How people are testing for TMAU with MEBO and Eliapharma

MEBO INTERNATIONAL TESTING PROGRAM

Update 9

Up until last week, MEBO Research and Eliapharma Services were shipping kits and receiving samples domestically within Canada, since Eliapharma Services is in Quebec, Canada, and today, we are working on shipments across the two oceans! As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I have been learning the complicated ins and outs of shipping biological goods (urine)internationally. Each country is different, and the Harmonized Codes are different inbound and outbound to each country, since the kits leave without biological good and return to Canada with biological goods (human urine).

FIRST INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENTS ARRIVED AT LAB :
To play it safe, our first attempt at international shipping was to the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement countries (NAFTA), which includes Canada, United States, and Mexico. Well, our first 3 international kits arrived at the lab on Friday, 25FEB11. The first shipment arrival of three kits in Montreal-Maribel International Airport presented the opportunity to get to know our Canadian Broker and for Canadian Customs to get to know the MEBO-Eliapharma testing/research program. They recommended I make minor adjustments to my documentation, and it will be “green light” from now on.

SOON TO REACH OUR GOAL FOR 1ST TEST BATCH :
I have sent return Air Waybills (shipping labels), Commercial Invoices, and some NAFTA Certificates of Origin to 13 people last night that would be returning a total of 20 samples. In addition to the 12 specimens we already have in the lab, this would make a total of 32 samples, if everyone turns in their kits to FedEx by Tuesday, 08March, a week from tomorrow. Even though the lab says that they will wait to have 30 samples before running the test, we have been told that as soon as we receive all the kits shipped by March 8th, with a minimum of 20-25 samples, Eliapharma will run the test of the first batch with results forthcoming the following week.

Once the results are available, the persons testing will receive their individual results of either Primary TMAU, Secondary, TMAU, or negative for TMAU. MEBO and Eliapharma will then do all possible to assist persons with positive results to provide as much information as possible to their physician in order to assist in their treatment for odor-management. Hopefully, this effort will not only support the odor-management of the individual involved, but will also raise awareness and hopefully promote dialogue in the medical/scientific community.

HOW PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TESTING :

Many people have decided to take advantage of the very reasonable rate of a one-sample test opportunity, while others have taken advantage of the low shipping cost that allows for more than one sample per kit. A significant amount of people have decided to test using 2 to 3 samples for one person, and while one of their samples involves the customary choline load, some have attempted to use their second and third samples to make sense of and to identify their odor's primary triggers, to attempt to determine how their odor may fluctuate with different types of foods, or simply to understand why others have reacted adversely to them, presumably detecting odor, when the sufferer and/or family members did not detect any odor, etc. Using professional literature as a source of reference, some have used the following procedures to prepare for their second and third sample collection:

1. Choline load protocol for collecting only one sample is found in the Test Kit Instruction Forms, Condensed version, and Expanded version.


2. For persons doing 2 samples, after having been on a low-choline diet for a long time, collecting one sample BEFORE starting the choline load, and the second sample after consuming a very high choline load for a few days, to compare the results.


3. For those doing three tests, they have had the opportunity to be more creative in their quest for self-awareness. Some tested the Three main protocols of TMAU diet, as discussed in the strategies for the treatment of trimethylaminuria:

• Trimethylaminuria, Fish Odor Syndrome, TMAuria, TMAU [Phillips and Shephard 2007] in the Management Section of Summary of this article,
  

  
  Treatment of manifestations: dietary restriction of: (1) trimethylamine (present in milk obtained from wheat-fed cows) and its precursors including choline (present in eggs, liver, kidney, peas, beans, peanuts, soya products, and brassicas [Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower]), lecithin and lecithin-containing fish oil supplements, (2) trimethylamine N-oxide (present in seafood [fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans]), (3) inhibitors of FMO3 enzyme activity such as indoles (found in brassicas);
  



• In vitro and in vivo inhibition of human flavin-containing monooxygenase form 3 (FMO3) in the presence of dietary indoles [Cashman et al 1999]


• and discussed in GeneReviews, US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, and "Diagnosis and Management of trimethylaminuria (FMO3 deficiency) in children" "best-practice" diagnostic guidelines [Chalmers et al 2006]

The persons who decided to test how these theories applied to their own bodies did so by first doing the high choline diet using the chart linked to in MEBO’s Blog (right sidebar) making sure not to consume TMA-rich foods for a few days, then taking the first urine sample, followed by a cleansing protocol and cardiovascular exercise.

The second urine sample followed the consumption of TMA-rich foods ( fish, lobster, shrimp, tuna salad [without eggs], or any other seafood) while maintaining a very low choline diet, followed by another cleansing protocol.

The third sample consists of eating brassicas/indoles for a day or two followed by the third urine collection.

It will be very interesting to see the outcome of the various strategies sufferers have decided to do. Some people can be very creative in their efforts to better understand their body’s production of odor. There will be much discussion amongst ourselves in the forums and meetups and with experts as we go learning about ourselves, while ALWAYS UPHOLDING AND PROTECTING THE PRIVACY OF EACH PERSON TESTING, as agreed upon in the disclosure section of the MEBO-Eliapharma Trimethylaminuria Urine Test Requisition and Disclosures Form.

And this is only the beginning! This is how people have been testing; and soon, everyone around the globe will have the same opportunity to be creative and test for themselves all the theories published by experts to see how it applies to each one individually. Looking forward to many discoveries ahead!

EXPANDING AROUND THE GLOBE!
At this time, we still have people in Asia, Australia, Central, and South America, and Europe still on the waitlist, VERY PATIENTLY waiting for me to get all the shipping documentation details required from their respective countries. Since I’m basically a perfectionist in these matters because I understand the importance it represents to each person testing, I prefer not to rush through this process, and truly appreciate the kind patience of everyone involved. It is becoming easier as I progress in this venture, and things should be advancing faster as we go along.

I want to thank everyone who has participated in our new Public Charity’s MEBO TESTING PROGRAM, as we move forward in leaps and bounds to find answers and solutions for ourselves and our children!

María

If you would like to test in our
MEBO International TMAU Testing Program,
please fill out the following,

MEBO-Eliapharma TMAU Test Requisition/Survey Form

María de la Torre
President and Executive Director

www.meboresearch.org
maria.delatorre@meboresearch.org
MEBO's Blog (English)
El Blog de MEBO (español)

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NORD TMAU Fund reaches it's trigger point of $33,500 !!!

NORD TMAU Fund target reached

Regular readers will be aware that the community has been donating to the NORD TMAU Fund, especially over the last year thanks to the team at rrr-tmau.org who got a campaign going since October 2009, to get the fund to the trigger point for research proposals. The trigger point is $33,500 and the ladies at www.rrr-tmau.org now happily announce the target is reached !! It was their campaigning that got the fund from a slow pace of around $7,000 to this amount in less than 18 months.

The last reported total for the fund is $33,911
Any money donated up until around the 2nd week of March will be added to the fund

In the 3rd week of March a request for research proposals will be made public, and will appear on the updated version of this page
http://www.rarediseases.org/research/requests

The funding is regarded as 'seed' money, and may lead to bigger grants. Judging by NORD's grant cycle, Abstracts or Letters of intent from researchers will likely have a deadline of around mid-May, with the winners likely being announced around September/October

You can read more about the success of rrr-tmau.org's fundraising on their website : www.rrr-tmau.org
A great example of what the community can achieve.

Reserving your suite for Washington DC Meetup

Slideshow best seen on 720p HD full screen

If you have already booked your Suite at the Embassy Suites,
please call them and make sure they have the
Booking Group/Convention Code: MER
There is a certain amount of rooms we need to reserve in order for our no advance purchase and fully refundable rate to apply.

MEBO's Annual Meetup at Washington DC on April 9th and 10th is for the whole community, even though the webpage created by Embassy Suites has called it “MEBO Research Board of Directors Meeting.” I am not certain why they chose to call it that. Perhaps it’s because since Glenna, who found the site for us and visited it to make sure it suits our needs, is the Director of Public Relations for MEBO, and then I negotiated the rates and signed the contract with Embassy Suites, they assumed that this would be the appropriate name. However, the hotel has set aside suites for all members, not just members of the Board of Directors.

Everyone is invited, and encouraged to make reservations as soon as possible guaranteeing the low rate with a credit card, even though funds will not be held in your card account, and charges won’t be made until checkout at the end of the meetup.

I hope you enjoy this slide show of the sights I hope we can visit, and one of our members has volunteered to try to set up a private tour of the White House for us on Saturday before our conference meeting. More information on these arrangements will be forthcoming as they are finalized.

I look forward to sharing these very memorable experiences with as many people from our international community as possible. See you there!

María

María de la Torre
President and Executive Director

www.meboresearch.org
maria.delatorre@meboresearch.org
MEBO's Blog (English)
El Blog de MEBO (español)

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Only 32 days to book your suite for the Washington DC Meetup

MEBO 2nd Annual Meetup at Washington DC

Update 4

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS BEFORE THE DEADLINE FOR THE MEBO RATES, WHICH IS ON MARCH 18TH. YOU CAN HOLD YOUR RESERVATION WITH A CREDIT CARD, AND YOUR CARD WILL NOT BE CHARGED UNTIL YOU CHECK OUT AFTER YOUR STAY.

MEBO Research is holding our second annual meetup in the US, and this year it will be in Washington DC on April 9th and 10th, 2011 at the Embassy Suites, Dulles Airport.

As previously posted in this blog,
THE DULLES AIRPORT EMBASSY SUITES has created a webpage especially for MEBO Research's annual meetup to facilitate our reservations process!

WE ONLY HAVE 32 DAYS LEFT TO MAKE RESERVATION AT MEBO'S RATES

On this webpage you can see all the hotel and booking details, such as the special rates offered to MEBO members and guests for our meetup, the applicable Check-in dates, booking deadline, Tour Hotel, Maps, Directions, Amenities, and sites to visit in the area. Most importantly, making reservations for our group rate is only a click away.

Room rates include :

• Complimentary daily full breakfast per person,
• Complimentary daily 2-hour Manager's Reception, serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and snacks
• Complimentary Dulles Airport shuttle,
• Free self-parking.

NOTE: MEBO's group rate of $89/night are for single, double, triple, and quad occupancy, as stated in the contract I signed with the hotel, so you can share the room cost with a roommate or more, even though the Terms and Conditions state, "Rates published are for single occupancy. An extra person charge per person may apply for 2 or more guests sharing the same guestroom," :

Room	Single Rate	Double Rate	Triple Rate	Quad Rate
Run of House	$89.00	$89.00	$89.00	$89.00

Please read the terms and conditions carefully for information on the multiple taxes imposed on this rate. You can guarantee your room at any time with a credit card, which will not be charged until checkout time after your stay. Inf you wish to cancel your reservation, you would need to do so 24 hours before arrival to avoid cancellation penalties. There is also a fee for early departure.

AGENDA

We have so many new topics of discussion on our first day, Saturday, April 9th, including MEBO's new International TMAU Test Program, new testing opportunities in Europe, presentation on Bromhidrosis and discussion on Dr. John Cashman's interview, MEBO's aims as a now new Public Charity, and more. We will have plenty of time for socializing for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and during our daily 2-hour Manager's Reception serving complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and snacks.

On the second day, Sunday, April 10th, we can take the nearby Metro and go to the Washington DC Mall, and enjoy all the beautiful sights of this nation's capital. Depending on the weather, we can begin with outdoor activities by visiting the famous Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam, Korean, and World War II Memorials, and then walk our way down to the Washington Monument and further to the Capital Building. There are three Metro Stations in this long 1 mile outdoor "Mall" that we can take to avoid too much walking. If the weather is not great that day, we can always go into any of the Smithsonian Institute Museum buildings that line both sides of this Mall, such as the Air and Space Museum, Natural History Museum, American History Museum, and more. There's plenty to chose from to do once we're there.

Hope to meet so many of you personally! I hope all of you can come. It would most certainly be a wonderful experience.

María de la Torre
President and Executive Director

www.meboresearch.org
maria.delatorre@meboresearch.org
MEBO's Blog (English)
El Blog de MEBO (español)

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Deeply discounted FedEx Country to Country rates for MEBO

MEBO INTERNATIONAL TESTING PROGRAM

Update 8

It's been a long cold winter, so let's warm up a little with pictures I took at Miami Beach this past weekend (and one from Cabo San Lucas, MX), as we read the latest update of our MEBO International TMAU Test Program

Deeply discounted
FedEx Country to Country rates for MEBO Research

Since we need the specimen to arrive frozen to the lab, FedEx has granted deeply discounted rated (45% discount of net rate) to MEBO Research off their International Priority Service (1 to 2 Business day shipping to/from the countries they have service to). This means that a kit could arrive to the lab in Eastern Canada from Hong Kong, for example in one to two business days for only $49.43 USD for one way shipping. According to the Canada Post online website, International Priority Worldwide Pak one way shipping alone would be $87.60 Canadian dollars (which at the current rate of exchange is almost equivalent to the US dollar).

To ship the kit from Honolulu to the lab in Eastern Canada (with one to two Business Days Service), the rate could be $23.65 one way. The only small variable in all cases would be a small fluctuation of fuel surcharge amount, the same as we experience in the gas pumps.

Testing momentum began picking up slowly but surely
We faced many obstacles as MEBO Research and Eliapharma attempted to launch our International TMAU Test Program. There were permits to import Biological Agents (urine) into Canada and Certificates of Origin for each item in the kit, with special attention to importing/exporting a chemical, HCl, etc. I was diligently negotiating rates with FedEx and receiving a great deal of training on shipping to so many countries that we expected to ship to. Then when we were almost ready to begin shipping, the holidays came, FedEx and most major shipping carriers increased their net rates across the board, I became very ill for a long time, the snow storms paralyzed most of North America, and it took FedEx some time to manually upload the great Country to Country rates they offered us.

Initially shipping only within Canada
In an attempt to get things rolling, we began shipping only domestically within Canada. The first three (3) shipments were on December 22nd, and the following four (4) on January 18, 2011. It was very successful, since we didn’t have to be concerned with Customs documentation.

Began shipping Internationally to the United States
Then one glorious day, on February 1, 2011, the FedEx rates manual upload had been completed. As part of our International expansion efforts, we did our first 6 international shipments with a total of 9 samples on Wednesday of last week, February 2, 2011, to a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) country, the United States, with success clearing Customs.

This week, we have a shipment of 9 kits, which include 13 samples scheduled for FedEx pickup tomorrow to be shipped to the US, and we expect the same positive results. In total, we would have shipped 19 kits with 32 samples to Canada and the United States.

MEBO submits all the orders to the lab by Wednesday evenings, so the lab prepares kits on Thursday for weekly early Friday morning shipments.

Our next stage of development of MEBO’s International TMAU Test Program is to expand to the third NAFTA country, Mexico, and to other countries as well, possibly one country at a time according to the order in which I receive the applications and payments.

I will now be sending and invoice with the new rates to the remaining people on the waitlist, without any obligation, that might have received a shipping rates quote before the deeply discounted rates were uploaded. Please keep in mind that the fuel surcharges fluctuate and that the rates are always subject to change until purchased.


WE’RE ON A ROLL!
Since we are getting so many requests for kits to be shipped, the Canadian lab, Eliapharma Services Inc., has requested that MEBO submit all the orders to the lab by Wednesday evenings, so the lab can prepare the kits on Thursday for the weekly early Friday morning shipments. Therefore, any payments I receive on a Thursday through Wednesday will go towards the next Friday shipments.

Thanks to all the participants who have patiently supported our efforts.

María

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If you would like to test in our
MEBO International TMAU Testing Program,
please fill out the following,

MEBO-Eliapharma TMAU Test Requisition/Survey Form

María de la Torre
President and Executive Director
MEBO Research
maria.delatorre@meboresearch.org
www.meboresearch.org

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New review of FAD-dependent enzymes including FMO3

Readers will know that published TMAU papers are very rare but it seems there is slightly more interest in the enzyme that causes genetic TMAU, that is enzyme FMO3. FMO3 is probably involved in many drug metabolizing processes, but currently seems to be overlooked by the pharma industry. This new review is written by a researcher at a smaller pharma company based in Belgium. Only the abstract is free to view. FMO3 is dependent on flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), which it gets from modifying riboflavin (vitamin B2). This is why taking B2 is sometimes suggested for those with genetic TMAU to see if it can stimulate any residual FMO3. Whether it is effective in any cases or at all is not known.

There are quite a few FAD dependent enzymes that oxidize compounds, which this article elaborates on. Most of these articles are greatly involved in detoxifying or activating compounds in the body and are especially present in the liver. The group of CYP enzymes (which are not FAD dependent, and depend on a niacin derivative)are usually regarded the important toxin/activation oxidizing 'players', so it is nice to see FMO3 get a mention.

Ann Pharm Fr. 2011
FAD-dependent enzymes involved in the metabolic oxidation of xenobiotics.
Strolin Benedetti M.

UCB Pharma SA, 420, rue d'Estienne-d'Orves, 92705 Colombes, France.
Abstract

Although the majority of oxidative metabolic reactions are mediated by the CYP superfamily of enzymes, non-CYP-mediated oxidative reactions can play an important role in the metabolism of xenobiotics. Among the major oxidative enzymes, other than CYPs, involved in the oxidative metabolism of drugs and other xenobiotics, the flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs), the molybdenum hydroxylases [aldehyde oxidase (AO) and xanthine oxidase (XO)] and the FAD-dependent amine oxidases [monoamine oxidases (MAOs) and polyamine oxidases (PAOs)] are discussed in this minireview. In a similar manner to CYPs, these oxidative enzymes can also produce therapeutically active metabolites and reactive/toxic metabolites, modulate the efficacy of therapeutically active drugs or contribute to detoxification. Many of them have been shown to be important in endobiotic metabolism (e.g. XO, MAOs), and, consequently, interactions between drugs and endogenous compounds might occur when they are involved in drug metabolism. In general, most non-CYP oxidative enzymes (e.g. FMOs, MAOs) appear to be noninducible or much less inducible than the CYP system. Some of these oxidative enzymes exhibit polymorphic expression, as do some CYPs (e.g. FMO3). It is possible that the contribution of non-CYP oxidative enzymes to the overall metabolism of xenobiotics is underestimated, as most investigations of drug metabolism have been performed using experimental conditions optimised for CYP activity, although in some cases the involvement of non-CYP oxidative enzymes in xenobiotic metabolism has been inferred from not sufficient experimental evidence.

Abstract on Pubmed

Cilantro Ingredient Can Remove Foul Odor of 'Chitlins'

A group of Japanese researchers recently published about the deodorizing effect of the herb cilantro (sometimes known as coriander) on the savory dish of 'chitlins'. They analyzed the volatile compounds in cilantro to see which seemed to have the most deodorizing effect, and concluded that "(E,E)-2,4-undecadienal was the most effective deodorizing compound", and did so at miniscule amounts of 10 parts per billion. Chitlins is made from porcine gut, and the smell is said to smell of the waste content in the porcine gut.

Identification of (E,E)-2,4-Undecadienal from Coriander ( Coriandrum sativum L.) as a Highly Effective Deodorant Compound against the Offensive Odor of Porcine Large Intestine.
Abstract here
Ikeura H, Kohara K, Li XX, Kobayashi F, Hayata Y.
Oct 2010

School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa 214-8571, Japan.
Abstract
The leaves of coriander ( Coriandrum sativum L.) exhibited a strong deodorizing effect against porcine internal organs (large intestine). The effective deodorizing compounds of coriander were identified by separating the volatile component of coriander, testing the effectiveness of each fraction against the offensive odor of porcine large intestine, and then identifying the compounds by GC-MS. The volatile component of coriander was first separated into six fractions (A-F) by preparative gas chromatography, and the deodorizing activity of each of these fractions against the offensive odor was measured. Fraction D, which showed the strongest deodorizing effect, was then separated into 12 subfractions by preparative GC. The deodorant activity of each subfraction was evaluated, and the deodorant compounds were identified by GC-MS. It was discovered that (E,E)-2,4-undecadienal was the most effective deodorizing compound. The deodorizing activity of (E,E)-2,4-undecadienal on the porcine large intestine increased as with concentration, reaching almost complete deodorizing ability at 10 ppb.

Deodorizing is a standard part of the Trimethylaminuria (TMAU) protocol, usually done by neutralizing the volatile free trimethylamine as best as possible, rather than masking. The 2 main ways recommended to do this are by using gut adsorbents that bind to the TMA in the gut (such as charcoal and chloryphyll) and to use acidic soaps that offset the alkaline TMA, making it into a salt. It is not clear if the researchers are claiming cilantro has a neutralizing effect, rather than being a masking agent. For TMAU it would also need to be checked that there were no complications with cilantro, such as it's choline content or being an FMO3 enzyme inhibitor.

From the NIH TMAU article :
Use of acid soaps and body lotions. Trimethylamine is a strong base (pKa 9.8). Thus, at pH 6.0, less than 0.02% of trimethylamine exists as the volatile free base. The use of soaps and body lotions with a pH close to that of normal skin (pH 5.5-6.5) helps retain secreted trimethylamine in a less volatile salt form that can be removed by washing.

Sequestering of trimethylamine produced in the gut. When taken as dietary supplements, activated charcoal (750 mg twice daily for ten days) and copper chlorophyllin (60 mg three times a day after meals for three weeks) decrease the concentration of free trimethylamine in the urine.

Science Daily article : Cilantro Ingredient Can Remove Foul Odor of 'Chitlins'

New TMAU review paper by Dr Christodoulou

Trimethylaminuria papers published in medical journals are a rare occurrence. So it is nice to see a paper published recently, although it is only a review rather than new research. The review is by Dr John Christodoulou of the Genetic Metabolic Disorders Service, The Children's Hospital at Westmead and Disciplines of Paediatrics and Child Health and Genetic Medicine, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

Dr Christodoulou has a history in trimethylaminuria research. Indeed He authored the research proposal which was meticulously written that gave the community hope a couple of years ago, which was posted in the blog. Unfortunately funding did not materialize for the proposal.

Dr Christodoulous 2008 TMAU research proposal

Here is the pubmed information for Dr Christodoulou's new TMAU review paper below :

Trimethylaminuria: An under-recognised and socially debilitating metabolic disorder.
Christodoulou J.

Abstract
Primary flavin mono-oxygenase 3 deficiency, an inborn error of choline metabolism, leads to an accumulation of trimethylamine, which because of its associated pungent odour of rotting fish, is a socially crippling disorder. Although it often has its onset in early childhood, it may take years or even decades before the diagnosis is established. In this review the clinical biochemical and genetic features of the disorder are reported. The principles of therapy will also be covered, including dietary, pharmacological approaches, as well as techniques used to manipulate the gastrointestinal environment as a strategy to reduce the gastrointestinal load of trimethylamine.

Dr Christodoulou abstract of TMAU review 2011

Dr Christodoulou, being a geneticist and pediatrician, is interested in all genetic disorders. Currently he is working on research for phenylketonuria that involves introducing a genetically engineered probiotic to the gut that is rich in the enzyme that metabolizes the compound present in the gut that PKU sufferers cannot metabolize. This idea has been suggested for TMAU too, and in principle may work for TMAU also, metabolizing the trimethylamine present in the gut.

At present, John and his team are also investigating genetically engineered probiotics as a treatment of human disease. One such disease, Phenylketonuria (PKU), is due to phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency and, if untreated, results in profound intellectual disability, seizures and aggressive behaviour. Treatment consists of a life-long diet, restricting phenylalanine intake. The diet, however, is unpalatable, and for a number of reasons, compliance tends to deteriorate with age. A group led by John, in collaboration with Dr Ian Alexander of the Gene Therapy Research Unit, Dr Ted O’Loughlin of the Gastroenterology Research Unit (both at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead), and Professor Peter Pouwells of the TNO Nutrition and Food Research Institute in the Netherlands, is developing a novel therapy for treating PKU. This will involve genetically engineering harmless Lactobacillus bacteria to produce an alternate phenylalanine-metabolising enzyme, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. These engineered organisms, if given orally (as a ‘Yakhult’ type preparation), should metabolise phenylalanine in the small intestine, preventing blood levels from rising. If successful, this novel form of treatment could be translated to other human diseases

Source : Dr John Christodoulou career biography

Video : Young lady goes public about TMAU on youtube

Body Odor and Halitosis are very taboo subjects, and especially traumatizing when the person cannot help it and it seems to be a systemic problem (i.e. a health disorder). So it is very brave of anyone to raise awareness of the problem by going public about their own odor problem. Everyone that does so is forever in our debt and someday will be in the 'hall of fame' as pioneer warriors. Recently an intelligent young lady in Los Angeles has 'come out' on youtube about her problem, which can be seen in this video. Thank you very much, Stacey. She is currently a bit down on her luck and has started a blog, which has received media publicity. So it is even more touching that she should mention her TMAU in a video at this point while her luck may be turning for the better. We wish her all the best and if you want to financially help her at this point in her life, you can do so via this link

Stacey's blog : datingwhilehomeless.blogspot.com
Stacey's video in her blog : datingwhilehomeless

NORD TMAU Fund : only $500 to go

NEWS: Thanks to Blue Sky Collector who just donated $100, the NORD fund now only needs $400 more to go! Thanks Blue!

Regular readers will know that the rrr-tmau.org website has been raising awareness of the NORD TMAU Fund, which will send out requests for TMAU research proposals when it reaches a certain amount. Previously the fund would be triggered when it reached $35,000, but it has been recently changed to reaching $33,500. NORD give $30,000 to the research proposal that wins (the rest is NORD admin costs).

With the TMAU fund currently sitting at around $33,000, this means that only $500 is needed to trigger requests for research proposals into TMAU. The fund is of interest to experts because they can use it for preliminary research that may then have a better chance of qualifying for major grants. It also coincides with the yearly cycle of requesting for proposals, since they usually ask for requests in the springtime.

You can read more about the NORD Fund grant process here

And so, the community is just $500 worth of donations away from the first major TMAU research for a very long time. Anyone wishing to donate, it's best to check the rrr TMAU fundraising site to see how.