July 26, 2023

Wistar-Led Team Awarded More Than $12 Million Grant from the NCI to Investigate Link Between Epstein-Barr Virus and Carcinomas

PHILADELPHIA, PA, July 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — It’s been known since the 1960s that Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) causes a variety of cancers, but research has overwhelmingly focused on its connection to lymphomas. Now, a multidisciplinary team of scientists led by The Wistar Institute has been awarded a more than $12 million National Cancer Institute (NCI) Program Project Grant (P01), a highly competitive five-year grant that includes a crosssection of researchers from various disciplines and institutions throughout the country. The multidisciplinary team led by Wistar scientists is exploring the role of Epstein-Barr Virus in epithelial cancers. Epithethelial cells form functional structures in organ tissue throughout the human body; they are often the site for solid organ cancers, including the most common cancers, which are known as carcinomas.

The new research will focus on basic questions about how EBV infection of normal epithelial cells transforms them into cancer-cells. Scientists also intend to build on this research to identify better and more selective therapeutic targets.

“We are investigating unexplored aspects of EBV and malignancies, potentially uncovering unique characteristics or pathways that can be targeted for therapeutic intervention,” said Italo Tempera, Ph.D., associate professor of the Gene Expression & Regulation Program of the Ellen and Ronald Caplan Cancer Center at The Wistar Institute. “This fresh perspective could lead to groundbreaking discoveries and innovative treatment strategies for EBV and epithelial malignancies.”

The project brings together scientists from The Wistar Institute and Harvard University, including experts in epigenetics, metabolomics and drug discovery. It’s the first time researchers from this variety of disciplines have combined their efforts to focus entirely on the EBV-epithelial cancer link.

“We’ve put together a new strategy, a new way of attacking the problem,” said Paul Lieberman, Ph.D., Hilary Koprowski, M.D., Endowed Professor and director of the Center for Chemical Biology and Translational Medicine at Wistar. “By working together across different modalities, there’s an opportunity for each of us to learn from the synergy and expertise of the other investigators.”

EBV is one of the most common human viruses, infecting an estimated 95% of people by the time they reach adulthood. Symptoms are usually mild, and most people recover within a few weeks. However, the virus can remain latent in the human body for years or even decades, and it causes some people to develop cancer later in life.

While research has historically focused on lymphomas, EBV-linked epithelial cancers are both more common and more deadly. Epithelial cancers represent 75% of the 200,000 EBV-related cancer cases diagnosed each year, and these cancers also have higher mortality rates and treatment failures.

“This grant put together a team that is now focused on this type of cancer that has been neglected, even though it’s the most common form of EBV cancers,” Lieberman said. The grant will fund three main research projects. The first will look at how EBV establishes a long-term infection within epithelial cells. The second will study how it causes genetic and metabolic changes to trigger cancer growth. Finally, researchers will use these findings to investigate new therapeutic strategies.

The research builds on past work by Lieberman’s lab, which has focused on developing small molecule inhibitors targeting EBV. He said the new project would focus on studying drugs that are already in development, and looking for ways to make them more targeted or use them in combination with other therapies.

Tempera said the group’s integrated approach sets it apart.“Our project will study both metabolic and epigenetic vulnerabilities simultaneously,” he said. “Combining these two aspects can provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of EBV infection in cancer and its underlying mechanisms, leading to unique insights and therapeutic opportunities.”

Co-authors: Ben Gewurz of Harvard; Joseph Salvino, Samantha Soldan, Andrew Kossenkov, Louise Showe, and Qin Liu of Wistar.

Darien Sutton
The Wistar Institute
215-870-2048
dsutton@wistar.org

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8881269

July 26, 2023

Hitachi Energy selected as preferred technology provider for the longest HVDC link in the UK

HVDC interconnection to secure power transmission and support new renewable electricity generation with the country’s largest electricity transmission project

Zurich, Switzerland, July 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hitachi Energy, a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all, today announced it has been selected as preferred technology provider of SSEN Transmission and National Grid, to supply two high-voltage direct current (HVDC) converter stations to interconnect the Scottish and English power grids.

The energy transition requires a collaborative effort that can only be achieved with advanced technologies and new ways of working. In appointing Hitachi Energy as their preferred technology provider, SSEN Transmission and National Grid secure best-in-class technology and future production capacity in a rapidly growing market. For Hitachi Energy, this enables investment in new production capacity and to undertake large-scale recruitment drives. It also strengthens collaboration, standardization of solutions, and synergies between projects.

The integration of renewables requires solutions that make the grid resilient, stable, and flexible. Hitachi Energy’s innovation and long development of voltage sourced converter (VSC) power electronics and control and protection (MACH) technologies meet the requirements alongside many other landmark grid integration projects.

Eastern Green Link 2 will consist of two 525-kilovolt (kV) bipole VSC converter stations connected by 440 kilometers of subsea cable and 70 kilometers of underground cable, making it the longest HVDC link in the UK. The link will efficiently supply a total of 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity, which is enough to power around two million UK homes.¹

The link will help to secure power transmission in the northern UK and support the integration of new renewable electricity generation in Scotland, as part of the UK’s Net Zero Strategy.² As much as 11,000 MW of offshore wind capacity is possible in Scottish waters by 2030³, and HVDC transmission will play a large part in bringing this vast amount of renewable power to shore and south, to communities across the country.

“The UK’s Net Zero Strategy has ambitious targets which will require vast amounts of new renewable generation. Electricity will be the backbone of the entire energy system,” said Niklas Persson, Managing Director at Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business. “Our pioneering HVDC technology will ensure that this electricity will reliably and efficiently get where it’s needed most.”

“This is another important milestone for EGL2 which is part of the new network infrastructure required to help the UK meet its net zero and energy security ambitions,” said Sarah Sale, Deputy Project Director of National Grid. “Along with cabling bidder and formal joint venture announcements, this is another key part of the project which is now in place and ready for the delivery phase. We look forward to working in collaboration with Hitachi Energy and BAM as the project continues to progress.”

“The converter stations at either end of the cable will play a crucial role in making the power transported subsea suitable for transportation around the onshore transmission network – getting Hitachi Energy and BAM in place to deliver that technology is great for the project,” said Ricky Saez, the EGL2 Project Director from SSEN Transmission.

“BAM is delighted to work in collaboration with Hitachi Energy on this vital renewable energy project for National Grid and SSEN Transmission,” said Huw Jones, Executive Director of BAM Nuttall. “The converter stations will enable the transmission of green energy from areas of offshore wind generation to centers of population, supporting the UK’s net zero ambitions and providing better energy security. We look forward to engaging with local communities and suppliers in Aberdeenshire and North Yorkshire, supporting BAM’s vision to deliver sustainable infrastructure for our clients, stakeholders, and the communities in which we work.”

Hitachi Energy is collaborating with BAM, a construction company that designs, builds, and maintains sustainable buildings and infrastructure, to provide the civil and installation scope for the project. The collaboration with BAM will leverage the core competencies of the two companies to deliver a best-in-class solution for the project.

Hitachi Energy pioneered commercial HVDC technology almost 70 years ago and has delivered more than half of the world’s HVDC projects.

1 https://www.nationalgrid.com/electricity-transmission/network-and-infrastructure/segl2
2 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/net-zero-strategy
3 https://www.gov.scot/publications/offshore-wind-policy-statement/
4 Modular Advanced Control for HVDC (MACH)

HVDC website:

https://www.hitachienergy.com/offering/product-and-system/hvdc

Photo captions:

North Sea Link Blyth Converter Station UK

Eastern Green Link 2

About Hitachi Energy
Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We serve customers in the utility, industry and infrastructure sectors with innovative solutions and services across the value chain. Together with customers and partners, we pioneer technologies and enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future. We are advancing the world’s energy system to become more sustainable, flexible and secure whilst balancing social, environmental and economic value. Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ around 40,000 people in 90 countries and generate business volumes of over $10 billion USD.
https://www.hitachienergy.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/hitachienergy
https://twitter.com/HitachiEnergy

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers’ and society’s challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products. Hitachi operates under the business structure of “Digital Systems & Services” – supporting our customers’ digital transformation; “Green Energy & Mobility” – contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railway systems, and “Connective Industries” – connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2022 (ended March 31, 2023) totaled 10,881.1 billion yen, with 696 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 320,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at https://www.hitachi.com.

Attachments

Jocelyn Chang
Hitachi Energy
jocelyn.chang@hitachienergy.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8881044

July 26, 2023

Limited Warehousing Facilities Hinder Investment,SMEs Growth

Industrialists have decried limited warehousing facilities in the country, saying they hurt investment and slowed the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Led by Chandaria Properties Founder and Managing Partner Darshan Chandaria, they said warehousing remains critical in the industry and called on entrepreneurs to exploit the gap. The Industrialists said the limited storage spaces, coupled with the high cost of establishing their own facilities, were a challenge to SMEs as they impeded investment and the growth of industries. Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony of the Link, a multi-million state-of-the-art SME warehousing and logistics park in Tatu City, Kiambu County On Tuesday, Mr. Chandaria said most SMEs have turned to long-term leasing of warehouse spaces as they lack the resources to own warehouses outright. He added that companies with high production capacities struggle with storage, thus the need for more investment in leased warehousing. ‘This is an area that needs to be exploited. Most SMEs cannot afford to put up their own spaces and turn to long-term space leasing programmes. Global companies too opt to lease warehouse spaces rather than put up their warehouses,’ said Chandaria. His sentiments were echoed by Tatu City Head of Sales David Karimi, who said with the fast growth of the city, a state-of-the art warehousing facility was needed to facilitate investment. More than 80 companies have set up shop on the over 5,000-acre piece of land. ‘Due to the hard economic times, quite a number of companies don’t want to construct their own warehousing and distribution centres. Due to this gap, we will provide long-term warehousing leasing to enable them to penetrate the market,’ said Karimi. The multi-million project that will be completed by the end of next year is a joint initiative between Tatu City Ltd., Chandaria Capital, Steel Structures, and MandT Construction. Kiambu County Trade and Investment CEC Nancy Gichung’wa said the establishment is a milestone in supporting SMEs as well as attracting industries in the County, adding that SMEs will be able to fix and store their wares as they prepare to export them. She noted that local farmers from the rich agricultural County will get cooling facilities for their perishable produce as they wait to go to market. Besides, she said, more youth will be employed in the industrial park, which currently has over 10,000 employees and more than 80 companies, both local and global. Tigoni MCA and Kiambu County Assembly Trade Committee Chair Patrick Ngaria said, ‘This is a milestone for SMEs. It will also save farmers from post-harvest losses and motivate them to farm more.’ Other companies in Tatu City include Kenya Wines, Kopier, Dorman, and Twiga Foods, among many others.

Source: Kenya News Agency

July 26, 2023

Enforcement Officers Advised To Familiarise With Bylaws

Officers from the County Inspectorate Unit have been advised of the urgent need to familiarise themselves with the existing county bylaws in order to avoid finding themselves in collision with the public. Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, while opening a two-day training workshop for the county law officers, said every officer should ensure he has read and understood all the 22 county bylaws before executing any arrest, as doing so oblivious to the rights of individuals may lead to unnecessary litigation battles. He similarly said the officers will soon be taken through an individual evaluation exercise to determine how suitable they are at their individual workstations as part of continuous service improvement to the public. ‘How can an officer enforce bylaws which he or she has never read?’ posed Mutahi. ‘Nyeri County has 22 acts ranging from the control and licencing of liquor to revenue collection from business operators. But you must be well conversant with these laws before you go out to enforce them. You must know which bylaw you are enforcing before going out to close down that liquor joint or that business premises, for that matter, or end up embarrassing yourself when a business operator demands to know which law you are invoking in enforcing your mandate as an officer,’ he told the officers. Among the areas the officers will be trained on are investigation and prosecution, mental health awareness, stress management, and complaint handling mechanisms. In addition, the enforcement officers will be sensitised on the need to acquaint themselves with organisation culture, communication skills, and teamwork, curb corruption, and steer away from alcohol and substance abuse. Kahiga also emphasised the need for the officers to conduct themselves with decorum and professionalism while on their day-to-day operations, noting that the department has on many occasions been tainted due to the actions of a few rogue officers. To this end, the governor promised to continue improving their working conditions through frequent retooling workshops and looking into enhancing their employment terms through promotions. ‘We as the enforcement officers must be able to earn respect from the touts making noise in the streets, from that woman doing her business, and from that casual working at a construction site but who is not a professional mason. From our end, we must conduct ourselves with decorum and respect for others so that we may earn their respect,’ he stressed. The two-day workshop which is taking place at the Culture Centre will officially close tomorrow. Others present included CECs Peter Macharia (County Public Service), Simon Gachunia (Lands), Joseph Kiragu (Health), James Wachihi (Agriculture), Abdi Hanif (Transport), and Esther Ndung’u (Gender). Also in attendance were County Secretary Ben Gachichio, Chief of Staff Paul Wambugu, and MCAs Simon Mbogo (Rware) and Gibson Wahinya (Dedan Kimathi).

Source: Kenya News Agency

July 26, 2023

Child Succumbs In A Chang’aa Container

A 2-year-old child died after drowning in a chang’aa container on Monday at the Kaisagat location in West Pokot Sub County. Confirming the incident, area Sub County Police Commander Kipkemoi Kirui said information reached their office from the area chief, who acted immediately after residents raised an alarm. Kirui said the chang’aa container had been hidden underground in a maize plantation, and the child unexpectedly dropped in while playing with other children. ‘The reports we have indicate that the child dropped into a container full of chang’aa and drowned in it. The brewers had hidden the illicit liquor in the maize plantation because intensive crackdowns have been conducted in the region to stamp out illicit brewing,’ he said. The police commander said the parents of the child have disappeared into thin air after the incident, and police are pursuing them to aid in the ongoing investigations. ‘The parents have gone missing, but we are in pursuit of them so that legal measures are taken against them,’ he said. The commander noted that police have been carrying out intensive illicit brew crackdowns, so brewers have devised cryptic ways of hiding the brews, including in very risky places. ‘Brewers are now hiding their brews in dangerous places, leading to injuries and even the deaths of innocent souls like this child,’ stated Kirui, who expressed regret at the loss of life of such an innocent soul. He has urged the community to completely abandon such illegal businesses and embark on productive ventures beneficial to all residents to help the community grow. ‘Illicit brews have caused insurmountable harm to our communities, especially the youth, who ought to spend their energy on building the nation. There are numerous business opportunities that are legally sound and can help individuals as well as the community grow,’ he said.

Source: Kenya News Agency

July 26, 2023

Two Arrested In Connection With Drug Theft In Baringo

Police officers in Baringo Central have arrested two people found stealing assorted drugs and medical supplies of unknown value from Baringo County Referral Hospital in Kabarnet town. The suspects, an officer and an accomplice, were nabbed by security guards manning the referral hospital on Monday at around midnight while trying to stuff drugs into one of their bags. The County Referral Medical Superintendent, Dr. Gerishom Abakalwa, who confirmed the incident, said that the hospital management had set a trap for them after receiving numerous reports of missing drugs at the facility, especially at night. Abakalwa said that for the past one week, they have been surveying the hospital day and night following reports that some staff were colluding with strangers to steal drugs. The Medical Superintendent, flanked by county executive committee member (CECM) for Health Dr. Solomon Sirma, said the security officers had earlier communicated that a stranger usually accompanied the medical practitioner at night and left early in the morning with a bag full of unknown things. He said during the fateful day, the security officers requested the stranger to check his bag and were surprised to find drugs stuffed inside. They immediately alerted officers from Kabarnet police station, who rushed to the facility where they arrested the two. ‘We just want the law to take its course so that the hospital gets value for what the people of Baringo have invested in their hospital,’ the Medical Superintendent said. Sirma, in his remarks, lauded the hospital management for a job well done in nabbing the suspects, whom he said have reached their 40 days. He said his department will not condone such people and is awaiting a conclusive investigation from the police before taking action against the said officer. The Health CEC noted that services at the facility have been lacking for the past eight years but promised to turn it around with the support of other stakeholders. Sirma said the hospital, which has only 12 specialised medics, has its fair share of challenges, which have prompted the referral of patients to other towns like Iten and Eldoret, but they are currently documenting them so that they can find workable solutions. County Police Commander Julius Kiragu confirmed apprehending the two suspects: a doctor on duty and the other one, who sometimes worked in the hospital as an intern. Kiragu told the press in his Kabarnet office that when the arresting officers escorted the intern to his house, they recovered assorted drugs and medical supplies. He said the two suspects will be arraigned in court on Wednesday to face charges of theft.

Source: Kenya News Agency