Downsyndrome.com

The rise in average maternal age in Europe has brought with it an increase in the number of pregnancies affected by Down’s syndrome. Down’s syndrome constitutes approximately 8% of cases of registered congenital anomaly in the European Union, with over 7,000 affected pregnancies each year in the 15 member states.

An analysis of data from 24 registries, covering 8.3 million births 1980-99 found that the proportion of births to mothers aged 35+ years rose from 8% to 14% overall. In 1995-99, the proportion of older mothers was 10-25%, and the total prevalence (including terminations of …

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Elaprase, the first product for the treatment of Hunter syndrome (Mucopolysaccharidosis II, or MPS II), has been approved by the FDA. Elaprase, approved in July 2006, is a new molecular entity–an active ingredient never before marketed in the United States.

Hunter syndrome is a rare inherited disease that can lead to premature death. It usually becomes apparent in children ages 1 to 3 years. It is a disease in which the person’s body is defective in producing the chemical iduronate-2-sulfatase. This chemical is needed to adequately break down complex sugars produced in the body.

Symptoms of the disease include growth delay, joint stiffness, and coarsening of facial features. In severe cases, people experience heart and lung problems, enlargement of the liver and spleen, neurological problems, and death.

The FDA designated Elaprase as an orphan product, one that is generally developed to treat rare diseases or conditions that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the United States. Hunter syndrome is diagnosed in about 1 out of 65,000 to 132,000 births.

Elaprase was approved after a study of 96 people with Hunter syndrome showed that the treated participants had an improved capacity to walk. At the end of the 53-week trial, people who received Elaprase infusions experienced, on average, a 38-yard greater increase in the distance walked in six minutes compared with those given an inactive product (placebo).

The most serious side effects reported during the trial were hypersensitivity reactions to Elaprase that could be life-threatening, including respiratory distress, drop in blood pressure, and seizure. Other frequent, less serious side effects included fever, headache, and joint pain.

Elaprase is manufactured by Shire Human Genetic Therapies Inc., Cambridge, Mass.

COPYRIGHT 2006 U.S. Government Printing Office
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning

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Because you’re responsible for the culture, strategic direction, and operations of your company, you know that nothing in life or in business ever stops moving and changing. That’s why we Americans have a term to describe individuals who sit in the middle of the road, not moving on, not getting out of the way: We call them “road kill.”

There has been a quantum change in the professional painting and wallcovering industry in the last decade. It’s forced you to take a look - sometimes on a daily basis - at the way you do business. I’m here to tell you that I feel your pain. Those of us in the magazine publishing industry have felt for the last few years like we’re sitting on the center line of the business highway… and there’s an 18-wheeler bearing down on us.

Like any business, we’ve been forced to reinvent our business model. A magazine is lot like your contracting business: Through the way you’ve operated your company you’ve built a name (brand) that, because of its core values, attracts a particular type of customer. You may buy a new spray rig, install new accounting software, or bring in a new crew leader; at the end of the day your brand and identity is what you have to sell.

Finan Publishing, publisher of PWC magazine, is nearing the end of an arduous process that has resulted in changes in personnel and the development of new electronic and other products. These changes will allow us to deliver information to you in a number of new ways and will allow marketers in the architectural coatings industry to capitalize on our brands.

As mentioned briefly in the last issue, Kevin Hohman has joined Finan Publishing Co. Inc. as group publisher and sales director. Kevin will be a valuable asset to the Finan Publishing team. Hohman brings to Finan experience as the publisher of Hardware Retailing magazine and as vice president of the North American Retail Hard- ‘ ware Association. Prior to joining Finan and NRHA, Kevin worked in advertising sales at The Wall Street Journal, ;’ Forbes and Barren’s magazines, where he had extensive experience in packaged goods. He will be based in Indianapolis. Kevin can be reached at khohman@finan.com, telephone 314.961.6644, ext 112.

Tony Vecchie has joined us as national sales manager. He will head up the sales effort on PVVC. Tony has spent the last 12 years with the North American Retail Hardware Association on Hardware Retailing magazine, and is a pro at developing programs designed specifically for manufacturers. Tony will be based in Chicago. He can be ; reached at vecchie@finan.com, telephone 847.970.3596.

“I’m excited to be joining a communications company that is extending their brand beyond the traditional print vehicle,” Kevin Hohman said. “These new products will help professionals in the club and resort industry to make better-informed buying decisions.”

New products being introduced by Finan Publishing include:

Weekly E-Newsletters: The newsletters - PWC Update is the one for painters - debuted in early August. They are compiled by the magazines’ senior staff and include industry news, operational ideas, and weekly surveys.

Online Resource Centers: Launching in November, the centers are Web-based databases which provide a “central point” for information in the vertical industries which Finan Publishing serves. They will, in essence, replace the Web sites on which they are located. The PWC site will be a go-to resource for painting professionals to research industry-related topics; attend online “webinar” education, network with other contractors, make informed purchasing decisions, and request further information from manufacturers. The center’s content will include blogs, discussion forums, streaming media, and “mini-Web sites” which showcase vendors on search page results.

Regional and National Events: Our company is partnering with key industry vendors and trade associations to create custom industry research and regional events. Capitalizing on the credibility of its brands, Finan will provide education for painting professionals and offer vendors one-on-one touches with the painting professionals served by its publications.

PWC is also assembling an editorial board comprised of contractors, industry vendors. With Kevin Hohman taking the reins as group publisher/sales director, I will retain the title of president, but will add “editorial director” to my business cards. As such I will be directly responsible for the quality of the products that we are delivering to you, and for the development of new products.

As we continue to change and grow, we need and encourage your suggestions, questions, and criticism. My email is tom.finan@finan.com. My direct phone number is 314.517.2466.

Tom Finan, Publisher

Copyright Finan Publishing Company, Inc. Nov/Dec 2006
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved

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