Monthly Archives: May 2012

Sports Medicine Skills Come Into Play at Pasadena Marathon

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PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Just as athletes are training for the upcoming May 20, 2012 Kaiser Permanente Pasadena Marathon so, too, are the physicians and health professionals who are responsible for providing medical care for the events walkers, runners and cyclists.

Kaiser Permanente takes these events very seriously, says Thad Woodward, MD, a Family Practice and Sports Medicine physician at the Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills Medical Center, who has supervised medical response for the Pasadena Marathon for the past four years. We try to bring the same level of care for our athletes in the field as we do for our patients in the emergency room.

About 40 to 60 Kaiser Permanente physicians, health professionals and other community volunteers are expected onsite to meet the basic medical needs of participants for the entire course. Leading their efforts will be James Hwang, MD, and Joel Ramirez, MD, sports medicine fellows at the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center.

To ensure their health care team is ready for nearly anything, the pair will bring Kaiser Permanente Southern Californias 25-bed disaster medical tent. Equipped with solid floors and air conditioning, the tent can double as a command post. Future plans call for installing wireless Internet and satellite phones.

Its like a MASH tent with cots, IVs, and medical supplies, says Dr. Hwang. Its very well stocked. You can do basic triage and stabilize patients before transferring them to the nearest hospital.

Use of the tent, which can expand to 1,700 square feet, ranges from medical center emergencies to area sporting events. Once the tent is fully equipped and operational, it can potentially be used for regional and out-of-state emergencies. During the Kaiser Permanente Pasadena Marathon, the disaster medical tent will be set up near the finish line while smaller tents will be erected along the event route.

Sports medicine physicians say they are especially well-suited to responding to medical emergencies at sporting events such as the Kaiser Permanente Pasadena Marathon. We cover the whole gamut of health issues, from primary care to musculature skeletal issues, says Dr. Hwang. Its nice that the Pasadena Marathon showcases our skills set; it lets the community know what sports medicine is really about.

Dr. Ramirez, who routinely gives community talks on the importance of education, says the Pasadena Marathon is an excellent opportunity for high school and college students who are considering medicine as a career.

They can see injuries and they can help us with cleaning abrasions or lacerations, says Dr. Ramirez. Its a great opportunity to learn whether medicine is the right career for you.

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Sports Medicine Skills Come Into Play at Pasadena Marathon

BG Medicine, Inc. Obtains CE Mark and Files 510(k) for Expanded BGM Galectin-3(TM) Indication

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WALTHAM, Mass., May 15, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BG Medicine, Inc. (Nasdaq:BGMD - News), a company focused on the development and commercialization of novel cardiovascular diagnostics, announced today that it has filed a 510(k) Premarket Notification with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for regulatory clearance of an expanded indication for its BGM Galectin-3 test. The blood test was cleared by the FDA in November 2010 and is currently indicated for use in patients with chronic heart failure who are at increased risk for hospitalizations or death based on elevated levels of galectin-3. Subject to FDA clearance, the new application would expand the indicated use to the general adult population to identify those with an elevated level of galectin-3, which is associated with an increased risk for new-onset heart failure.

The Company also announced that it has obtained CE Mark in the European Union (EU) for the expanded indication for the BGM Galectin-3 test, and is working with its partners to begin commercialization for the expanded indication in the EU.

The validation study that supports the expanded indication was conducted by the Framingham Heart Study. Led by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) is a leading, prospective, observational, family multi-generational study designed to track the development of cardiovascular disease and elucidate its common contributing factors. The study was initiated in 1948 and is a widely-used, generally-accepted, authoritative source that addresses risk factors associated with cardiovascular risks and disease. The study reported that approximately 15% of the general adult population was found to have elevated levels of galectin-3. Individuals with elevated levels of galectin-3 had a clinically important and statistically significant 47% increase in risk for the development of new-onset heart failure.

"Our initial indication pertains to progression in established heart failure," said Pieter Muntendam, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at BG Medicine. "This new indication addresses the importance of galectin-3 in heart failure development. The two indications combined span the galectin-3 mediated disease process from subclinical disease in those who seem otherwise healthy to those who suffer from advanced heart failure disease with high mortality."

"Heart failure today affects approximately 20 million people in the United States and Europe," said Eric Bouvier, President and Chief Executive Officer of BG Medicine. "Subject to clearance by the FDA, the expanded indication would address a potential market of approximately 200 million people in the United States and Europe. We believe that identifying at-risk individuals before the development of heart failure would allow physicians to offer enhanced risk reduction strategies to their patients, potentially resulting in improved patient outcomes."

About Galectin-3 and Heart Failure

Galectin-3 is a unique carbohydrate-binding lectin, or protein, that binds to carbohydrates called beta-galactosides. It has been implicated in a variety of biological processes important in heart failure, and is believed to be a primary mediator of progressive cardiac fibrosis (abnormal thickening and stiffening of the heart muscle) and adverse remodeling (changes in the structure of the heart). Higher levels of galectin-3 are associated with a more aggressive form of heart failure and 30% or more of mild to moderate heart failure patients have elevated levels of galectin-3. Heart failure affects an estimated 5.8 million Americans, with approximately 670,000 new cases occurring each year. The direct and indirect cost of heart failure in the United States for 2010 is estimated to be $39.2 billion.

About BG Medicine, Inc.

BG Medicine, Inc. (Nasdaq:BGMD - News) is a life sciences company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel cardiovascular diagnostics to address significant unmet medical needs, improve patient outcomes and contain healthcare costs. The Company's first commercialized product, the BGM Galectin-3TM test for use in patients with heart failure, is available in the United States and Europe. BG Medicine has also developed CardioSCORE, a blood test designed to identify individuals at high risk for near-term major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke. For additional information about BG Medicine, heart failure and galectin-3 testing, please visit http://www.bg-medicine.com and http://www.galectin-3.com.

The BG Medicine Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=10352

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BG Medicine, Inc. Obtains CE Mark and Files 510(k) for Expanded BGM Galectin-3(TM) Indication

Heel Supports New International Research Prize in Integrative Medicine

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BADEN-BADEN, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The European Society for Integrative Medicine (ESIM), with support from Heel, announces a new international research prize in integrative medicine: the Excellence in Integrative Medicine Research Award. Applicants are asked to submit papers by May 30, 2012.

This international research prize recognizes innovative and outstanding scientific papers in the field of integrative medicine, thus fostering collaboration between conventional and complementary medicine, emphasizes Dr. Ghassan Andraos, Head of Global Medicine at Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH.

The ESIM research prize is awarded in two categories: one for clinical investigations, the other for basic research. Each of the two winners will be awarded the sum of 10, 000 euros. Submissions must be based on a scientific manuscript that has either already been published in a peer-reviewed journal in 2011 or 2012 or has been accepted for publication. The jury, which is made up of a selection of international experts in integrative medicine, will rate the papers according to three criteria: innovation, level of relevance and scientific excellence.

The winners of the Excellence in Integrative Medicine Research Awards will be announced at the 5th annual European Conference on Integrative Medicine (ECIM) to be held in Florence, Italy from September 21 to 22. For more information, visit: http://www.ecim-congress.org.

The mission of the European Society for Integrative Medicine is to promote science, research, education and further training, support for medical care and providing advice on policy in the realm of integrative medicine. For these purposes, the Society organizes scientific events and encourages dialog with health-care authorities and institutions.

Heel is a pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and distributes medicines based on natural substances. As the global leader in homeopathic combination preparations, the company is also a pioneer in the field of scientific research in natural healthcare. In cooperation with academic institutions, Heel actively fosters the concept of integrative medicine and is building the bridge between homeopathy and conventional medicine to improve patient care and health.

Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH, with corporate headquarters located in Baden-Baden/Germany and a staff of 1,300, achieved an annual turnover of 196 million euros in 2011 70 percent of it outside of Germany. Heel medicinesare available through subsidiaries and distribution partners in over 50 countries around the world. http://www.heel.com

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Heel Supports New International Research Prize in Integrative Medicine

BG Medicine Announces Fiscal 2012 First Quarter Results

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WALTHAM, Mass., May 15, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BG Medicine, Inc. (Nasdaq:BGMD - News) today announced its consolidated results of operations for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 and provided a business update. The Company will host a conference call and webcast today, May 15, 2012, beginning at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time (details follow below).

At March 31, 2012, the Company had consolidated cash and cash equivalents totaling approximately $28.5 million.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2012, the Company reported a consolidated net loss of $7.7 million compared to a consolidated net loss of $3.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

Business Update

"Our accomplishments over the past several months have created strong momentum toward achieving our goals for the BGM Galectin-3 TM test, CardioSCORE, and the Company as a whole," said Eric Bouvier, president and CEO of BG Medicine. "First, in May 2012, we filed a 510(k) to extend the approved labeling indication for the BGM Galectin-3 test to include individuals in the general adult population who are at risk for developing heart failure based on elevated levels of galectin-3. Second, we obtained CE Mark in the European Union for the expanded indication for the BGM Galectin-3 test and we are working with our partners to begin commercialization. Third, results from a sub-study of the CORONA trial, demonstrating the ability to use galectin-3 levels to identify heart failure patients who might benefit from therapy with a common statin drug, Crestor(R) (rosuvastatin), were recently published online in the European Heart Journal. Finally, we recently announced that Mayo Medical Laboratories is now making galectin-3 testing available to their networks, further demonstration of the increasing interest and demand for the BGM Galectin-3 test.

"In February, we entered into a $15.0 million secured loan facility with General Electric and Comerica and drew down $10.0 million," continued Mr. Bouvier. "This financing provides us with additional capital to fund our commercialization activities for both Galectin-3 and CardioSCORE.

"In addition to these recent accomplishments, several upcoming milestones will impact the success of BG Medicine in 2012 and beyond," concluded Mr. Bouvier. "We are focused on the achievement of these milestones and on making both Galectin-3 and CardioSCORE medical and commercial successes."

Upcoming milestones include:

Financial Results

Product revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 increased to $416,000 from $12,000 in the quarter ended March 31, 2011, reflecting increasing demand for the BGM Galectin-3 test. On a sequential quarterly basis, product revenue increased 36% to $416,000 from $307,000 in the quarter ended December 31, 2011. Service revenue decreased to $64,000 in the quarter ended March 31, 2012 from $843,000 in the corresponding period in 2011. In the quarter ended March 31, 2011, service revenue consisted primarily of $700,000 related to an agreement under the HRP initiative. On a sequential quarterly basis, service revenue decreased to $64,000 from $72,000 in the quarter ended December 31, 2011.

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BG Medicine Announces Fiscal 2012 First Quarter Results

Global Alternative Medicine Industry

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NEW YORK, May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

Global Alternative Medicine Industryhttp://www.reportlinker.com/p0151179/Global-Alternative-Medicine-Industry.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=Alternati

The global outlook series on the Alternative Medicine Industry provides a collection of statistical anecdotes, market briefs, and concise summaries of research findings. Illustrated with 31 fact-rich market data tables, the report offers a rudimentary overview of the industry, and highlights latest trends and demand drivers. Regional markets briefly abstracted and covered include United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, UK, Denmark, India, Australia, and Taiwan among others. The report offers a compilation of recent mergers, acquisitions, and strategic corporate developments. Also included is an indexed, easy-to-refer, fact-finder directory listing the addresses, and contact details of 433 companies worldwide.

1. INDUSTRY OVERVIEW 1Outlook 1Current Scenario 1Key Global Statistics 3Table 1: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis forTraditional Medicine by Geographic Region - North America,Europe, Asia-Pacific (including Japan), and Rest of WorldMarkets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures inUS$ Million for Years 2010 through 2015 3

Table 2: World 5-Year Perspective for Traditional Medicine

Market by Geographic Region: Percentage Breakdown of Value

Sales for North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (including

Japan) and Latin American Markets for Years 2011 & 2015 4

Table 3: Percentage of Population in the Developed CountriesUsing Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) (2011) 4Factors Driving the Market Growth 4Market Challenges 5Alternative Medicine - Down the Time Lane 5Table 4: World Alternative Medicine Market (2011): PercentageShare Breakdown by Type of Modality - Herbal Medicine,Traditional Chinese Medicine, Homeopathic Medicine, andAyurvedic Medicine 6Market Dynamics 6Rising Health Care Costs Drive Market Growth 6Table 5: Global Healthcare Market (2010): Breakdown of PerCapita (US$) Health Expenditure by Select Countries 7

Table 6: Global Healthcare Market (2010): Breakdown of

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Global Alternative Medicine Industry

Emory medical school gets $5 million gift

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ATLANTA (AP) - The Emory University School of Medicine has received a commitment for a $5 million gift for its pediatrics department.

The money from the Marcus Foundation, Inc., will be used to create the Marcus Society in Pediatrics. The society will be the "intellectual home" for 15 Marcus Professors in Pediatrics_six existing Marcus Professors and nine who are newly funded. The society will also host an annual visiting scholar.

The nine new Marcus Professors will specialize in the following areas: rheumatology, general pediatrics/adolescent medicine, emergency medicine/faculty development, cystic fibrosis, neurology, immunology, cardiology, general academic pediatrics/hospital medicine and hospital epidemiology/infection control. The six existing Marcus Professors specialize in pulmonology, infectious diseases, nephrology, gastroenterology, endocrinology and neonatology.

The foundation and the department of pediatrics have a longstanding philanthropic relationship.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Emory medical school gets $5 million gift

House okays for-profit medical school

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The House voted 65 to 6 Tuesday to permit a for-profit osteopathic medical school to open in Rhode Island, provided it meets applicable academic standards.

State Rep. Joseph M. McNamara, D-Warwick, presented the proposal as a boost to economic development that will create 300 jobs and bring construction of a 250,000-square-foot facility.

He also said the new Rhode Island School of Osteopathic Medicine would help address a projected shortage of primary care physicians in the next decade.

But State Rep. Edith H. Ajello, D-Providence, said the shortage of doctors stems from low reimbursement rates. She raised concerns that the school might not require students to have bachelors degrees and that it would strain available clinical placements for upper-level medical students.

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House okays for-profit medical school

Medical Students Should Study Patients' Cultural Diversity

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As the United States grows more culturally diverse and we hear more languages spoken around us, clinical medical education has had to evolve as well. And with national population growth, particularly in big cities like New York and Los Angeles, which are popular with medical students, those students must not only know their jobs, but also need to know their hospitals.

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Medical Students Should Study Patients' Cultural Diversity

Seventy Medical Students Take a Year-Long Plunge into Lab Work

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Medical school can be a grueling four-year journey consisting of never-ending memorization, clinical rotations and sleepless nights. So why do some students extend their medical school status by plunging into a research lab for an extra year of studies?

Its all about the why, explains Dylan Wolman, a medical student at Tufts University School of Medicine. A year of research provides an avenue to practice what should be an essential skill in any scientific field: questioning 'why. It is a thought exercise that will serve you there by teaching you to question why an unexplained symptom in a particular disease constellation occurs, and perhaps even help you develop the spark necessary to pursue that question to its answer, Wolman says.

Wolman and another medical student awardee will immerse themselves in a year of intense lab research at the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Janelia Farm Research Campus as part of the HHMI Medical Research Fellows Program, a $2.5 million annual initiative to increase the training of future physician-scientists. In all, 70 students from 27 medical schools across the country will participate in the year-long Medical Research Fellows Program. More than 1,400 students have participated in the Medical Research Fellows program since its inception in 1989.

A year spent focused on research has been transformative for many fellows, and shaped their interest and determination to become physician-scientists. Sean B. Carroll

Wolman, who is halfway through his medical studies at Tufts, is taking a year off from medical school to conduct cutting-edge research on brain wiring at Janelia Farm in Ashburn, Virginia. At Janelia Farm, Wolman will use light and electron microscopy techniques to study the neural connectivity between the mouse motor and barrel cortex. He will work under the mentorship of Janelia Farm fellow Davi Bock and group leader Karel Svoboda.

A year spent focused on research has been transformative for many fellows, and shaped their interest and determination to become physician-scientists, says Sean B. Carroll, HHMIs vice president for science education.

One of the medical research fellows will spend a part of his year researching tuberculosis in South Africa. Eric Kalivoda, a student from the University of Vermont College of Medicine, will work at the KwaZulu-Natal Research Institute for Tuberculosis and HIV (K-RITH), in Durban, South Africa, for several months under the mentorship of HHMI investigator William Jacobs. This is the first time that one of the medical fellows will be spending a portion of the fellowship year at K-RITH.

K-RITH is a groundbreaking collaboration between HHMI and the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. K-RITHs mission is to conduct outstanding basic science research on tuberculosis (TB) and HIV, translate the scientific findings into new tools to control TB and HIV, and expand the educational opportunities in the region. Kalivoda will travel to Durban mid-way through his fellowship, and then return to the United States to spend the rest of the year in Jacobs lab at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.

K-RITH offers the unique perspective to study and address HIV/XDR-TB at its epicenter, and I look forward to working with my mentor and the K-RITH team of scientists to develop improved diagnostics for rapid TB drug-susceptibility testing, said Kalivoda.

David McMullen, a fellow from the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey, will spend the year doing research on brain-computer interfaces in a non-HHMI lab at Johns Hopkins University. McMullen will work with Hopkins scientists who are developing brain-computer interface technology as a potential treatment that would help patients with neuromuscular damage regain motor function.

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Seventy Medical Students Take a Year-Long Plunge into Lab Work

Romney’s Liberty U commencement speech — text

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Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney delivered the commencement speech at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., this past weekend. It was seen as an appeal to religious conservatives in the Republican Party who had opposed him earlier in the primary season.

Here is the full text of Romneys prepared remarks, from his website:

For the graduates, this moment marks a clear ending and a clear beginning. The task set before you four years ago is now completed in full. To the class of 2012: Well done, and congratulations.

Mitt Romney gives Liberty University commencement speech May 12, 2012. (Jae C. Hong/AP) Some of you may have taken a little longer than four years to complete your studies. One graduate has said that he completed his degree in only two terms: Clintons and Bushs.

In some ways, it is fitting that I share this distinction with Truett Cathy. The Romney campaign comes to a sudden stop when we spot a Chick-fil-A. Your chicken sandwiches were our comfort food through the primary season, and there were days that we needed a lot of comforting. So, Truett, thank you and congratulations on your well-deserved honor today.

There are some people here who are even more pleased than the graduates. Those would be the parents. Their years of prayers, devotion, and investment have added up to this joyful achievement. And with credit to Congressman Dick Armey: The American Dream is not owning your own home, it is getting your kids out of the home you own.

Lately, Ive found myself thinking about life in four-year stretches. And lets just say that not everybody has achieved as much in these last four years as you have.

Thats a theme for another day. But two observations. First, even though job opportunities are scarce in this economy, it is not for nothing that you have spent this time preparing. Jerry Falwell, Senior, long ago observed that, You do not determine a mans greatness by his talent or wealth, as the world does, but rather by what it takes to discourage him. America needs your skill and talent. If we take the right course, we will see a resurgence in the American economy that will surprise the world, and that will open new doors of opportunity for those who are prepared as you are.

Of course, what the next four years might hold for me is yet to be determined. But I will say that things are looking up, and I take your kind hospitality today as a sign of good things to come.

I consider it a great life honor to address you today. Your generosity of spirit humbles me. The welcoming spirit of Liberty is a tribute to the gracious Christian example of your founder.

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Romney’s Liberty U commencement speech — text

Liberty Global Reports Mixed 1Q – Analyst Blog

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Liberty Global Inc. ( LBTYA ) declared mixed financial results for the first quarter of 2012. In the previous quarter, the company added a net 445,000 organic revenue generating units (RGU), up 71% year over year.

Quarterly GAAP net loss from continuing operation was $25.2 million or a loss of 9 cents per share compared with a net income of $342.4 million or $1.22 per share in the prior-year quarter. However, first-quarter 2012 adjusted (excluding special items) earnings per share of 17 cents fell below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 20 cents.

Quarterly total revenue of $2,537 million was an improvement of 12.4% year over year, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,492 million. Year-over-year growth of the top line was primarily attributable to the consolidation of German operations.

Quarterly cost of operation was $897.7 million, up 10.6% year over year. Selling, General and Administrative expenses were $471.4 million, up 12.8% year over year. In the first quarter of 2012, operating income was $494.3 million, up 14.2% year over year.

During the first quarter of 2012, Liberty Global generated $805.8 million of cash from operations compared with $734.9 million in the year-ago quarter. Free cash flow (cash flow from operations less capital expenditures) in the reported quarter was $284.5 million compared with $245.3 million in the prior-year quarter.

At the end of the first quarter of 2012, Liberty Global had $2,703.1 million of cash & marketable securities and $24,966.3 million of outstanding debt on its balance sheet compared with $2,626.4 million of cash & marketable securities and $24,757.9 million of outstanding debt on its balance sheet at the end of 2011. At the end of the first quarter of 2012, debt-to-capitalization ratio was 0.90 compared with 0.87 at the end of 2011.

Subscriber Statistics

As on March 31, 2012, Liberty Global had 19.5869 million customers in 14 countries. UPC Broadband customer was 16.1746 million. Telnet customer was 2.1801 million. VTR customer was 1.1089 million. Puerto Rico customer was 122,700. Total Single-Play customer was 11.2316 million, up 9.4% year over year. Total Double-Play customer was 2.9207 million, up 9.8% year over year. Total Triple-Play customer was 5.4346 million, up 39.6% year over year.

During the reported quarter, Liberty Global added 445,000 net RGUs including net gains of 254,000 and 277,000 subscribers, respectively, for broadband Internet and telephony services and a net loss of 86,000 subscribers for video services. In the first quarter, the company added 279,000 digital video subscribers. At the end of the first quarter of 2012, Liberty Global had 8.4 million digital cable subscribers with a penetration rate of 47%. Importantly, 52% of total digital cable subscribers are now using HD/DVR services.

Segment wise Results

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Liberty Global Reports Mixed 1Q - Analyst Blog

Liberty Media Is Exploiting SIRI Investors' Delusion

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NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- For reasons I can't quite comprehend Sirius XM(SIRI) investors continue with their misguided optimism over recent events with Liberty Media(LMCA). They seem to think Liberty's effort to take full control of Sirius is going to somehow manifest into a win-win situation where both Liberty and investors of Sirius walk away holding hands.

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Liberty Media Is Exploiting SIRI Investors' Delusion

LIBERTY Dental Plan Introduces Mobile App

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IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

LIBERTY Dental Plan (LIBERTY) is releasing their new mobile app with predictive Automatic Call Distribution (ACD). LIBERTY members across the United States can now access LIBERTYs most popular online dental features via smart phones.

Using this free, easy-to-use mobile app, members can access their account information, view dental benefits and co-pays, find a dentist, get answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and contact LIBERTY Member Services without waiting in a call queue.

Drumbi, a leader in enterprise communications, uses predictive ACD technology embedded into the app to enhance communications between the member and LIBERTY customer services. Callers can directly access a LIBERTY Member Services Representative, and be personally greeted by a friendly, live voice who is automatically prompted with the members basic information at the time of the call.

Were excited to be a leader in the dental insurance industry offering a mobile app that will dramatically enhance member service communications, said Dr. Amir Neshat, LIBERTY's Founder, President and CEO. I am particularly excited that LIBERTY can offer innovative solutions to our clients, bringing us ever closer to meeting and exceeding standards in efficiency and quality.

We are privileged to have been selected by LIBERTY Dental Plan as a core component of their operational transformation, Shervin Talieh, CEO of Drumbi, said. LIBERTY's mission is to provide a superior member and provider experience while creating tremendous operational efficiency as they continue their rapid growth. The benefit of self-service technology is tied to consumers knowing they have control of their options. Drumbi and LIBERTY are continuing their efforts together to design another integrated app specifically for dental providers.

LIBERTY Dental Mobile is available now free of charge in the iPhone App Store and in Google Play for Android. For more information, visit http://www.libertydentalplan.com/mobile.

About LIBERTY Dental Plan

LIBERTY Dental Plan specializes in commercial and government sponsored dental programs, providing services to managed care organizations, state governments, labor unions, large group employers, municipalities, and individuals. With a vast majority of its membership enrolled in government sponsored programs, LIBERTY is recognized as a specialist in administering dental care for Medicaid, SCHIP and Medicare beneficiaries. LIBERTY has a proven record of successfully increasing the utilization of quality dental care for multiple programs, ensuring that a larger portion of premiums are appropriated directly to care.

LIBERTY Dental Plan is also recognized as an industry leader in the area of Dental Disease Management. A member of The Care Continuum Alliance (carecontinuum.org), LIBERTY shares their commitment to promote high quality standards for and definitions of key components of wellness, disease, case management where appropriate, and care coordination programs as well as support services and materials.

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LIBERTY Dental Plan Introduces Mobile App

Liberty Mines Continues to Expand Nickel Mineralization at its Hart Deposit

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TSX: LBE

TORONTO , May 14, 2012 /CNW/ - Liberty Mines Inc. ("Liberty" or the "Company") today announced results from a deep drill program on its Hart Nickel Deposit that suggests increased mineralization at depth. The drilling program is consistent with the Company's strategy to add to its current resource base, and support production activities at its 2,000 ton per day Redstone Mill.

"These drill results demonstrate the potential for adding significant tonnage to the Hart resource and support our belief that there are deeper deposits within the Shaw Dome region," commented Chris Stewart , President & CEO of Liberty Mines. "We are very encouraged by the mineralization in the drill holes along with the results of the down the hole geophysics we carried out on the three deep drill holes. The current indicated resource of 1.55 million tonnes at the Hart deposit ends at a depth of about 550m below surface. These new deep drill hole intersections suggest we could add significant tonnes to the overall Hart resources at depth."

An intercept of 0.96% Ni over a drilled width of 0.9 meters from 795.6 to 796.5 meters in drill hole H-12-31A occurred at a vertical depth of 780 meters below surface. In addition, an intercept of 0.6% Ni over a drilled width of 3.5 meters occurred from 786.8 to 790.3 meters. The Hart Deposit has an indicated resource of 1,546,000 tonnes grading 1.4% Nickel from surface to approximately 550 meters below surface. In late 2011, Liberty Mines drilled a deep hole targeting the vertical projection of a VTEM airborne conductor. Drill hole H-11-23 intersected 1.24% Ni over a drilled width of 3.6 meters approximately 550 meters vertically below surface ( Dec 14, 2011 press release). The recent intercept in drill hole H-12-31A occurs approximately 270 meters down dip of drill hole H-11-23.

Recently, a borehole geophysical survey was performed on both of these drill holes by Crone Geophysics and Exploration Ltd. The responses from the surveys suggest a significant conductor lies west of drill hole H-11-23 at an approximate depth of 580 meters and a conductive response also lies immediately east and below drill hole H-12-31A at an approximate vertical depth of 800 meters. Liberty Mines plans to drill test these conductive responses to build upon the recent deep drill hole intercepts.

On the Hart East project, a recent deep drill hole, H-11-30 intersected 1.02% Ni over a drilled width of 1.7 meters at approximately 650 meters vertically below surface ( March 26, 2012 press release). A borehole survey performed on this drill hole indicates a substantial off hole response to the east and above the deep intercept which could represent significant accumulations of nickel sulphides. Liberty is also planning to drill test this significant conductor to continue building upon a resource for the Hart East.

To see an image of the Hart & Hart East projects, click the following link: http://files.newswire.ca/1063/Hart_and_Hart_East.pdf

Currently, drilling is focused on a combined airborne VTEM and geochemical soil anomaly equidistant between the Hart and McWatters deposits. Results from the deep drilling on the Hart and Hart East programs are shown in the table below. These drill holes have been bore hole surveyed. The core lengths presented in the table are the intersected lengths, and the composite lengths are core weighted. True widths are unknown. Drill holes H-11-23 and H-11-30 previously reported.

Liberty's drill projects are being supervised by the Company's Vice President of Exploration, Peter Caldbick BSc, P.Geo., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. The technical contents of the press release have been reviewed and approved by Peter Caldbick. A rigorous quality assurance program is employed which includes the insertion of standards and blanks for each batch of samples. Samples of the NQ size drill core are sawed in half, with one-half sent to a commercial laboratory, AGAT Laboratories Mississauga, Ontario, and the other half retained for future reference. Core samples are routinely analyzed for nickel and copper using sodium peroxide fusion and ICP finish. Any analyses greater than 5,000 ppm are re-analyzed using total acid digestion

About Liberty Mines Inc.

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Liberty Mines Continues to Expand Nickel Mineralization at its Hart Deposit

Liberty Mines Reports Financial Results for First Quarter 2012

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TSX: LBE

TORONTO , May 14, 2012 /CNW/ - Liberty Mines Inc. (LBE.TO) ("Liberty" or the "Company") today reported its financial results for the 3-month period ended March 31, 2012 . All amounts are in Canadian currency.

"Our first quarter was marked by our most significant milestone since we began our turn-around strategy nine months ago," said Mr. Chris Stewart , President and CEO of Liberty Mines. "With the re-start of mining and milling operations now behind us, we can focus our efforts on maximizing production of our nickel concentrate, and continuing to add to our resources and reserves through a strategic exploration program. These efforts will not only generate improved financial results in the near term through increased revenue and cash flow, they will also effectively position us for future long-term growth."

Q1 2012 Operational Highlights

Highlights Subsequent to Quarter End

Selected financial highlights

Review of Q1 Financial Performance Revenue for Q1 2012 was $19,240 down from $2.1 million for Q1 2001. The year-over-year decline was due to a shut-down of mining and milling operations initiated by the Company in February, 2011. Mining and milling operations were effectively re-started on March 31 , 2012. Given the timing of the start date, the company expects revenue and cash flow from operations to resume in Q2 2012. Revenue generated in Q1 2012 stemmed from the final settlement on precious metals shipped in 2011.

Net loss for Q1 2012 was $8.0 million or $0.04 per basic and fully diluted share. The loss included amortization expenses of $1.4 million , interest on long-term debt of $2.2 million and dividends on preferred shares of $0.3 million . In the same period of 2011, Liberty recorded a net loss of $5.1 million or $0.03 per basic and fully diluted share. Liberty's mining and milling operations were partially functional in Q1 of 2011.

At March 31, 2012 , Liberty had cash and cash equivalents of $546,600 . This compares to $1.3 million at year end 2011.

Liberty's financial statements for the period ended March 31, 2012 are available at http://www.libertymines.com and http://www.sedar.com. The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes and management's discussion and analysis.

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Liberty Mines Reports Financial Results for First Quarter 2012

Liberty Global Reports Mixed 1Q

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Liberty Global Inc. (LBTYA) declared mixed financial results for the first quarter of 2012. In the previous quarter, the company added a net 445,000 organic revenue generating units (RGU), up 71% year over year.

Quarterly GAAP net loss from continuing operation was $25.2 million or a loss of 9 cents per share compared with a net income of $342.4 million or $1.22 per share in the prior-year quarter. However, first-quarter 2012 adjusted (excluding special items) earnings per share of 17 cents fell below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 20 cents.

Quarterly total revenue of $2,537 million was an improvement of 12.4% year over year, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,492 million. Year-over-year growth of the top line was primarily attributable to the consolidation of German operations.

Quarterly cost of operation was $897.7 million, up 10.6% year over year. Selling, General and Administrative expenses were $471.4 million, up 12.8% year over year. In the first quarter of 2012, operating income was $494.3 million, up 14.2% year over year.

During the first quarter of 2012, Liberty Global generated $805.8 million of cash from operations compared with $734.9 million in the year-ago quarter. Free cash flow (cash flow from operations less capital expenditures) in the reported quarter was $284.5 million compared with $245.3 million in the prior-year quarter.

At the end of the first quarter of 2012, Liberty Global had $2,703.1 million of cash & marketable securities and $24,966.3 million of outstanding debt on its balance sheet compared with $2,626.4 million of cash & marketable securities and $24,757.9 million of outstanding debt on its balance sheet at the end of 2011. At the end of the first quarter of 2012, debt-to-capitalization ratio was 0.90 compared with 0.87 at the end of 2011.

Subscriber Statistics

As on March 31, 2012, Liberty Global had 19.5869 million customers in 14 countries. UPC Broadband customer was 16.1746 million. Telnet customer was 2.1801 million. VTR customer was 1.1089 million. Puerto Rico customer was 122,700. Total Single-Play customer was 11.2316 million, up 9.4% year over year. Total Double-Play customer was 2.9207 million, up 9.8% year over year. Total Triple-Play customer was 5.4346 million, up 39.6% year over year.

During the reported quarter, Liberty Global added 445,000 net RGUs including net gains of 254,000 and 277,000 subscribers, respectively, for broadband Internet and telephony services and a net loss of 86,000 subscribers for video services. In the first quarter, the company added 279,000 digital video subscribers. At the end of the first quarter of 2012, Liberty Global had 8.4 million digital cable subscribers with a penetration rate of 47%. Importantly, 52% of total digital cable subscribers are now using HD/DVR services.

Segment wise Results

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Liberty Global Reports Mixed 1Q