Case Researcher Discovers Natural Product that Blocks Tissue Destruction
Scientists at Case Western Reserve University's School of Medicine have published in the Journal of Inflammation a remarkable discovery with a natural product derived from the Amazon rainforest. The discovery's unique actions suggest a broad set of applications in various joint, skin and gastrointestinal diseases, including osteoarthritis and irritable bowel syndrome.
The publication revealed that Progrado®, an extract from a rainforest tree called Croton palanostigma, was a remarkably potent antioxidant and prevented the destruction of human cartilage by molecular s scissors called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). According to the researchers, these enzymes cut collagen, which forms the backbone of the cartilage, into tiny pieces during states of inflammation and alter the fabric that holds tissues together. Read more.
University Spinoff Partners with Medtronic to Produce, Distribute Adult Stem Cell Technology
Case Western Reserve University's spinoff Arteriocyte Inc. is joining forces with Medtronic of Minneapolis to acquire and exclusively distribute a drug delivery system with the potential to accelerate wound healing and reduce infection following surgery.
Arteriocyte, through its new medical device company Arteriocyte Medical Systems Inc., has formed a strategic partnership with Medtronic, beginning with the immediate acquisition of the Magellan Platelet Gel Business. Arteriocyte Inc.—a partner of the National Center for Regenerative Medicine —recently teamed with the private equity firm DW Healthcare Partners of Salt Lake City to create Arteriocyte Medical Systems Inc.
The Magellan system has the potential to accelerate wound healing and reduce infection in cardiac surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, orthopedics and vascular surgery. It is expected to serve as the ideal delivery system for Arteriocyte's chord blood-derived technology. Read more.
Case Western Reserve Researchers Continue Studying Quality of Life for Older Americans
Some answers about the quality of life for older Americans will come from 125 remaining members of 1,000 retirees who have been studied by Case Western Reserve University sociologist Eva Kahana over the past 18 years. The study's elderly participants have provided important information on how people lead successful lives as they cope with the stresses of growing older and frailer, and continued research will provide one of the first in-depth looks at the social and personal aspects of everyday life for people entering the final phase of life.
Kahana will collaborate with May Wykle, dean of the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University, as the lead investigator in the $2.4 million, five-year study funded by the National Institute of Health's National Institute of Nursing Research. Other university researchers on the project will be sociologists Jessica Kelley-Moore, a new faculty member, and Cathie King, project director. Read more.
Campus News
The Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences invites potential students to an open house from 10 a.m. to noon, November 10 at the school. Learn about graduate programs, field education and financial aid. Details: Call 368-2290 or go to the school's Web site.
Case Police and Security Services provides fingerprinting services for university personnel who need State of Ohio or FBI checks. Contact police detective Dan Schemmel, 368-5993, for cost and to schedule an appointment. The service is offered at the North Campus Police and Security Services office, 1725 E. 115th St.
Get the most out of the licensed databases and journals on campus with a CaseLearns Saturday class, "Navigating Electronic Information Resources," from 10 a.m. to noon, November 10 at Kelvin Smith Library. Discover search strategies and tips for mining newspaper databases, journals and more. Details and a registration link are on the KSL news blog.
For Faculty & Staff
The Academic Careers in Science and Engineering (ACES) program announces the availability of additional funding extended to all departments of the university to be used for opportunities currently funded by the NSF program which have heretofore been restricted to science and engineering departments. For complete details, go to the ACES Web site, or contact Deputy Provost Lynn Singer at 368-4389, or Tracy Paige at 368-6204.
For Students
Senior yearbook photos for the 2007-2008 academic year are scheduled for November 13 and 14, and February 6 and 7, 2008. There is no cost to sit for the pictures, although there will be an opportunity to purchase packages on site. Call Focus One/Alan Ext Photography at (440) 333-7550 or schedule an appointment online.
The university's Peer Helper Network (PHN) is sponsoring a training day for students who wish to become Certified Peer Educators. PHN is a student-run group that focuses on increasing campus wellness. The training day is from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., November 17 in the Thwing Center Spartan Room. For $15, students will receive training, a T-shirt, lunch, a booklet, and the chance to meet other peer helpers. Training will focus on listening skills, confrontational skills, stress management, role modeling, and ethics, and the session will conclude with the PHN certification exam. More details: Contact Svetlana Tkachenko via e-mail.
Events
The university's men's and women's varsity swimming and diving teams are hosting the Veale Classic Meet on the evening of November 9 and the morning and afternoon of November 10. Case will compete against teams from Oberlin College, John Carroll University, and the College of Wooster. Refer to the schedules for complete details.
The next Friday Public Affairs Discussion will feature Jane Platten, director of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, on "A Post Election Report," from 12:30-1:30 p.m., November 9 in the Inamori Center in Crawford Hall, Room 9.
A Faculty Forum on the topic of "University and Cleveland Community Relations" begins at 12:30 p.m., November 9 at Schmitt Auditorium. The faculty forum is a semesterly event that aims to bring students and faculty together in a meaningful discussion and debate about current issues impacting the campus community.
Refer to the Web event calendar for a list of events and activities on campus and in the community today and in the days ahead.
