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The transplantation of pancreatic islet cells could restore glycaemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes. Microspheres for islet encapsulation have enabled long-term glycaemic control in rodent models of diabetes; however, humans transplanted with equivalent microsphere formulations have experienced only transient islet graft function owing to a vigorous foreign-body response (FBR), to pericapsular fibrotic overgrowth (PFO) and, in upright bipedal species, to the sedimentation of the microspheres within the peritoneal cavity. Here, we report the results of the testing in non-human primate (NHP) models of seven alginate formulations that were efficacious in rodents, including three that led to transient islet graft function in clinical trials. All formulations elicited significant FBR and PFO 1 month post implantation; however, three chemically modified, immune-modulating alginate formulations elicited a reduced FBR. In conjunction with a minimally invasive transplantation technique into the bursa omentalis of NHPs, the most promising chemically modified alginate derivative (Z1-Y15) protected viable and glucose-responsive allogeneic islets for 4 months without the need for immunosuppression. Chemically modified alginate formulations may enable the long-term transplantation of islets for the correction of insulin deficiency. Transplantation of pancreatic islet cells encapsulated in alginate microspheres into the omental bursa of the peritoneal cavity of NHPs significantly reduces FBRs and extends the longevity of the cells.

These past few weeks and months have provided all of Americans with an opportunity to revisit some key lessons in the world of financial services. The first lesson is the importance of trust. The second lesson is that the opposite of irrational exuberance is irrational fear. Community bankers have done so much to calm the irrational fears of their customers. And they've been able to show that there is still a reason to place trust in their financial system. With the elections this month, and all the new people in Congress and the administration, people are going to need you to stay involved because this crisis reminded them every day that involved bankers can make a difference.

After eight months with the new American Bankers Association (ABA), the author has heard more fiction about who they really are than is supported by the facts. Here are some of the fiction in contrast with the facts: 1. Fiction: ABA do not represent community banks. Fact: ABA represents 95% of the banking industry's assets -- large, medium and small -- and the vast majority of their members are community banks. 2. Fiction: ABA don't represent Main Street. Fact: ABA's leadership represents every aspect of banking -- every charter, every form of ownership, every asset size and every business plan. 3. Fiction: ABA don't represent the interests of smaller banks. Fact: ABA most definitely represents banks of every size, and they do so through meaningful action as well as products and services. ABA is passionately committed to providing the best advocacy for institutions of every size and every charter.

The pace in Washington is almost at a frenetic level. Last month, the Treasury Department unveiled its Blueprint for Regulatory Reform of the financial system, Congress has been working on legislation to address the market turmoil and the mortgage crisis. Some of the concepts in the Treasury proposal warrant consideration, such as principles-based regulation. However, overall, the blueprint does nothing more than move bureaucratic boxes, add to an already complicated regulatory system, and fail to provide for meaningful regulatory relief. More pressing issues come from Congress, where the Senate has passed a housing stimulus package. Some members of Congress mistakenly believe that is the way to solve the current credit crisis. It is not. In the midst of all this, people really cannot overlook the role of the media and some of the problems that have been exacerbated by media coverage of financial crises.

Last month marked the official start of the 2008 presidential election. This election is going to demonstrate the critical importance of banker involvement in the political process. They need to send the message that more regulation of community banks is not the answer to resolving the critical issues facing the legislators. There is another issue that has become part of the political picture this year. It is the taxation of credit unions. By now most presidential candidates have confirmed their strong support for the tax exemption of credit unions and most likely language to that effect will be included in the party platforms. Bankers need your grassroots efforts to send the message that it is well past the time for bank-like credit unions to pay taxes.

Eight years ago, the author came on board as the new president and CEO of America's Community Bankers. She was excited, apprehensive, anxious and ready for a challenge. A few years ago, they went through their re-branding campaign and developed their tag line, \"Shaping Our Future\". Little did they know how prophetic that would be, and that they really did learn how to shape the future. They said repeatedly that it takes passion and commitment, a willingness to look ahead, a willingness to innovate and a willingness to lead. They have shown people that they are about the future; they want to be part of creating it and have a seat at the table when anyone is talking about community banks.

The ACB Board of Directors and the ABA's Board of Directors have voted to pursue a merger. Today, ACB and the ABA are actively engaged in both due diligence and a planning process to bring these two great organizations together. During the past several years, ACB's policy positions have become more closely aligned with the ABA's, to the point that the only differences that remained were ones of tactics, not policy. When you begin to look at all of the realities, you realize that together, as a unified association, they can be better than either one of them could be alone. The sum is truly greater than the parts. ACB, together with the ABA, will look forward to shaping the future of the banking industry.

America's Community Bankers (ACB) is celebrating 115 years of innovation, leadership, commitment and passion that truly have shaped the future of community banking. In some ways, it seems hard to believe that they are 115 years young. But it is important to celebrate their proud history and build upon that strong foundation as they continue to change, adapt and evoke. ACB honors its past and embraces its future. As their members continue to evolve, in an environment where change is accelerating exponentially, ACB embraces that change. ACB continues to innovate and lead, just as their predecessors did in 1892 when a group of bankers joined together to form an association that has evolved into what they are today, the progressive community bank trade association that helps make their members more competitive.