UK research: grape seed extract holds promise as anti-cancer agent
A leukemia study, published in the January issue of Clinical Cancer Research, focused on anthocyanidins, a class of compounds that lend grapes their color and are part of vines' natural defenses, reports Wine Spectator magazine. Previous research has found that anthocyanidins selectively eradicate leukemia cells. But the latest research from the University of Kentucky uncovered a mechanism that may explain why anthocyanidin-rich grape seed extract could be an effective cancer cell killer. According to Xianglin Shi, a professor at UK's Graduate Center for Toxicology and the study's lead author, the extract activates proteins inside of cancer cells that are responsible for regulating the cells' life cycle.
The researchers exposed leukemia cells in cultures to various doses of a commercially available grape seed extract. After being exposed to the most effective dosage for 24 hours, 76 percent of the leukemia cells self-destructed in a form of programmed cell death known as apoptosis. The cause of apoptosis was the activation of a protein, called JNK.
"These results could have implications for the incorporation of agents such as grape seed extract into prevention or treatment of hematological malignancies and possibly other cancers," said Shi. However, Shi warned that it is unclear if ingesting grapes or wine could provide a similar result, and added that apple skins also contain relatively high levels of anthocyanidins. "This is very promising research," he said. "But it is too early to say this is chemo-protective."
Billions available for high-risk R&D and product development
A program credited with seeding some of central Kentucky's most promising high-tech companies is offering assistance in obtaining nearly $2.5 billion in federal grants available to small firms engaged in high-risk research and development and product development projects.
A SBIR/STTR proposal preparation workshop was held in Lexington on Feb. 5. Additional events are scheduled for February 17-18 in Louisville and March 26 in Lexington. These events are designed to assist in improving content quality in order to meet agency-specific requirements and avoid rejection without review.
The workshop series was organized by the Kentucky Science and Engineering Foundation and the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation and is sponsored by Commerce Lexington, the University of Louisville and Western Kentucky University.
Online registration is required. Agendas for each event and online registration are available at: ksef.kstc.com.
Former downtown Radisson to undergo $13M renovation
The Lexington Downtown Hotel and Conference Center is about to begin renovations needed to officially become a Hilton hotel. The $13 million renovation and rebranding is slated to begin this spring and should be finished by the end of 2009, according to a release from the hotel's parent companies Madison W Properties and Interstate Hotels & Resorts.
The renovation will follow a design motif that incorporates the Bluegrass area throughout common areas and the guest rooms. The lobby will have new registration desks and Madison W Properties President Peter C. Lewis said they are working on commissioning local artists for the most visible areas of the lobby.
The Bluegrass theme will be extended in guestrooms with white headboards in the style of horse farm fences. The rooms' furniture and bathrooms will be modernized and large flat panel LCD televisions will be in each guestroom.
The Lexington Downtown Hotel and Conference Center's announcement comes on the heels of renovations being completed at two other large Lexington hotels, a $5.9 million renovation finished this week at the Double Tree Guest Suites at Richmond Road and New Circle and an $18 million renovation across the street from the future Hilton at the Hyatt Regency completed late last year.
Mayor appoints economic stimulus commission
Lexington mayor Jim Newberry has established the Mayor's Commission on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan. Its purpose is to pinpoint how to make the most of any federal funding Lexington might receive through a plan President Obama is designing to stimulate the economy and create jobs.
At the request of the Obama transition team, Newberry and other community leaders compiled a list of local projects and submitted them for funding, as did communities across the country. Lexington's list included 196 projects totaling $556 million.
Although he said he may appoint other members, the initial 17 appointees include Jim Newberry, Chair; City Senior Adviser Joe Kelly; Acting Commissioner of Public Works Mike Webb; Commissioner of Environmental Quality Cheryl Taylor; Commissioner of Finance and Administration Kyna Koch; Public Safety Commissioner Tim Bennett; Vice Mayor Jim Gray; 11th District Councilmember Peggy Henson; 6th District Councilmember Kevin Stinnett; and12th District Councilmember Ed Lane.
Appointees from the community include 79th District State Rep. Susan Westrom; 88th District State Rep. Bill Farmer; Commerce Lexington Vice President for Community and Minority Business Development Tyrone Tyra; Urban League Administrator of Development David Cozart; Executive Director of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Housing Authority Austin Simms; University of Kentucky Director of Community Relations Lisa Higgins-Hord; and United Way President Kathy Plomin.
LexArts in talks with Central Christian Church on music space
Music development and performance may soon have a new home in downtown Lexington.
Central Christian Church is in talks with LexArts on a long-term lease of the Womwell Building, an adjacent 26,000-square-foot property purchased by the church in 2002.
In a note to congregants, Senior Minister Michael Mooty said LexArts has received a $1 million matching grant from the Lucille Little Foundation to begin renovations, with plans to house the Music Institute and the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra.
Rev. Mooty noted, "Central's relationship with Lexington's arts community, particularly its music community, is deep and wide. The utilization of this property by LexArts will only strengthen that relationship and put Central at the heart of much of what happens in the music life of our city. I envision our new facility and sanctuary being used as recital and performance space, not only by the Central Music Academy, but by the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra and other LexArts groups. With the proposed renovation of the Lyric Theater, we could well find ourselves in the center of an emerging arts district."
Rev. Mooty's January 21 note suggested that a lease could be executed within weeks.
Windstream launches "Green Truck" school support tour
Windstream will give public schools in the phone company's service area the chance to win up to $200,000 for new technology and computer labs. The program, called Classroom Connections, is being launched as part of Windstream's 2009 Green Truck Tour, which the company uses to give customers hands-on interaction with its phone, high-speed Internet, and digital TV products.
All public and public charter schools in Windstream's 16-state service area are encouraged to apply for the Classroom Connections donation. Eight $25,000 donations will be made. Only one school in each school district may receive a donation. A complete overview of the Classroom Connections program can be found online at www.greentrucktour.com/classroom. Schools must apply online and are required to submit a video demonstrating need for the donation. The deadline to apply is March 12.
Applications will be reviewed by a panel of judges including Windstream executives and outside leaders in the technology and education industries chosen by Windstream. The eight schools selected to receive donations will be announced in May. The selected schools must make the technology upgrades by Sept. 15, 2009.
"Off the Rack" provides business attire for Hope Center clientele
In these times of astounding job losses, the Lexington Urban League Young Professionals is encouraging Lexington residents to help others by donating to the Off the Rack project. LULYP is accepting all-season business attire such as: suits, sweaters, blouses, dress shirts, skirts, slacks, and accessories. Donations can be made through February 28 at the following Community Trust Bank locations: Beaumont Centre, Hamburg, Leestown, and Vine Street.
The aim of the project is to provide the homeless with the tools they need to make it easier for them to re-enter the workforce.
The Hope Center provides emergency shelter, food and clothing 365 days a year to help the homeless and those with addiction and mental health issues, get off the street and stay off the street. To meet those needs, the Hope Center has programs that deal with recovery from addiction (for men and women), mental health issues, employment assistance, transitional housing, social services, a free health clinic and the Hope Mobile. The Hope Center provides more than 29,000 meals, 10,000 nights of lodging, 700 healthcare services and 3,000 articles of clothing each month.
For more information about Off the Rack, please contact Alexis Witherspoon at (859)825-8588 or lulypofftherack@gmail.com.