. Take note of recommendations that you can implement right away at little or no cost, such as adjusting habits or appliance settings. If there are recommendations for making energy efficiency upgrades to your home equipment like your ducts or A/C, highlight the FPL program that can offer you an incentive or rebate for doing so.

Step 3: Set goals based on your plan’s recommendations. Since goals are very personal, yours may vary based on how much effort, time and money you want to invest. If you only want to implement low-cost, or no-cost measures like adjusting habits or switching to compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs), your goal will be very different than if you decide to upgrade your refrigerator to an Energy Star® model or replace your air conditioner at a higher seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER).

Step 4: Set a timeline for your goals and measure against them. You will need to determine your timeframe for measuring savings. You may want to save past bills or log in to FPL.com to compare this year’s costs to last year’s costs if you are making substantial energy upgrades to your home appliances or equipment like an air conditioner. If you are making small adjustments to your everyday habits, you may prefer to measure month-over-month for a one-year period.

FPL customers already have the lowest electric bills in the state, and getting your home “energy fit” is a way to make that bill even lower. To find out what kind of energy efficiency shape your home’s in, take the new Online Home Energy Survey today at http://www.FPL.com/newohes.

Media Contact:
FPL Media Line
Florida Power & Light Company
700 Universe Blvd.
Juno Beach, FL 33408
305-552-3888
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IAPAM Reports on Top Aesthetic Medicine Trends for 2012

The International Association For Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine (IAPAM) has surveyed its membership, its medical faculty, and has consulted with numerous experts in aesthetic medicine, to develop a forecast for the top aesthetic medicine treatments or trends physicians can expect to see in 2012. Ultimately, physicians with successful aesthetic practices in 2012, will need to offer “combination” treatment packages, integrating: botox and other facial injectables, medical skin care, IPL/laser rejuvenation and non-invasive body contouring.

Las Vegas, NV, January 04, 2012 – The IAPAM (http://www.iapam.com) sees the market for minimally-invasive procedures continuing to grow in 2012. Dr. Tom D. Wang, President of the AAFPRS agrees that “consumer interest in aesthetic procedures and treatment has continued in strong fashion. However, some effects from the recent recession still linger. Some patients [are] choosing to have less invasive injectable treatments or non-surgical procedures in an effort to defer facial surgery for the time being.” To capture this knowledgeable patient population, physicians must be expertly trained (IAPAM’s physician-lead botox training at http://www.aestheticmedicinesymposium.com) and need to offer the latest aesthetic medicine procedures, utilizing the most current technologies and must package synergistic treatments for the most effective, yet cost effective results.

1. Combining Non-Invasive Procedures Gives the Best Results

Dr. Gregory Buford, notes that, “as we head into 2012, consumers are becoming more savvy about which tips and tricks from their practitioners really work and which do not.” Drs. Tess Mauricio and Buford see “more application and research on combination treatments. More aesthetic providers are abandoning mono-therapy and combining medical skin care, facial injectables, and laser conditioning and offering these synergistic packages to their clients. This “Holy Triad” of facial rejuvenation can be extremely effective in addressing age-related changes on multiple levels and produce results far more dramatic than previously seen.”

The IAPAM agrees that successful aesthetic practices are those that offer patients a combination of minimally invasive procedures. Just offering Botox ® alone is not enough to provide a physician with a successful, and more importantly, a profitable aesthetic practice. “The key is combining neurotoxins like Botox ®, Dysport ® or Xeomin ® with other complementary skin rejuvenation procedures,” says Jeff Russell, IAPAM Executive Director.

2. New Cosmetic Injectables will Offer Choice to Consumers

New neurotoxins, specifically Xeomin ®, will capture increasing segments of the injectables market in 2012. Dermatologist, Dr. Bruce Katz, comments that, “Xeomin ®, the latest neurotoxin [will] rival Botox ®” in 2012. Dr. Francesca Fuso mentions, “there are new neurotoxins that are still undergoing clinical trials. They will have the same effect as Botox ®, but instead of being injected, they can be applied topically. If these new products are approved in 2012, they will provide patients with yet another option in a year of options.” Finally, new fillers, such as Belotero ® and LaViv ® will offer increased choice to both physicians and patients in the dermal filler arena. Dr. Mitchel Goldman MD, recognizes that, “the approval of LaViv ® the first autologous fibroblast filler and Belotero ® along with the FDA approval of Lip Augmentation with Restylane ® will enhance the use of fillers in 2012 and provide additional products to enhance patient care.”

3. Expanded Uses for Neurotoxins

Dr. Houtan Chaboki, offers an interesting insight into alternative uses for Botox ® and other neurotoxins. One trend [that he is seeing] is the use of neuromodulators (Botox & Dysport) to reshape the face, instead of wrinkles. From microbotox to migraines to multiple sclerosis, the uses and markets for neurotoxins will continue to expand in 2012.

4. Higher Demand for Non-Invasive Body Contouring Treatments

Non-invasive devices like the Zerona ® and VelaSmooth ® will continue reshaping the body, with new entrants expected in 2012. Dr. Mitchel Goldman MD adds, “the advancement of lasers and energy devices such as Ulthera’s focused ultrasound, Bela Countour ® and Exilis radiofrequency and Lutronic’s advanced Nd:YAG laser will enhance treatment of skin laxity and pigmented lesions.”

5. Turning Back the Hands of Time

Dr. Fusco also envisions that, “in 2012 lots of people will be having work done on their hands.” Turning back ‘the hands of time’ of the hands typically requires a combination of dermal fillers as well as IPL/laser rejuvenation to help eliminate age/sun spots.

6. Lasers are For More than Hair Removal

Dr. Bruce Katz predicts “a higher demand for laser treatments in 2012. Some of the newer laser treatments offer truly compelling results without invasive surgery, significant pain and substantial downtime.” IPL (Intense Pulse Light) and lasers can accomplish a full range of anti-aging treatments including: skin tightening, vein removal, removal of age and sun spots, skin resurfacing, as well as treating acne scars and rosacea.

Conclusion

The market for anti-aging treatments will continue to grow in 2012. With new technologies, as well as new ways to bundle and market existing procedures, the trend toward more minimally invasive procedures does not appear to be going away any time soon. Jeff Russell, Executive Director of the IAPAM concludes that, “as we have seen with our past annual trends predictions, the key is to create an anti-aging program for each patients needs. Patients just do not come in for Botox ®; they want a combination anti-aging treatments which often includes neurotoxins, dermal fillers and skin rejuvenation with chemical peels, microdermabrasion and skin care.”

Since 2005, the IAPAM has been a leader in providing aesthetic medicine industry trends. For a complete copy of the IAPAM’s Top Aesthetic Medicine Trends for 2012, go to http://www.aestheticmedicinenews.com/iapam-reports-on-the-top-aesthetic-medicine-trends-for-2012.htm.

To REGISTER for an upcoming Aesthetic Medicine Symposium or Physician hCG Training Seminar, please visit http://www.aestheticmedicinesymposium.com or http://www.hcgtraining.com or contact the IAPAM at 1-800-219-5108 ext. 704, or by email at info@theiapam.com.

About the IAPAM: The International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine

The International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine is a voluntary association of physicians and supporters, which sets standards for the aesthetic medical profession. The goal of the association is to offer education, ethical standards, credentialing, and member benefits. IAPAM membership is open to all licensed medical doctors (MDs), dentists (DDSs/DMDs) doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs), physicians assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs). The IAPAM offers aesthetic medicine and hCG medical weight management programs, including: Botox ® training, medical aesthetic training, laser training, physician hCG training, and aesthetic practice business training. Additional information about the association can be accessed through the IAPAM’s website (http://www.iapam.com) or by contacting:

Jeff Russell, Executive-Director
International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine (IAPAM)
1-800-219-5108 x704
Twitter: @IAPAM
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Designing Clinical Trials in HIV Cure Research

Now that several potential ways have been defined to eventually reach an HIV functional cure, clinicians have to design the first clinical trials able to test these hypotheses, with a balance between audacity and safety.

Toulon, France, January 02, 2012 -- Despite more than 15 years of successes with antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV remains present in hiding places called the HIV reservoirs”, which are basically cells where the virus is inactively integrated into host chromosomes.

This explain why each time ART is stopped, the infection starts again, impairing more the immune system.

Furthermore, long-term ART goes with problems of compliance, toxicity, resistance, cost and access, making life-long ART for the 34 million infected patients currently on earth an illusion.

It is therefore mandatory to investigate new ways of treating HIV to get some drug-free time. This, also called “functional HIV cure” is a situation where HIV could remain non-replicative for months without continuing ART.

At the last “International Workshop on HIV Persistence, Reservoirs and Eradication Strategies” held in December 2011, the 215 participating scientists have defined 3 new directions to be evaluated for a functional HIV cure:

- Purging the HIV reservoir by drugs like HDAC inhibitors, Interleukin-15, Bryostatin;
- Interfering with negative immune regulatory pathways by anti-PD1 antibodies;
- Making cells resistant to HIV by gene therapy.

However, all these strategies have potential risks and there might be no benefit from them for the very first patients to be included in the first trials.

How can these risks be evaluated and what risk level can be accepted? These ethical issues are part of the debate that keeps going after the workshop, during small meetings or via professional websites.

With the next “International Workshop on HIV Persistence, Reservoirs and Eradication Strategies” scheduled in Miami, Florida, 3-6 December 2013, scientists know that they have a very short window of opportunity to be able to come with fresh data in 2 years. It absolutely needs the design and launching of the new HIV cure clinical trials in the forthcoming months.

Media Contact:
Alain Lafeuillade
AVPS
1208 Avenue Colonel Picot
83056 Toulon, Var, France
Tel: 33-4-94616340
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The SeaScapes Juried Art Exhibition is Now Open and Online

Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery is pleased to announce that its January 2012 juried art exhibition is now posted, online and ready to view on their website.

Jupiter, Florida - January 01, 2012 -- Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery is pleased to announce that its January 2012 juried art exhibition is now posted, online and ready to view on their website. The theme for this art exhibition is "SeaScapes" with artists providing their interpretation of this theme by depicting coastal living, ocean activities, seaside vistas and any related seashore subjects.

The gallery encouraged and accepted entries from all artists regardless of their experience and there were no geographic restrictions. The submission deadline was on December 29th and the gallery received and judged 500 entries from 15 different countries and from 28 different states. Due to the high volume and the quality of the entries received 90 Special Recognition awards were also designated. Congratulations to the following artists who have been designated as this month's winning artists.

1st Place Winner - Harvey Rogosin - "Morning Solitude" - http://www.harvey-rogosin.artistwebsites.com

2nd Place Winner - Megan Levacy - "Flight of Memory" - http://www.meganlevacy.com

3rd Place Winner - Leung Kamhung - "Good Morning Victoria Harbour" - http://www.lkh.art.hk

4th Place Winner - Karen Terry - "Shore Line" - http://www.artistkarenterry.com

5th Place Winner - Rosie Udovicic - "The Sea" - http://www.rodeorose.net

Honorable Mention - Lee Bonsper - "Boat House" – bonsper.@bellsouth.net

Honorable Mention - Cynthia Fleury - "Abandoned for Winter" - http://www.cynthiafleury.com

Honorable Mention - Arthur Goldberg - "Blackbeard’s Cove Tortula" - http://www.artgoldbergdesigns.com

Honorable Mention - Linda Lowery - "Beach and Grass" - http://www.lindaloweryartist.com

Honorable Mention -Tony Podue - "The Slip" - http://www.poduestudio.com

The SeaScapes Art Exhibition can be accessed at http://www.lightspacetime.com/seascapes-art-exhibition-january-2012. Each month Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery conducts themed online art competitions for 2D artists. All participating winners of each competition have their artwork exposed and promoted online through the gallery to thousands of guest visitors each month.

About Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery

Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery conducts monthly art competitions and monthly art exhibitions for new and emerging artists on a worldwide basis. It is Light Space & Time’s intention to showcase this incredible talent in a series of monthly themed art competitions and art exhibitions by marketing and displaying the exceptional abilities of these worldwide artists.

The art gallery website can be viewed here: http://www.lightspacetime.com

Contact:
John R. Math
Light Space & Time Online Gallery
118 Poinciana Drive
Jupiter, FL 33458
Tel: 888-490-3530
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New Approaches in HIV Cure Research: functional or sterilizing?

Following the last edition of the "International Workshop on HIV Persistence, Reservoirs and Eradication Strategies" held earlier this month, scientists envision the practical ways of implementing the first eradication trials in the clinic.

Tucker, GA, December 30, 2011 -- The failure of antiretroviral therapy (ART) to eradicate HIV infection lies in the fact that HIV remains quiescent in latent reservoirs. Latently infected resting CD4+ cells carry transcriptionally silent HIV-1 and represent the predominant viral reservoir in patients on suppressive ART. Other cells may also act as reservoirs such as macrophages, dendritic cells and astrocytes.

HIV is a retrovirus that integrates into the host genome and as such, on cell division will be automatically present in both daughter cells. The mechanisms involved in the maintenance of HIV reservoirs are progressively deciphered.

An HIV cure could be envisaged as either sterilizing, equivalent to HIV eradication, or functional, equivalent to HIV remission.

The concept of a functional cure implies to deplete virus reservoirs to such an extent that a “controller” status is achieved. In this way, HIV is maintained at low levels for long periods of time in the absence of ART, equivalent to that observed in known HIV “Elite controllers”.

Approaches to deplete HIV reservoirs include “purging” these reservoirs by selective activation of latently infected cells (such as memory cells) in the presence of ART such that released virus may not infect and replicate in neighboring cells. Agents include histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, cytokines, as IL-15, and bryostatin, a protein kinase C activator.

In order to demonstrate a sustained virological response (functional cure), ART will ultimately need to be stopped in order to show that virus levels remain undetectable.

The current skepticism regarding treatment interruption means that inclusion criteria for patients in such studies will take in to consideration both pre ART and nadir CD4+ T-cell counts.

It is likely that a cocktail of potent anti-latency compounds will be needed in concert with intensified ART regimen to reach an HIV cure. This implies assessing the ratio between benefit and risk and clearly informing patients about ethical issues.

The next edition of the “International Workshop on HIV Persistence, Reservoirs and Eradication Strategies” will take place in Miami, Florida, 3-6 December 2013. Meanwhile, the scientists that met together at the last meeting will keep regular ties in order to implement the first proof-of-concept trials of HIV functional cure.

Media Contact:
Alain Lafeuillade
Informed Horizons, LLC
1860 Montreal Road, Suite 2
Tucker GA 30084
Tel: 33-4-94616340
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Pinnacle Foods-Owned Farmer's Garden™ by Vlasic® and National Gardening Association Congratulate 2011 “Farm to School Project” Grant Winners

Grant Helps 35 Urban Schools Nationwide Build and Maintain Gardens.

MOUNTAIN LAKES, NJ (December 30, 2011) -- Thirty-five schools is urban cities throughout the country were selected from thousands of gardening programs nationwide by the National Gardening Association (NGA) (http://www.farmersgardenvlasic.com/nga/) to receive a 2011 “Farm to School Project” grant from Farmer’s Garden™ by Vlasic® (http://www.farmersgardenbyvlasic.com), a Pinnacle Foods Group LLC brand.

The grant was allocated among the following winning schools, each of which received a $1,100 Farmer’s Garden™ by Vlasic® Farm to School Project kit stocked full of indoor and outdoor gardening supplies, including a tiered light garden for starting seeds, seed starting kit, plant beds, tool kits, composter, kids gloves, nutrition books and more:

• University Place Elementary (Tuscaloosa, AL)
• Imagine Schools at Avondale (Avondale, AZ)
• Melrose Elementary (Los Angeles, CA)
• Pacific Beach Middle School (San Diego, CA)
• St. James School (San Francisco, CA)
• Denver Green School (Denver, CO)
• PAL @ Stanton Elementary (Washington, DC)
• Richmond Heights Middle (Miami, FL)
• David Lawrence Jr. K-8 Center (North Miami, FL)
• Roscoe Academy (Chicago, IL)
• Topeka Public School (Topeka, KS)
• RSD School District-Dr. Charles Drew School (New Orleans, LA)
• Maria L. Baldwin School (Cambridge, MA)
• Campus Learning Center (Lawrence, MA)
• Dearborn Middle School (Roxbury, MA)
• Baltimore Montessori Public Charter (Baltimore, MD)
• Lyseth Elementary Garden Club (Portland , ME)
• Genesee Intermediate School (Flint, MI)
• Garlough Environmental Magnet (West St Paul, MN)
• University City Children's Center (St. Louis, MO)
• Brier Creek Elementary School (Raleigh, NC)
• Duncan Elementary (Omaha, NE)
• Chaplain Charles J. Watters School (Jersey City, NJ)
• Salazar Elementary School (Santa Fe, NM)
• Bertha Ronzone Elementary (Las Vegas, NV)
• Duncan Elementary (Reno, NV)
• MS442 (Brooklyn, NY)
• P373R The Robert Randall School (Staten Island, NY)
• Dater Montessori School (Cincinnati, OH)
• Belmont Academy Charter (Philadelphia, PA)
• Meeting Street Academy (Charleston, SC)
• Dr. William H. Brewster Elementary (Memphis, TN)
• Park Place Elementary (Houston, TX)
• Champlain Elementary School (Burlington, VT)
• Glendale Elementary (Madison, WI)

The gardens give children the opportunity to learn about fresh fruits and vegetables through a mentored, hands-on learning environment. The students will be able to see the gardening process from start to finish, and taste the fruits of their labor.

“Each school program was selected because of its continued commitment to actively and creatively engaging youth in the gardening process,” said National Gardening Association President Michael Metallo. The NGA promotes home, school and community gardening as a means to renew and sustain the essential connections between people, plants and the environment. “The National Gardening Association proudly supports this important children’s garden for their respective communities.”

The partnership with NGA, a nonprofit leader in plant-based education for more than 35 years, underscores Farmer’s Garden™ by Vlasic’s® commitment to honest ingredients, and support of the farm to table lifestyle. The “Farm to School Project” also helps engage children's imaginations, spark their creative forces, and teach them how to keep a healthy and balanced diet.

“Children at these schools will now have an opportunity to experience fruits and vegetables through hands-on learning through their very own ‘edible classroom’,” said Vlasic Marketing Director, Greg Greene. “Farmer’s Garden™ by Vlasic® is proud to be able to recognize the teachers’ dedication and efforts in showing kids the importance of produce in their lives.”

To learn more about Farmer’s Garden™ by Vlasic®, visit http://www.farmersgardenbyvlasic.com. To learn more about the NGA's school gardening initiatives, visit http://www.kidsgardening.org.

About Pinnacle Foods Group LLC
Millions of times a day in more than 85% of American households, consumers reach for Pinnacle Foods brands. We are a leading producer, marketer and distributor of high-quality branded food products, which have been trusted household names for decades. Headquartered in Parsippany, NJ, our business employs more than 4,300 people in North America. We are a leader in the shelf stable and frozen foods segments and our brands hold the #1 or #2 market position in 10 out of 13 major category segments in which they compete. Our Duncan Hines Grocery Division manages brands such as Duncan Hines® baking mixes and frostings, Vlasic® pickles, peppers, and relish, Comstock® and Wilderness® Fruit Pie Fillings, Mrs. Butterworth’s® and Log Cabin® syrups, Armour® canned meats, Nalley® and Brooks® chili and chili ingredients, and Open Pit® barbecue sauces. Our Birds Eye Frozen Division manages brands such as Birds Eye®, Birds Eye Steamfresh®, C&W®, McKenzie’s®, and Fresh like® vegetables, Birds Eye Voila!® complete bag meals, Aunt Jemima® frozen breakfasts, Swanson® and Hungry-Man® dinners and entrees, Van de Kamp’s® and Mrs. Paul’s® seafood, Lender’s® bagels and Celeste® pizza. Our Specialty Foods Division manages Tim’s Cascade Snacks®, Hawaiian™ Kettle Style Potato Chips, Snyder of Berlin® and Husman’s® in addition to our food service and private label businesses. Further information is available at http://www.pinnaclefoods.com.

About National Gardening Association
About the National Gardening Association Founded in 1973, National Gardening Association (NGA) is a national nonprofit leader in plant-based education, respected for its award-winning, information-rich websites and newsletters; grants, curricula, and resources for youth gardens; and research for the lawn and garden industry. NGA’s mission is to promote home, school, and community gardening as a means to renew and sustain the essential connection between people, plants, and the environment. To learn more about gardening with children, please visit http://www.kidsgardening.org.

Media Contacts:
Mike Metallo
National Gardening Association (NGA)
802-863-5251 x123

Mary Sudasassi
Pinnacle Foods Group, LLC
1 Bloomfield Avenue
Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046-1429
305-448-6163
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Zevrix Extends Holiday Sale until January 5: 50% off All Products

Zevrix Solutions, a solutions developer for graphics, print and file delivery, announces today it has extended its holiday season sale until January 5. The company offers 50% discount on everything in Zevrix online store including product bundles. Zevrix produces such popular plug-ins for Adobe InDesign automation as LinkOptimizer, BatchOutput and InPreflight, as well as productivity solutions for graphic files checkup, Microsoft Office, file delivery and PDF workflow automation.

Toronto, Canada - December 30, 2011 -- Zevrix Solutions, a solutions developer for graphics, print and file delivery, announces today it has extended its holiday season sale until January 5. The company offers 50% discount on everything in its online store including product bundles. Zevrix makes several popular automation plug-ins for Adobe InDesign and Illustrator, as well as solutions for graphic files checkup, PDF workflows and automated file delivery.

The Zevrix line of products includes the following key solutions:

LinkOptimizer: an InDesign plug-in which lets users reduce linked image size, performs essential image adjustments and converts file formats automatically. The software is also available for Adobe Illustrator as ArtOptimizer.

BatchOutput: an InDesign plug-in which automates printing and exporting from InDesign and offers single page output, variable file names, PDF preflight and more.

InPreflight: an InDesign plug-in which lets users collect multiple files automatically, perform thorough quality control, and create graphic preflight reports.

Graphic Inspector: a quality control solution which checks entire folders of images and vector graphic files for multitude of attributes.

PDF Checkpoint: a PDF workflow automation solution to preflight and convert batches of PDF files.

Deliver: a file delivery solution which lets users send and share files easily over the Internet and local networks, and offers hot folder processing, automatic email notifications, compression, detailed history and more.

BatchOutput Office: a suit of productivity tools for Microsoft Office which automate printing and PDF production from Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Pricing and Availability:
Zevrix software can be purchased at 50% off until January 5, 2012 from Zevrix website, http://www.zevrix.com. For the sale conditions, please visit the website. Product trials are also available for download. All Zevrix products require Mac OS X 10.4.2-10.7, InDesign solutions require Adobe CS3-CS5.5.

About Zevrix Solutions

Located in Toronto, Canada, Zevrix Solutions provides productivity solutions for Adobe Creative Suite software, graphic file diagnostics, PDF workflow, digital delivery, and Microsoft Office on Mac OS. Zevrix Solutions is dedicated to helping professionals achieve more while doing less through automating their everyday tasks, producing error-free documents, saving disk space and cutting production costs. For more information, visit http://www.zevrix.com.

-Ends-

Contact:
Leo Revzin
Owner
Zevrix Solutions
105 McCAUL St, Suite 301
Toronto Ontario M5T 2X4 Canada
Tel: 858-206-0607
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HIV Cure Research Workshop Report

The last edition of the “International Workshop on HIV Persistence, Reservoirs and Eradication Strategies” took place in St Maarten, December 6-9, 2011. It is now time for the 210 participants to translate into their personal research what they have learned from this meeting.

Toulon, France, December 29, 2011 -- The workshop allowed to understand better fundamental mechanisms of viral persistence and virus-host interactions, and to envision future therapeutic strategies targeting HIV reservoirs. There are technological limitations to detecting HIV-infected resting memory CD4+ T-cells including: the huge volumes of blood needed by culture assay, the measure of defective viruses by PCR-based assays, and the lack of animal models. Additionally, recent studies indicate that two normal physiological processes involved in the maintenance of immunological memory, T-cell survival and homeostatic proliferation, likely contribute to the persistence of latently infected memory CD4 T-cells. In light of this evidence, researchers would like to find ways to recognize latently infected cells, activate them, leading to cell death or clearance by the immune system. Efforts are also ongoing to identify other cell populations than CD4+ T lymphocytes containing latent virus.

To design a cure for HIV infection, different or complementary approaches are needed to target residual virus in ART-treated patients. Some of them are already under testing, like vorinostat, of will be soon proposed for clinical trials, like anti-PD1 antibodies.

Finally, it is already shared by the scientific community that therapeutic approaches towards an HIV cure should be combinations of drugs to suppress inflammation, anti-PD1, chemokine antagonists, etc.

The 210 participants at the “International Workshop on HIV Persistence, Reservoirs and Eradication Strategies” discussed all these aspects in-depth. They were basic scientists, clinical researchers, firms’ representatives, and patients’ advocates, all highly involved in the search of an HIV cure.

Media Contact:
Alain Lafeuillade
CHITS
1208 Avenue Colonel Picot
83056 Toulon, Var, France
Tel: 33-4-94616340
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AlphaStaff Announces Release of Client Manager Self-Service Web Portal

CMSS to allow clients/employees to perform key operations online in January 2012.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. - December 28, 2011 -- AlphaStaff Group, Inc. (“AlphaStaff”), one of the nation’s largest professional employer organizations (PEO), announced the release of their Client Manager Self- Service (CMSS) web portal that is slated to launch in January 2012 and will allow AlphaStaff clients and their employees to perform key human resource, payroll and reporting functions through an Internet browser. The announcement was made by John Gibson, CEO.

The new CMSS web portal will provide managers with an increase of more than 300 percent more employee data. Users will have ability to update core employee and company information directly, without the need to fax, email or phone in changes thus freeing up managers from paper-based changes. Employees will have the ability to update information as well, including: State Tax Withholdings, Direct Deposits, Beneficiaries and Dependents, among other information. The CMSS portal includes a new reporting platform and can also serve as an Intranet, housing client-specific content.

“We are delighted to be starting 2012 with a brand new product for our customers,” said Jack Rahner, Vice President of Information Technology. “CMSS will allow clients to have so much more access to manage their data and perform self-service functions, freeing up back-office staff to do the jobs that they do best. The improved screen design, underlying platform, and expanded feature set truly make this a best-in-class application.”

CMSS will be user-friendly and consist of new screen layout and color schemes, presenting common employee information in a banner-like format, and using wizards when possible. CMSS will be available to clients in late January and a communications and training program will be provided for all migrating to the new platform.

To learn more about AlphaStaff and their suite of services, please visit http://www.alphastaff.com.

About AlphaStaff
AlphaStaff Group, Inc., a full range of human resource outsourcing (HRO), delivers services to small and medium sized businesses and mid-market companies through a shared employment model. The company specializes in helping companies save money, time and free up administrative resources while reducing risk and ensuring compliance. Unlike other Professional Employment Organizations (PEO) or HRO providers, AlphaStaff has a unique, coordinated delivery approach as they work exclusively with insurance broker partners to distribute services. AlphaStaff’s experienced HR professionals deliver personal and flexible service to more than 1,300 client companies in the U.S. For more information, visit http://www.alphastaff.com.

Media Contact:
Kristy Kennedy
AlphaStaff Group, Inc.
800 Corporate Drive
Suite 600
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33334
305-448-5839
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