Understand These Very Best Food Items for Unwanted Weight Loss

Understand These Very Best Food Items for Unwanted Weight Loss
The Modern day is physical fitness obsessed. Folks are not simply searching for ways to slim down; they're starting different diet programs to keep healthy and fit. Aside from physical exercise, these types of weight ...

10 Healthy Back-to-School Lunch Recipes from Around the Web

10 Healthy Back-to-School Lunch Recipes from Around the Web

09/02/2013 - 7:28am by Sophia Breene

Early September has a back-to-school feel to it, even for those of us who have long since graduated. Whether you're a parent prepping a meal for the kids or a worker on a budget, making and packing lunch every day can quickly get boring. A person (child or grown-up!) can only eat so many PB&J sandwiches, turkey wraps, or spinach salads before they all start to taste snooze-worthy. In honor of the first day of school, here are some fresh and easy recipes that are ideal for brown bagging. 

Baby Peas and Cheese Frittata via Family Fresh Cooking
This easy frittata (fun fact: a frittata is the same thing as a quiche, minus the crust) features peas, garlic, and leeks. Plus, it's packed with protein in the form of skim milk, egg whites, and cheese. Add seasonal veggies to put your own spin on it. Photo: Marla Meridith / Family Fresh Cooking

BLT Spring Roll via White on Rice Couple
This lunchtime entree is basically a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich...minus the sandwich. Instead of stacking ingredients on toast, roll 'em up in rice paper. This healthy recipe gets flavor from fresh herbs like basil and mint, not mayo. Photo: Todd and Diane / White on Rice Couple

Vegetable Pizza Roll-Ups via Petit Foodie
These rolls may look like cinnamon buns (drool), but they're loaded with veggies and protein-rich cheese to keep you fueled up all afternoon long. Make these bad boys even healthier by including some nutrient-dense spinach, subbing in whole-wheat pizza dough, and using low-fat cream cheese. Photo: Jenna / Petit Foodie

Southwest Salad with Spicy Cilantro Dressing via Eatin' On The Cheap
Pro tip: grill an extra chicken breast or two for dinner, and then chop them up to make this salad for lunch the next day. The creamy, spicy dressing is made with guilt-free Greek yogurt, so don't be afraid to drizzle it on. Photo: Jodie Mo / Eatin' On The Cheap

Strawberry Quesadillas via La Fuji Mama
Sweet and savory flavors combine in this super-healthy, fresh tasting quesadilla. Fill a tortilla (go whole-wheat for extra fiber) with smashed avocado, sliced strawberries, black beans, a sprinkle of cheese, and cook until golden brown. Serve it with fresh tomato salsa or low-fat sour cream. Photo: Rachael / La Fuji Mama

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad via Plum Pie
This tasty sandwich is chock full of protein and healthy fats to keep your engine going until dinnertime. The chicken salad uses just a touch of mayo (most of the creaminess comes from Greek yogurt) and boasts plenty of flavor due to chopped apples, cranberries, pecans, and rosemary. Photo: Brooke / Plum Pie

Grilled Eggplant and Roasted Pepper Sandwich with Halloumi via Closet Cooking
This monster of a sandwich will convert even the staunchest veggie-naysayer. With hearty eggplant, flavorful red peppers, juicy tomatoes, smoky cheese, and a bright smear of pesto, there's no need for meat.   Photo: Kevin / Closet Cooking

Greek Salad Sandwich via Food and Other Stuff
Finally, a portable, easy way to pack and eat Greek salad for lunch. A creamy spread made from chickpeas, parsley, lemon juice, and feta cheese lends this recipe plenty of substance, while red onions, cukes, and tomatoes give it tons of fresh flavor. Photo: Mirabella / Food and Other Stuff

Cold Sesame Noodles with Veggies via Katie at the Kitchen Door
Make an extra-large batch of these Asian-themed noodles and divvy the leftovers up for lunch throughout the week. Luckily, cold sesame noodles taste even better after a day or two in the fridge. Photo: Katie Morris / Katie at the Kitchen Door

Turkey, Hummus, and Veggie Wrap via Jo Cooks
This classic roll-up is perfect for picky eaters, or even grown-ups looking for a simple, straightforward midday meal. Spread a whole-wheat tortilla with hummus (plain or flavored, your call), sliced turkey, tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell pepper. Season it with lime juice and salt and pepper and then roll the whole thing up. Photo: Jo / Jo Cooks

What are your favorite lunch recipes? Share them in the comments below or get in touch with the author on Twitter at @SophBreene.

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Amgen Presents Pooled Analysis Showing AMG 145 Significantly Reduced LDL Cholesterol In Over 1,200 Patients

Amgen Presents Pooled Analysis Showing AMG 145 Significantly Reduced LDL Cholesterol In Over 1,200 Patients

Amgen Logo. (PRNewsFoto/Amgen)

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Aug. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) today announced treatment with AMG 145 resulted in significant reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), or "bad" cholesterol, of up to 59 percent in an efficacy analysis of pooled data from four 12-week Phase 2 studies evaluating AMG 145 in patient populations with high cholesterol. AMG 145 is an investigational human monoclonal antibody that inhibits PCSK9, a protein that reduces the liver's ability to remove LDL-C from the blood. Amgen presented the data at the ESC Congress 2013, organized by the European Society of Cardiology, in Amsterdam.

Elevated LDL-C is recognized as a major risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) disease.^1,2 Despite the availability of various treatments to lower LDL-C, it is estimated that in two-thirds of treated, high-risk patients, LDL-C is not well-controlled.^3,4

"Millions of people around the world are unable to control their LDL cholesterol with currently available treatment options," said Sean E. Harper, M.D., executive vice president of Research and Development at Amgen. "The data that we have accumulated in our Phase 2 clinical program is evidence that AMG 145 has the potential to help patients reach their cholesterol goals. We are conducting a large and comprehensive Phase 3 clinical program evaluating AMG 145 in multiple patient populations and utilizing two dosing schedules, with the hopes of advancing care and improving the lives of patients with uncontrolled high LDL cholesterol."

Results from the efficacy analysis showed mean reductions in LDL-C from baseline to week 12, as measured by preparative ultracentrifugation, ranged from 40 to 59 percent across AMG 145 doses in comparison to 0.1 to 0.5 percent for placebo (p=0.001). AMG 145 treatment was also associated with improvements in other lipid parameters, including high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein(a) and apolipoprotein A1, within each targeted dose frequency of AMG 145.

In the safety analysis, adverse events (AEs) were observed more frequently with AMG 145 than placebo (57 percent vs. 49 percent) with the most frequent AEs being nasopharyngitis (8.3 percent vs. 7.5 percent) and upper respiratory tract infection (4.1 percent vs. 3.3 percent). Serious AEs were 2.0 percent with AMG 145 and 1.2 percent with placebo. The rates of injection-site reactions were similar between patients treated with AMG 145 and those treated with placebo (4.1 percent vs. 3.3 percent) while muscle-related AEs and anti-drug binding antibodies were 6.0 percent vs. 3.9 percent and 0.1 percent vs. 0.3 percent, respectively.  

About the Pooled Analyses
The pre-specified, pooled analyses of data were from four Phase 2, placebo-controlled, randomized trials of AMG 145 in various patient populations with hyperlipidemia. In each trial, treatment duration was 12 weeks and the primary endpoint was percentage change in LDL-C from baseline, as measured by ultracentrifugation. Patients enrolled in the trials received various doses of AMG 145 subcutaneously every two weeks or monthly. Three of the four trials permitted stable background statin therapy. The trials included:

– MENDEL (Monoclonal Antibody Against PCSK9 to Reduce Elevated LDL-C in Patients Currently Not Receiving Drug Therapy for Easing Lipid Levels) evaluated the efficacy, safety and tolerability of AMG 145 administered subcutaneously every two weeks and every four weeks in hyperlipidemic patients (LDL-C ³ 100 mg/dL and < 190 mg/dL) who were not receiving statin therapy.

– LAPLACE-TIMI 57 (LDL-C Assessment with PCSK9 MonoclonaL Antibody Inhibition Combined With Statin ThErapy – Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction-57) evaluated the efficacy, safety and tolerability of AMG 145 administered subcutaneously every two weeks and every four weeks in hyperlipidemic patients at risk for CV disease (LDL-C > 85 mg/dL) when added to a stable dose of statin, with or without ezetimibe.

– RUTHERFORD (RedUction of LDL-C With PCSK9 InhibiTion in HEteRozygous Familial HyperchOlesteRolemia Disorder Study) evaluated AMG 145 administered subcutaneously every month, in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemic patients with an LDL-C >100 mg/dL who were on a stable dose of statin, with or without ezetimibe.

– GAUSS (Goal Achievement After Utilizing an anti-PCSK9 Antibody in Statin Intolerant Subjects) evaluated the efficacy, safety and tolerability of AMG 145 dosed subcutaneously every month, in hyperlipidemic patients who could not tolerate effective statin doses due to muscle-related side effects. 

About AMG 145
AMG 145 is a human monoclonal antibody that inhibits proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). PCSK9 is a protein that targets LDL receptors for degradation and thereby reduces the liver's ability to remove LDL-C, or "bad" cholesterol, from the blood.⁵ AMG 145, being developed by Amgen scientists, is designed to bind to PCSK9 and inhibit PCSK9 from binding to LDL receptors on the liver surface. In the absence of PCSK9, there are more LDL receptors on the surface of the liver to remove LDL-C from the blood.⁶

About the AMG 145 Clinical Trial Program
PROFICIO, which stands for the Program to Reduce LDL-C and Cardiovascular Outcomes Following Inhibition of PCSK9 In Different POpulations, is the large and comprehensive clinical trial program evaluating AMG 145.

The Phase 3 clinical trial program for AMG 145 builds upon the successful Phase 2 studies and includes 12 trials, with a combined planned enrollment of more than 27,000 patients. The Phase 3 studies will evaluate AMG 145 administered every two weeks and monthly in multiple patient populations, including in combination with statins in patients with hyperlipidemia (LAPLACE-2), in patients with hyperlipidemia who cannot tolerate statins (GAUSS-2), as a stand-alone treatment in patients with hyperlipidemia (MENDEL-2), and in patients whose elevated cholesterol is caused by genetic disorders called heterozygous (RUTHERFORD-2) and homozygous (TESLA and TAUSSIG) familial hypercholesterolemia.

Five studies of AMG 145 will provide long-term safety and efficacy data, including the FOURIER (Further Cardiovascular OUtcomes Research with PCSK9 Inhibition in
Subjects with Elevated Risk) study, which will assess whether treatment with AMG 145 compared to placebo reduces recurrent cardiovascular events in approximately 22,500 patients with cardiovascular disease.

Additional information about clinical trials of AMG 145 can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov.

About Amgen
Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology.

Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its biologics manufacturing expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people's lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be the world's largest independent biotechnology company, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential. 

For more information, visit www.amgen.com and follow us on www.twitter.com/amgen.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including estimates of revenues, operating margins, capital expenditures, cash, other financial metrics, expected legal, arbitration, political, regulatory or clinical results or practices, customer and prescriber patterns or practices, reimbursement activities and outcomes and other such estimates and results. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, including those discussed below and more fully described in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reports filed by Amgen, including Amgen's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent periodic reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Please refer to Amgen's most recent Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K for additional information on the uncertainties and risk factors related to our business. Unless otherwise noted, Amgen is providing this information as of Aug. 31, 2013, and expressly disclaims any duty to update information contained in this news release.

No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from those we project. Discovery or identification of new product candidates or development of new indications for existing products cannot be guaranteed and movement from concept to product is uncertain; consequently, there can be no guarantee that any particular product candidate or development of a new indication for an existing product will be successful and become a commercial product. Further, preclinical results do not guarantee safe and effective performance of product candidates in humans. The complexity of the human body cannot be perfectly, or sometimes, even adequately modeled by computer or cell culture systems or animal models. The length of time that it takes for us to complete clinical trials and obtain regulatory approval for product marketing has in the past varied and we expect similar variability in the future. We develop product candidates internally and through licensing collaborations, partnerships and joint ventures. Product candidates that are derived from relationships may be subject to disputes between the parties or may prove to be not as effective or as safe as we may have believed at the time of entering into such relationship. Also, we or others could identify safety, side effects or manufacturing problems with our products after they are on the market. Our business may be impacted by government investigations, litigation and products liability claims. We depend on third parties for a significant portion of our manufacturing capacity for the supply of certain of our current and future products and limits on supply may constrain sales of certain of our current products and product candidate development.

In addition, sales of our products are affected by the reimbursement policies imposed by third-party payors, including governments, private insurance plans and managed care providers and may be affected by regulatory, clinical and guideline developments and domestic and international trends toward managed care and healthcare cost containment as well as U.S. legislation affecting pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement. Government and others' regulations and reimbursement policies may affect the development, usage and pricing of our products. In addition, we compete with other companies with respect to some of our marketed products as well as for the discovery and development of new products. We believe that some of our newer products, product candidates or new indications for existing products, may face competition when and as they are approved and marketed. Our products may compete against products that have lower prices, established reimbursement, superior performance, are easier to administer, or that are otherwise competitive with our products. In addition, while we routinely obtain patents for our products and technology, the protection offered by our patents and patent applications may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented by our competitors and there can be no guarantee of our ability to obtain or maintain patent protection for our products or product candidates. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to produce commercially successful products or maintain the commercial success of our existing products. Our stock price may be affected by actual or perceived market opportunity, competitive position, and success or failure of our products or product candidates. Further, the discovery of significant problems with a product similar to one of our products that implicate an entire class of products could have a material adverse effect on sales of the affected products and on our business and results of operations.

The scientific information discussed in this news release related to our product candidates is preliminary and investigative. Such product candidates are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and no conclusions can or should be drawn regarding the safety or effectiveness of the product candidates.

CONTACT: Amgen, Thousand Oaks
Ashleigh Koss, 805-559-0746 (media)
Arvind Sood, 805-447-1060 (investors)

^1.     American Heart Association (2012). Why cholesterol matters. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/WhyCholesterolMatters/Why-Cholesterol-Matters_UCM_001212_Article.jsp. Accessed August 2013
^2.   World Health Organization. Global status report on noncommunicable diseases 2010. Geneva, 2011.
^3.     Roger V et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics – 2011 update: A report from the American Heart Association.   Circulation.2011;123:e18-e209.
^4.    Durrington P. Dyslipidaemia.The Lancet.2003;362:717–311.
^5.     Abifadel M et al. Mutations in PCSK9 cause autosomal dominant hypercholesterolemia. Nat Genet 2003;34:154-    156.
^6.   Amgen data on file, Investigator Brochure.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20081015/AMGENLOGO)

SOURCE Amgen

RELATED LINKS
http://www.amgen.com

Source: www.prnewswire.com

Amgen Presents Pooled Analysis Showing AMG 145 Significantly Reduced LDL Cholesterol In Over 1,200 Patients

Amgen Presents Pooled Analysis Showing AMG 145 Significantly Reduced LDL Cholesterol In Over 1,200 Patients

Amgen Logo. (PRNewsFoto/Amgen)

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Aug. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) today announced treatment with AMG 145 resulted in significant reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), or "bad" cholesterol, of up to 59 percent in an efficacy analysis of pooled data from four 12-week Phase 2 studies evaluating AMG 145 in patient populations with high cholesterol. AMG 145 is an investigational human monoclonal antibody that inhibits PCSK9, a protein that reduces the liver's ability to remove LDL-C from the blood. Amgen presented the data at the ESC Congress 2013, organized by the European Society of Cardiology, in Amsterdam.

Elevated LDL-C is recognized as a major risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) disease.^1,2 Despite the availability of various treatments to lower LDL-C, it is estimated that in two-thirds of treated, high-risk patients, LDL-C is not well-controlled.^3,4

"Millions of people around the world are unable to control their LDL cholesterol with currently available treatment options," said Sean E. Harper, M.D., executive vice president of Research and Development at Amgen. "The data that we have accumulated in our Phase 2 clinical program is evidence that AMG 145 has the potential to help patients reach their cholesterol goals. We are conducting a large and comprehensive Phase 3 clinical program evaluating AMG 145 in multiple patient populations and utilizing two dosing schedules, with the hopes of advancing care and improving the lives of patients with uncontrolled high LDL cholesterol."

Results from the efficacy analysis showed mean reductions in LDL-C from baseline to week 12, as measured by preparative ultracentrifugation, ranged from 40 to 59 percent across AMG 145 doses in comparison to 0.1 to 0.5 percent for placebo (p=0.001). AMG 145 treatment was also associated with improvements in other lipid parameters, including high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein(a) and apolipoprotein A1, within each targeted dose frequency of AMG 145.

In the safety analysis, adverse events (AEs) were observed more frequently with AMG 145 than placebo (57 percent vs. 49 percent) with the most frequent AEs being nasopharyngitis (8.3 percent vs. 7.5 percent) and upper respiratory tract infection (4.1 percent vs. 3.3 percent). Serious AEs were 2.0 percent with AMG 145 and 1.2 percent with placebo. The rates of injection-site reactions were similar between patients treated with AMG 145 and those treated with placebo (4.1 percent vs. 3.3 percent) while muscle-related AEs and anti-drug binding antibodies were 6.0 percent vs. 3.9 percent and 0.1 percent vs. 0.3 percent, respectively.  

About the Pooled Analyses
The pre-specified, pooled analyses of data were from four Phase 2, placebo-controlled, randomized trials of AMG 145 in various patient populations with hyperlipidemia. In each trial, treatment duration was 12 weeks and the primary endpoint was percentage change in LDL-C from baseline, as measured by ultracentrifugation. Patients enrolled in the trials received various doses of AMG 145 subcutaneously every two weeks or monthly. Three of the four trials permitted stable background statin therapy. The trials included:

– MENDEL (Monoclonal Antibody Against PCSK9 to Reduce Elevated LDL-C in Patients Currently Not Receiving Drug Therapy for Easing Lipid Levels) evaluated the efficacy, safety and tolerability of AMG 145 administered subcutaneously every two weeks and every four weeks in hyperlipidemic patients (LDL-C ³ 100 mg/dL and < 190 mg/dL) who were not receiving statin therapy.

– LAPLACE-TIMI 57 (LDL-C Assessment with PCSK9 MonoclonaL Antibody Inhibition Combined With Statin ThErapy – Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction-57) evaluated the efficacy, safety and tolerability of AMG 145 administered subcutaneously every two weeks and every four weeks in hyperlipidemic patients at risk for CV disease (LDL-C > 85 mg/dL) when added to a stable dose of statin, with or without ezetimibe.

– RUTHERFORD (RedUction of LDL-C With PCSK9 InhibiTion in HEteRozygous Familial HyperchOlesteRolemia Disorder Study) evaluated AMG 145 administered subcutaneously every month, in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemic patients with an LDL-C >100 mg/dL who were on a stable dose of statin, with or without ezetimibe.

– GAUSS (Goal Achievement After Utilizing an anti-PCSK9 Antibody in Statin Intolerant Subjects) evaluated the efficacy, safety and tolerability of AMG 145 dosed subcutaneously every month, in hyperlipidemic patients who could not tolerate effective statin doses due to muscle-related side effects. 

About AMG 145
AMG 145 is a human monoclonal antibody that inhibits proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). PCSK9 is a protein that targets LDL receptors for degradation and thereby reduces the liver's ability to remove LDL-C, or "bad" cholesterol, from the blood.⁵ AMG 145, being developed by Amgen scientists, is designed to bind to PCSK9 and inhibit PCSK9 from binding to LDL receptors on the liver surface. In the absence of PCSK9, there are more LDL receptors on the surface of the liver to remove LDL-C from the blood.⁶

About the AMG 145 Clinical Trial Program
PROFICIO, which stands for the Program to Reduce LDL-C and Cardiovascular Outcomes Following Inhibition of PCSK9 In Different POpulations, is the large and comprehensive clinical trial program evaluating AMG 145.

The Phase 3 clinical trial program for AMG 145 builds upon the successful Phase 2 studies and includes 12 trials, with a combined planned enrollment of more than 27,000 patients. The Phase 3 studies will evaluate AMG 145 administered every two weeks and monthly in multiple patient populations, including in combination with statins in patients with hyperlipidemia (LAPLACE-2), in patients with hyperlipidemia who cannot tolerate statins (GAUSS-2), as a stand-alone treatment in patients with hyperlipidemia (MENDEL-2), and in patients whose elevated cholesterol is caused by genetic disorders called heterozygous (RUTHERFORD-2) and homozygous (TESLA and TAUSSIG) familial hypercholesterolemia.

Five studies of AMG 145 will provide long-term safety and efficacy data, including the FOURIER (Further Cardiovascular OUtcomes Research with PCSK9 Inhibition in
Subjects with Elevated Risk) study, which will assess whether treatment with AMG 145 compared to placebo reduces recurrent cardiovascular events in approximately 22,500 patients with cardiovascular disease.

Additional information about clinical trials of AMG 145 can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov.

About Amgen
Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology.

Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its biologics manufacturing expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people's lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be the world's largest independent biotechnology company, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential. 

For more information, visit www.amgen.com and follow us on www.twitter.com/amgen.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including estimates of revenues, operating margins, capital expenditures, cash, other financial metrics, expected legal, arbitration, political, regulatory or clinical results or practices, customer and prescriber patterns or practices, reimbursement activities and outcomes and other such estimates and results. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, including those discussed below and more fully described in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reports filed by Amgen, including Amgen's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent periodic reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Please refer to Amgen's most recent Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K for additional information on the uncertainties and risk factors related to our business. Unless otherwise noted, Amgen is providing this information as of Aug. 31, 2013, and expressly disclaims any duty to update information contained in this news release.

No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from those we project. Discovery or identification of new product candidates or development of new indications for existing products cannot be guaranteed and movement from concept to product is uncertain; consequently, there can be no guarantee that any particular product candidate or development of a new indication for an existing product will be successful and become a commercial product. Further, preclinical results do not guarantee safe and effective performance of product candidates in humans. The complexity of the human body cannot be perfectly, or sometimes, even adequately modeled by computer or cell culture systems or animal models. The length of time that it takes for us to complete clinical trials and obtain regulatory approval for product marketing has in the past varied and we expect similar variability in the future. We develop product candidates internally and through licensing collaborations, partnerships and joint ventures. Product candidates that are derived from relationships may be subject to disputes between the parties or may prove to be not as effective or as safe as we may have believed at the time of entering into such relationship. Also, we or others could identify safety, side effects or manufacturing problems with our products after they are on the market. Our business may be impacted by government investigations, litigation and products liability claims. We depend on third parties for a significant portion of our manufacturing capacity for the supply of certain of our current and future products and limits on supply may constrain sales of certain of our current products and product candidate development.

In addition, sales of our products are affected by the reimbursement policies imposed by third-party payors, including governments, private insurance plans and managed care providers and may be affected by regulatory, clinical and guideline developments and domestic and international trends toward managed care and healthcare cost containment as well as U.S. legislation affecting pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement. Government and others' regulations and reimbursement policies may affect the development, usage and pricing of our products. In addition, we compete with other companies with respect to some of our marketed products as well as for the discovery and development of new products. We believe that some of our newer products, product candidates or new indications for existing products, may face competition when and as they are approved and marketed. Our products may compete against products that have lower prices, established reimbursement, superior performance, are easier to administer, or that are otherwise competitive with our products. In addition, while we routinely obtain patents for our products and technology, the protection offered by our patents and patent applications may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented by our competitors and there can be no guarantee of our ability to obtain or maintain patent protection for our products or product candidates. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to produce commercially successful products or maintain the commercial success of our existing products. Our stock price may be affected by actual or perceived market opportunity, competitive position, and success or failure of our products or product candidates. Further, the discovery of significant problems with a product similar to one of our products that implicate an entire class of products could have a material adverse effect on sales of the affected products and on our business and results of operations.

The scientific information discussed in this news release related to our product candidates is preliminary and investigative. Such product candidates are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and no conclusions can or should be drawn regarding the safety or effectiveness of the product candidates.

CONTACT: Amgen, Thousand Oaks
Ashleigh Koss, 805-559-0746 (media)
Arvind Sood, 805-447-1060 (investors)

^1.     American Heart Association (2012). Why cholesterol matters. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/WhyCholesterolMatters/Why-Cholesterol-Matters_UCM_001212_Article.jsp. Accessed August 2013
^2.   World Health Organization. Global status report on noncommunicable diseases 2010. Geneva, 2011.
^3.     Roger V et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics – 2011 update: A report from the American Heart Association.   Circulation.2011;123:e18-e209.
^4.    Durrington P. Dyslipidaemia.The Lancet.2003;362:717–311.
^5.     Abifadel M et al. Mutations in PCSK9 cause autosomal dominant hypercholesterolemia. Nat Genet 2003;34:154-    156.
^6.   Amgen data on file, Investigator Brochure.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20081015/AMGENLOGO)

SOURCE Amgen

RELATED LINKS
http://www.amgen.com

Source: www.prnewswire.com

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Source

Dr. Roach: Alzheimer's disease does have some genetic link

Dr. Roach: Alzheimer's disease does have some genetic link
Dear Dr. Roach: My wife and her two siblings all have Alzheimer's disease. My wife is 81 and now lives in a nursing home. Her sister is 86 and in hospice, and their brother died at age 80.

All Natural Garcinia Cambogia Is a Weight Loss Pill That Works

It's not every day you come across a weight loss product so powerful that it's hailed as the "holy grail of weight loss." What's even less likely is that the product making people rant and rave about extraordinary weight loss results is a 100% natural, pure fruit extract. Well, prepare to have your mind blown, because that's exactly what's helping people all over the world achieve their weight loss goals more quickly and safely than ever before. In fact, this is quite possibly the greatest scientific breakthrough in the history of weight-loss research. Source

Do you thrive on Facebook likes?

Do you thrive on Facebook likes?
The more popular people are on Facebook, the more they love the social media platform, a new study has found.

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Not quite a cookie, but not yet a cake, there's something so satisfying about a brownie. Whether you like them dense and fudgy or light and cakey, there's a healthy recipe for you here. And we've thought of everything; look for recipes that are vegan, raw, gluten-free, and absent of refined sugars, too.

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Gut bacteria affect health and obesity

Bacteria in people's digestive systems seem to affect whether they become overweight or obese, and new research sheds more light on why that might be. You can get the whole story here.

For the Rest of 2013, Mold Inspection Sciences of San Francisco is...

San Francisco, California residents may contact Mold Inspection Sciences by phone or email to discuss, for free, their concerns about indoor mold and moisture problems. The company's competitors...

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Greatist Workout of the Day: Thursday August 29th

Greatist Workout of the Day: Thursday August 29th

08/29/2013 - 10:12am by The Greatist Team

Welcome to the cycle of GWODs designed by Kelvin Gary and Katherine Simmons of Body Space Fitness! Note: Exercise descriptions with video links are included below the image.

Have thoughts on the new graphic design of Greatist's Workouts of the Day? Email us at gwod [at] greatist.com!

·       Walkouts are an advanced ab exercise, so make sure you’re ready for it with this great post about walkouts, and walkout modifications.

·       Step it up with Step ups! This simple exercise is great for your glutes, hamstrings, and quads.

·       A rear foot elevated slip squat is more commonly known as a Bulgarian split squat. Learn about the Bulgarian Split Squat here.

·       Skaters are a great conditioning exercise. Learn how to do skaters with this video demo.

For full post, click here.

China Nepstar Chain Drugstore Ltd. Reports Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results

China Nepstar Chain Drugstore Ltd. Reports Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results

SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- China Nepstar Chain Drugstore Ltd. (NYSE: NPD) ("Nepstar" or the "Company"), the largest retail drugstore chain in China based on the number of directly operated stores, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2013.

Financial Highlights

For the quarter ended June 30, 2013:

• Same store sales increased by 8.6% compared with the second quarter of 2012
• Revenue increased to RMB638.8 million (US$104.1 million) compared with RMB617.6 million for second quarter 2012
• Loss from operations was RMB1.0 million (US$0.2 million), compared with income from operations of RMB 3.9 million for the second quarter 2012.
• Net cash-flow from operating activities was RMB14.6 million (US$2.4 million), compared to RMB30.2 million in second quarter 2012

Mr. Fuxiang Zhang, Chief Executive Officer of Nepstar, commented, "During the second quarter, we adopted a more proactive marketing strategy to propel growth in revenue and to improve our store productivity. As a result, our average daily store traffic increased by eleven visits and same store sales grew by 8.6%, with fewer operating stores compared with the second quarter of 2012. While this promotional strategy has impacted our near-term gross margin and profitability, we believe the longer-term benefit of increased store traffic and participation in our loyalty programs will provide sustainable growth in margin over time and will ultimately enhance our competitiveness."

Second Quarter Results

During the second quarter of 2013, the Company opened 25 new stores and closed 48 stores. As of June 30, 2013, the Company had 2,071 directly operated stores in total.  

Revenue for the second quarter of 2013 increased by 3.4% to RMB638.8 million (US$104.1 million) from RMB617.6 million for the same period in 2012. Same store sales (for the 1,969 stores opened before December 31, 2011 and were still operating) for the second quarter of 2013 increased by 8.6% compared with the same period in 2012. The increase in same store sales was primarily due to promotional initiatives aimed at increasing store traffic.

Second quarter revenue contribution by product category was 22.3% from prescription drugs; 38.2% from over-the-counter ("OTC") drugs; 14.8% from nutritional supplements; 4.0% from herbal products; and 20.7% from convenience and other products.

Second quarter gross profit was RMB280.8 million (US$45.7 million), a slight decrease from RMB287.5 million for the same period in 2012. Gross margin in the second quarter of 2013 was 44.0% compared with 46.5% for the same period of 2012. This decrease in gross margin was primarily the result of a more proactive marketing strategy for promoting the convenience and other products category.

The Company's portfolio of private label products was expanded to 2,069 types of products as of June 30, 2013. Sales of private label products represented approximately 25.0% of the Company's revenue and 33.8% of gross profit for the second quarter of 2013.

Sales, marketing and other operating expenses, as a percentage of revenue, in the second quarter of 2013 decreased to 38.9% from 40.8% in the same period of 2012. This decrease was primarily due to growth in same store sales and closure of underperforming stores.  

General and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue in the current quarter was 4.6%, compared with 5.1% for the same period in 2012. This decrease was mainly due to the continued implementation of rigorous cost control measures.

During the second quarter, we recognized impairment loss of RMB 3.4 million, which represents the reduction of the carrying amount of the property and equipment of certain underperforming stores.

Loss from operations in the second quarter of 2013 was RMB1.0 million (US$0.2 million), compared with income from operations of RMB3.9 million in the same period in 2012. The loss from operations in the second quarter of 2013 was mainly due to lower gross margin and the impairment loss. Excluding the impairment charge, income from operations was RMB 2.3 million (US$0.4 million).

Interest income for the second quarter of 2013 was RMB4.2 million (US$0.7 million) compared with RMB3.9 million in the same period in 2012.

Dividend income from cost method investments was RMB0.4 million (US$0.1 million) in the second quarter of 2013, compared with RMB3.1 million in the same period of 2012. On December 28, 2012, the Company completed the sale of its entire 40% equity interests in Yunnan Jianzhijia Chain Drugstore Ltd. for a total cash consideration of approximately RMB 81.5 million. Equity in income of an equity method investee was nil in the second quarter of 2013, compared with a loss of RMB1.0 million in the same period in 2012.

The Company's effective tax rate was 208.0% for the second quarter of 2013, compared with 74.9% for the same period in 2012. The Company's income tax expense was RMB 7.5 million for the second quarter of 2013, compared with RMB 7.4 million for the same period in 2012. The amounts of income tax expense were stable compared with the same period last year, and the higher effective rate for the current quarter was mainly due to the effect of operating losses from certain of our loss-making subsidiaries, for which full valuation allowances were made on their deferred tax assets.

Net loss for the second quarter of 2013 was RMB3.9 million (US$0.6 million), which represented RMB0.04 (US$0.01) basic and diluted loss per ADS. Net income for the second quarter of 2012 was RMB2.5 million, which represented RMB0.02 basic and diluted earnings per ADS.

Net cash-flow from operating activities in the second quarter of 2013 was RMB14.6 million (US$2.4 million), compared with RMB30.2 million for the same period in 2012.

As of June 30, 2013, the Company's total cash, cash equivalents, bank deposits and restricted cash were RMB666.0 million (US$108.5 million) and its shareholders' equity was RMB1.03 billion (US$167.6 million). This compares with total cash, cash equivalents, bank deposits and restricted cash of RMB664.4 million and shareholders' equity of RMB1.03 billion as of December 31, 2012.

Business Outlook  

"Going forward, our focus remains on optimization of our product mix and maintaining momentum in store traffic and sales to stabilize and regain growth in margin and profitability," Mr. Zhang concluded. "Looking to the second half of the year, we expect same store sales and also the daily store traffic growth to continue."

Conference Call Information

The Company will host a conference call and a simultaneous webcast, on Thursday, August 29, 2013 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time / 8:00 p.m. Beijing Time. Interested parties may participate in the conference call by dialing in approximately five minutes before the appointed starting time at +1-877-407-9210 (North America) or +1-201-689-8049 (International). A live web cast of the conference call will be available on the Company's website at http://www.nepstar.cn.

A replay of the call will be available shortly after the conclusion of the conference call through September 5, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. An archived web cast of the conference call will be available on the Company's website at http://www.nepstar.cn. Interested parties may access the replay by dialing +1-877-660-6853 (North America) or +1-201-612-7415 (International) and entering conference ID number 419160.

About China Nepstar Chain Drugstore Ltd.                                                    

China Nepstar Chain Drugstore Ltd. (NYSE: NPD) is the largest retail drugstore chain in China based on the number of directly operated stores. As of June 30 2013, the Company had 2,071 stores across 75 cities, one headquarter distribution center and 16 regional distribution centers in China. Nepstar uses directly operated stores, centralized procurement and a network of distribution centers to provide its customers with high-quality, professional and convenient pharmaceutical products and services and a wide variety of other merchandise, including OTC drugs, nutritional supplements, herbal products, personal care products, family care products, and convenience products. Nepstar's strategy of centralized procurement, competitive pricing, customer loyalty programs and private label offerings has enabled it to capitalize on the continuing economic growth in China and to take advantage of the demographic trend in China to achieve a strong brand and leading market position. For further information, please go to http://www.nepstar.cn.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, the quotations from management in this press release and the Company's strategic operational plans and business outlook, contain forward-looking statements. Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law.

Exchange Rate Information

The United States dollar (US$) amounts disclosed in this press release are presented solely for the convenience of the reader. Translations of amounts from RMB into United States dollars were calculated at the certified exchange rate of US$1.00 = RMB6.1374 on June 28, 2013 as set forth in the H.10 weekly statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted into US$ at that rate on June 28, 2013, or at any other date. The percentages stated are calculated based on RMB amounts.

Contacts

Zixin Shao
China Nepstar Chain Drugstore Ltd.
Chief Financial Officer
+86-755-2641-4065
ir@nepstar.cn

Dixon Chen
Grayling
Investor Relations
+1-646-284-9403
dixon.chen@grayling.com

Ivette Almeida
Grayling 
Media Relations
+1-646-284-9455
ivette.almeida@grayling.com

Tables follow

China Nepstar Chain Drugstore Ltd.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
(amounts in thousands – except per-share and per-ADS data)
	Three-month period ended
	June 30,
	2012	2013	2013
	RMB	RMB	USD
Revenue	617,606	638,758	104,076
Cost of goods sold	(330,148)	(358,000)	(58,331)
Gross profit	287,458	280,758	45,745
Sales, marketing and other operating expenses	(252,289)	(248,719)	(40,525)
General and administrative expenses	(31,272)	(29,698)	(4,839)
Impairment losses	-	(3,380)	(551)
Income/(loss) from operations	3,897	(1,039)	(170)
Interest income	3,917	4,218	687
Dividend income from cost method investments	3,124	436	71
Equity in income of an equity method investee	(995)	-	-
Income before income tax expense	9,943	3,615	588
Income tax expense	(7,445)	(7,520)	(1,225)
Net income/(loss)	2,498	(3,905)	(637)
Basic earnings/(losses) per ordinary share	0.012	(0.020)	(0.003)
Basic earnings/(losses) per ADS	0.024	(0.040)	(0.006)
Diluted earnings/(losses) per ordinary share	0.012	(0.020)	(0.003)
Diluted earnings/(losses) per ADS	0.024	(0.040)	(0.006)
Net income/(loss)	2,498	(3,905)	(637)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(496)	(512)	(83)
Comprehensive income/(loss)	2,002	(4,417)	(720)

 

China Nepstar Chain Drugstore Ltd.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(amounts in thousands)
	As of		As of		As of
	December 31,		June 30,		June 30,
	2012		2013		2013
	RMB		RMB		USD
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	371,256		357,540		58,256
Short-term bank time deposits	237,100		272,440		44,390
Restricted cash	36,000		36,000		5,866
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	114,601		114,720		18,692
Amounts due from related parties	8,254		10,705		1,744
Prepaid expenses, deposits and other current assets	147,252		161,002		26,233
Inventories	478,483		452,514		73,731
Deferred tax assets	1,704		2,450		399
Total current assets	1,394,650		1,407,371		229,311
Non-current assets
Long-term bank time deposits	20,000		-		-
Property and equipment, net	120,237		114,643		18,679
Rental deposits	38,236		40,101		6,534
Cost method investments	12,638		12,638		2,059
Intangible assets, net	2,868		2,868		467
Goodwill	51,819		51,819		8,443
Deferred tax assets	3,056		7,500		1,223
Accrued interest income	507		-		-
Total non-current assets	249,361		229,569		37,405
Total assets	1,644,011		1,636,940		266,716
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	356,095		346,401		56,441
Bills payable	20,534		24,063		3,921
Amounts due to related parties	18,381		23,199		3,780
Accrued expenses and other payables	105,503		104,914		17,094
Income tax payable	40,967		29,805		4,856
Deferred income	14,327		17,355		2,828
Total current liabilities	555,807		545,737		88,920
Non-current liabilities
Deferred income	18,365		17,145		2,794
Deferred tax liabilities	7,499		7,695		1,254
Other non-current liabilities	36,237		37,700		6,142
Total non-current liabilities	62,101		62,540		10,190
Total liabilities	617,908		608,277		99,110
Shareholders' equity
Share capital	158		158		26
Additional paid-in capital	832,811		832,811		135,694
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(41,688)		(42,337)		(6,898)
Retained earnings	234,822		238,031		38,784
Total shareholders' equity	1,026,103		1,028,663		167,606
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,644,011		1,636,940		266,716

SOURCE China Nepstar Chain Drugstore Ltd.

RELATED LINKS
http://www.nepstar.cn

Source: www.prnewswire.com