NIH Report: STUDY OF SUGARS ON CELL SURFACE IDENTIFIES KEY FACTOR IN FLU INFECTION

Scientists have identified a key factor that determines the ability of influenza viruses to infect cells of the human upper respiratory tract — a necessary step for sustaining spread between people. The research, described in the 6 January online edition of Nature Biotechnology and funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), offers new insights into how the H5N1 avian flu virus currently circulating in birds would have to change in order to gain a foothold in human populations.

The study of glycomics is a new frontier and we'll see a lot more about it in the years to come. This press release from the NIH shows that initial findings of specific sugars play a role (good or bad) in how a flu virus gains access to the immune system or is repelled. Understanding how these sugars interact will lead to the development of new medical technology as well as understanding physiological processes that occur at the cellular level.

Harpers Biochemistry identifies eight monosaccharide sugars that must be present for normal cell function in all living things. Every human cell uses these sugars to build 'messenger molecules' and the virus also uses these sugars as part of its own molecular structure. Some believe that has been a controversial subject but the fact the NIH is funding studies like this one show the importance sugars play in the future of world health. This study from the NIH is a study of how these sugars have been impacting immunological communications since the beginning of life.

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Mannatech Adds Distinguished Kellogg Professor Robert Blattberg to Board

Here's something for the Mannatech skeptics. Why would such a famous man agree to join the board if it were not a great company, with great products and a great future? Maybe he knows something you don't? You think?

Mannatech announced the addition of Professor Robert Blattberg from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management to the company's Board of Directors. Blattberg replaces outgoing Board member Professor John Axford who is leaving the Board to focus his efforts on new research initiatives with Mannatech, as well as complete the glyconutritional research under a three-year agreement between St. George's University of London and Mannatech.

Since 1991, Professor Blattberg has served as the Polk Brothers Distinguished Professor of Retailing and Director for the Center for Retail Management within Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. He is currently on a one-year leave of absence and is a visiting professor at Carnegie Mellon University. Previously, he held the title of the Charles H. Kellstadt Professor of Marketing and served as Director of the Center of Marketing Information Technology for University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business.

"We are quite pleased to have someone with Professor Blattberg's knowledge and expertise in global retail marketing join our Board," said J. Stanley Fredrick, lead director on Mannatech's Board. "His vast experience and published accomplishments speak volumes about his ability to assist organizations in achieving success through solid marketing strategies and principles."

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Federal Court Issues Markman Ruling in Favor of Mannatech's Ambrotose® Patents

(Business Wire) Mannatech, Incorporated announced today that the federal court in the Northern District of Texas issued a Markman ruling in the company’s favor against Glycobiotics International Inc., in a patent infringement lawsuit based on Mannatech’s Ambrotose® and Advanced Ambrotose® products

After considering the plain language of the patents, patent prosecution history and briefing and evidence presented by the parties, the Court issued a Markman ruling effectively shutting down Glycobiotics’ interpretation. The Court’s ruling allows Mannatech to continue to pursue its patent infringement claims against Glycobiotics International Inc., with a trial setting expected for late fall.

Mannatech is currently pursuing two patent infringement lawsuits against Glycobiotics International Inc., and K.Y.C. Inc., d/b/a Techmedica Health Inc. The lawsuits, which are still pending, are in response to several competitors using Mannatech’s technology to create and offer copycat products.

“We are encouraged by this ruling that validates our cutting-edge research and development in the ground-breaking field of glyconutrients,” said Terry Persinger, president and CEO of Mannatech. “Our domestic and international patents on our formulations for glyconutritional dietary supplements, Ambrotose® and Advanced Ambrotose®, are a result of years of research and development and we plan to continue protecting these patents against infringement. We believe this favorable ruling should govern future disputes concerning the scope and meaning of these specific patents.”

Glycobiotics challenged Mannatech’s patents by attempting to convince the Court that Mannatech’s patents only cover compositions of highly-purified, pharmaceutical-grade individual saccharides. Mannatech vigorously opposed this narrow construction, asserting that the patents’ language and history make it clear that the patented compositions cover all-natural dietary supplements and are not limited to formulas of individual, pharmaceutical-grade ingredients.

BloggingStock Calls People Stupid...

Apparently, the author of this blog thinks anyone buying stock in the world leader of Glyconutritional products is stupid. He mentions how the CEO removed himself of his position to focus his efforts on field leaders. At the end of this blog there is a place to leave a comment. I usually leave a comment, but I don't ever get it published for some reason. Hmmm, I wonder why that is? Anyway, this time I saved my post, as I assumed it would not be published- which it wasn't- surprise! My comment is listed following the pasted blog below this. I want to share some of what doesn't ever get to make its way onto the internet. For those of you new to Glyconutritionals. This is but a mere tip of the iceberg.

As posted from BloggingStocks.com (Click to go to actual page.)

Mannatech (MTEX): Still making money because people are still stupid

When the XFL failed after just one season, I breathed a sigh of relief: Apparently it really was possible to lose money by assuming that the American public is stupid.

Well Texas-based multi-level marketer Mannatech (NASDAQ: MTEX) has proven that the assumption of stupidity is alive and well as a means of making money -- or at least keeping your stock price from collapsing even more than it already has.

On Tuesday afternoon, founder Sam Caster resigned as CEO to "allow him to step back from operating responsibilities to focus his efforts on working with field sales leaders to transition to Mannatech's new global wellness sales program."

The press release didn't even mention the Texas Attorney General's investigation that has pummeled the stock of late -- a pretty brazen case of corporate spin. Even if Caster really is resigning to work with field sales leaders, isn't that indicative that the company is facing pretty serious problems? And remember, Mannatech's army of associates is its bread and butter. If that's in disarray (it is), the whole company is a train-wreck (it is).

So how did the stock respond? It was up more than 3% on Wednesday, and continued to rise on Thursday.

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My personal response to this, which was not posted.

I don’t know if calling your readers stupid is such a good idea. Maybe its stupid to not buy the stock when it is at this low.

I understand the CEO of the company has resigned to focus his efforts in assisting field sales leaders. Remember, he is the founder of the company. So he is going to do whatever it takes to make things run as smooth as possible. It’s like that saying- if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. How much of a difference do you think his undivided attention to this will help the company? I’m sure it will help in an amazing way, as experts have taken this into consideration. So of course the stock was up and continued to rise. We’ll see what happens from here. Is stupidity alive and well as you state?

And by the way. The “army of Associates” is not in disarray. All of this has actually strengthened it like you would not believe. Contrary to what you may believe, the whole company IS NOT a train wreck.

It’s so interesting to see the outside perspective compared to what is really going on. It basically brings into light the sheer ignorance of those (followers) that believe everything on the internet and the distinct few who actually investigate behind the scenes. Of course there are a select few that know what is really going on. It is just a matter of time before one brave journalist comes into light with the truth to expose the big tyrants out to shut down MTEX.

One Soda a Day May Boost Risk for Heart Disease

Drinking just one soft drink a day — whether diet or regular — may boost your risk of getting heart disease, a new study shows.

That is because a soda habit increases the risk of developing a condition called metabolic syndrome, according to the new research, and that in turn boosts the chance of getting both heart disease and diabetes.