Monthly Archives: July 2012

Romney: Health care mandate a "tax"

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(CBS News) WOLFEBORO, N.H. - Mitt Romney tried to clear up the confusion about where he stands on President Obama's health care reform. Two days ago, his campaign spokesman said the requirement that every American buy health insurance is a penalty, not a tax. But on Wednesday, the candidate shifted his position.

Romney has come under fire since the Supreme Court's decision because his position on this tax issue has been at odds with every Republican, that of course they're saying that the health care law is a massive tax hike. But Wednesday, in his first interview since the Supreme Court decision, Romney tried to clear things up. CBS News correspondent Jan Crawford interviewed the GOP presidential hopeful at his vacation home. A transcript follows:

Romney: Well, the Supreme Court has the final word. And their final word is that Obamacare is a tax. So it's a tax. They decided it was constitutional. So it is a tax and it's constitutional. That's the final word. That's what it is.

Crawford: Have you changed your views on this? Do you now believe that it is a tax at the federal level, that the Supreme Court has said it's a tax? So it is a tax?

Romney: Well, I said that I agreed with the dissent, and the dissent made it very clear that they felt it was unconstitutional. But the dissent lost. It's in the minority. And so now the Supreme Court has spoken.

Romney: Individual mandate "is a tax"

There's now way around that. You can try and say you wished they would have decided in a different way, but they didn't. They concluded it was a tax. That's what it is. And the American people know that President Obama has broken the pledge he made. He said he wouldn't raise taxes on middle-income Americans. Not only did he raise the $500 billion that was already in the bill, it's now clear that his mandate, as described by the Supreme Court, is a tax.

Crawford: But does that mean the mandate in the state of Massachusetts under your health care law also is a tax, and that you raised taxes as governor?

Romney: Actually the chief justice, in his opinion, made it very clear that at the state level, states have the power to put in place mandates. They don't need to require them to be called taxes in order for them to be constitutional. And as a result, Massachusetts' mandate was a mandate, was a penalty, was described that way by the legislature and by me. And so it stays as it was.

Crawford: So at the state level, you're saying the Supreme Court says that's different? That the federal government--

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Romney: Health care mandate a "tax"

Benton Freedom Festival attendance down

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The Benton Freedom Festival, formerly held in Bryant, has always been Saline County's largest summertime event.

This year, in its new location at the Saline County Fairgrounds, turnout isn't quite what organizers hoped for. The hot, dry weather and subsequent burn ban in effect means no fireworks this year, which is hurting attendance.

Game and food booths are set up, but there are no lines. The midway at the Saline County Fairgrounds is empty during the biggest event of the year, falling short of what organizers planned to be a huge success.

Benton Mayor David Mattingly says the community has been looking forward to this event. "So many people have been working very hard."

While the Benton Freedom Festival offers food, rides, games, and music, the main attraction of any 4th of July festival is fireworks. Mayor Mattingly says it's a shame the weather has been so hot. "I know that's having an effect on people."

July 3rd, the first day of the two day festival, several thousand people showed up later in the day when the weather cooled off to listen to the musical acts on two separate stages. Festival Director James Ballew says even without fireworks, there are still a lot of attractions. "I still feel like we're the largest event in Saline County. We have a small setback with the fireworks, as a lot of communities do."

Sarah Fallon says it's still a let down for her kids. "They are a little disappointed. We talked about going into Little Rock and watching those fireworks, but were not real sure yet." She and her husband Nathan say they won't stay at the Benton Freedom festival very long in the heat without fireworks to cap off the evening. "I'm a big fireworks person. The 4th of July not being able to shoot off fireworks at the house or anywhere else is kind of a bummer."

Mayor Mattingly says the importance of putting safety first is the number one priority. The City of Benton plans to shoot fireworks off as soon as the burn ban is lifted.

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Benton Freedom Festival attendance down

Businessman hopes Freedom hydro power project can make a self-sufficient business

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FREEDOM, Maine Power from moving water, along with the attention of a retired banker, is giving new life to a historic building in the heart of town.

Tony Grassi of Camden is awaiting approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to install a 39-kilowatt turbine in the dam on the Sandy Stream, which flows out of Freedom Pond. The dam is adjacent to the old mill building, which Grassi is restoring, following state historic preservation standards.

In addition to the FERC approval, Grassi has sought approval for his Freedom Falls project from the state Department of Environmental Protection, and the federal Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, National Park Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Its all sort of slowly working along, he said Monday of the approval process. Grassi took title of the old wood-frame mill building and dam on April 1. Town officials and residents have been helpful, he said, making zoning changes to accommodate the project.

The historic preservation standards were self-imposed Grassi sought and won a listing on the National Register of Historic Places for the old mill building. He is taking advantage of federal and state tax credits for historic renovation, but the project is clearly a labor of love.

A retired investment banker, he left the business in 1990 when it was still fun and became what he calls a full-time volunteer. Grassi has been active in the Nature Conservancy and, beginning in the early 1990s, he and his wife Sally began working with the Horizons National Student Enrichment Program. In fact, they took the then-Connecticut-based program, which provides summer enrichment programs for students from kindergarten through 12th grade, to a national reach.

In addition to his other nonprofit volunteer work, Grassi has served as co-chairman, with BDN Publisher Rick Warren, of the fundraising committee for the Penobscot River Restoration Trust. He chuckles at the irony of working with that group to remove a dam on the Penobscot River while working to restore one in Freedom.

Grassi and his wife moved to Camden eight years ago.

The mill project first came to Grassis attention six or seven years ago when his son and daughter-in-law bought a neighboring property, where they now operate an organic farm.

The project also intrigued Grassi as a test case of sorts, he said. If he succeeds in landing commercial tenants, the now-quiet heart of Freedom could become active again.

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Businessman hopes Freedom hydro power project can make a self-sufficient business

Celebrating Freedom

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As the nation celebrates 236 years of independence, we also celebrate our freedom.

Dorris, California is proud of their flag - and they're also proud of their freedom.

"Freedom of speech" Notes firefighter Randy Cash of CalFire. "It's just nice to know that no matter what, you can say what you think and you're entitled to that opinion, and voicing that opinion."

Freedom to assemble for a public meeting, or even a parade...

Barbara C of Dorris says she's thankful for "Freedom that I can worship God anywhere I want, go to any church I want, and just glorify Him."

"Our right to bear arms." Says Gene Lane of the Butte Valley Friends of the N.R.A. "It gives us the right to protect ourselves against all enemies, foreign and domestic."

"My favorite freedom is to vote." Adds Troy King of Klamath Falls. "I have a right to go out and vote."

"Freedom of the press is important." States Andrew Creasey, a reporter for the Klamath Falls Herald & News. "Because it's important to stay informed. To know what's going on, it's good to have people that aren't told what to do, and have the freedom to cover what they want."

Ian Andreatta of Dorris summed it up...

"My favorite freedom is the freedom to do what you'd like."

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Celebrating Freedom

A Declaration of Internet Freedom

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On Jan. 18 of this year, the Internet went dark. In protest against overreaching copyright legislation that endangered the open architecture of the Internet, online services like Wikipedia and Reddit, along with 115,000 other websites, participated in an Internet-wide "blackout" to educate Internet users about the threat to net freedom. Thanks to the joint efforts of free speech advocates, online innovators and everyday Internet users, Congressional offices were flooded with calls and emails, and within days, the Stop Online Privacy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA) were shelved in response to the massive online uprising.

Now, half a year later, many of the people and organizations that helped make that Jan. 18 protest a success including my own, the Center for Democracy & Technology are ready to try something different. We're ready to move from defense to offense; ready to support something, rather than just oppose something; ready to transform that powerful moment, where Internet users rose up as one to oppose online censorship, into a lasting movement for Internet freedom. We're ready to try and harness the energy of January's tsunami of online activism, a shock wave whose effects continue to be seen in the privacy debate over cybersecurity legislation in the U.S. and the protests over the ACTA treaty in Europe.

That's why this July 4, instead of blacking out the Internet, we wanted to shine a light and share a positive vision of the Internet and its future, and beta-test a set of principles that can help serve as a rallying cry for Internet freedom fighters both in America and across the globe principles that are broad and universal enough to speak to all political persuasions yet specific enough to serve as a benchmark against which future Internet legislation can be judged and around which future Internet movements can organize.

We're proud to be publishing those principles today in the form of A Declaration of Internet Freedom, joined by a diverse group of Internet innovators and advocates drawn from the loose but wide-ranging alliance that defeated SOPA and PIPA, including companies like Mozilla, individuals like Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, and advocacy and activist groups like Free Press, Public Knowledge, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Fight for the Future.

We are publishing our declaration on Independence Day to echo the American founding fathers' publication of the Declaration of Independence, though we believe these values can and should apply globally as befits a global network. And what we declare, simply, is that:

We stand for a free and open Internet.

We support transparent and participatory processes for making Internet policy and the establishment of five basic principles:

Expression: Don't censor the Internet.

Access: Promote universal access to fast and affordable networks.

Openness: Keep the Internet an open network where everyone is free to connect, communicate, write, read, watch, speak, listen, learn, create and innovate.

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A Declaration of Internet Freedom

Freedom and the Workplace

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There is a very interesting debate afoot between libertarians and liberals about libertarian beliefs and worker freedom. It started with a joint blog post from liberals Chris Bertram, Corey Robin and Alex Gourevitch (hereafter BRG), with replies by Tyler Cowen and Alex Tabarrok, and a counter-reply from John Holbo. There are a lot [...]

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Freedom and the Workplace

Beach managers: Central Naples beaches got the worst of erosion caused by Debby

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NAPLES Central Naples beaches took the brunt of the erosion caused last week by Tropical Storm Debby as it moved through the Gulf, local beach managers said.

But while last week's stormy conditions took a toll on the area's beaches, it's a manageable problem, officials in Collier and Lee counties said.

Gary McAlpin, Collier County government's coastal zone management director, said some beaches appeared to have sustained significant sand loss and erosion from the high tides and waves kicked up by Debby.

"The beaches got beat up pretty good," he said.

Seaweed and other debris littered Southwest Florida beaches after the storm, and a sandbar was created along a stretch of Naples beach that left a pool of water on the land side of the sandbar.

Near the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club, drainage pipes have been exposed by the beach erosion.

Jason Parsons, the hotel's general manager, said the resort experienced sand loss and the beach isn't as wide as normal, but he added that it isn't going to put a damper on the holiday week.

"It's just going to be more crowded on the beach because there is less room to spread out," he said.

The hotel is near one of the spots in Naples where the beach is its narrowest.

"It's not going to completely return to what it was before Debby, probably until a few months," Parsons said.

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Beach managers: Central Naples beaches got the worst of erosion caused by Debby

Targeted Attacks Against Aerospace Industry Use Sykipot Malware

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New email-based attacks, some of which target the aerospace industry, are distributing new variants of the Sykipot information stealing malware, according to researchers from security firm AlienVault.

"We have detected a new wave of Sykipot campaigns that has been running during the past weeks," AlienVault Labs manager Jaime Blasco, said Monday in a blog post. "There are several changes between the new Sykipot campaigns and the older ones."

There are clues suggesting that these attacks originated in China, although this cannot be confirmed with one hundred percent certainty, Blasco said Wednesday.

The rogue emails sent in the new attacks no longer distribute malicious attachments that exploit vulnerabilities in Adobe Reader, Microsoft Excel or Internet Explorer to install Sykipot.

Instead, they contain links to compromised websites that exploit a 2011 Flash Player vulnerability or a yet-to-be-patched vulnerability in the Microsoft XML Core Services (MSXML) to install the malware.

The MSXML vulnerability is believed to have been exploited in June attacks that prompted Google to warn its Gmail users about state-sponsored attacks. Microsoft released a manual fix for this vulnerability on June 12.

However, the company should provide a proper automatic security patch as soon as possible because the number of attacks that exploit it are increasing, Blasco said.

The Sykipot Trojan program has been used during the past year in targeted attacks against U.S. federal agencies, defense contractors and other organizations that store sensitive data on their computer systems.

One of the new Sykipot attack campaigns targeted potential attendees to the 2013 IEEE Aerospace Conference, a conference intended for aerospace experts, academics, military personnel and industry leaders.

Each Sykipot variant is tailored for a particular group of targets, Blasco said. For example, in January, AlienVault researchers found a version designed to bypass two-factor authentication based on PC/SC x509 smart cards, which commonly used for access management in the defense sector.

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Targeted Attacks Against Aerospace Industry Use Sykipot Malware

Do honeybees hold the key to longevity?

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PHOENIX, AZ. -Do honeybees hold the key to longevity?

Scientists at Arizona State University have discovered that older honey bees effectively reverse brain aging when they take care of baby bees,a phenomenon that could have implications for humans.

While current research on human age-related dementia focuses on potential new drug treatments, researchers say these findings suggest that social interventions may be used to slow or treat age-related dementia.

In a study published in the scientific journal Experimental Gerontology, a team of scientists from ASU and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, led by Gro Amdam, an associate professor in ASU's School of Life Sciences, presented findings that show that tricking older, foraging bees into doing social tasks inside the nest causes changes in the molecular structure of their brains.

"We knew from previous research that when bees stay in the nest and take care of larvae -- the bee babies -- they remain mentally competent for as long as we observe them," said Amdam. "However, after a period of nursing, bees fly out gathering food and begin aging very quickly. After just two weeks, foraging bees have worn wings, hairless bodies, and more importantly, lose brain function -- basically measured as the ability to learn new things. We wanted to find out if there was plasticity in this aging pattern so we asked the question, 'What would happen if we asked the foraging bees to take care of larval babies again?"

During experiments, scientists removed all of the younger nurse bees from the nest -- leaving only the queen and babies. When the older, foraging bees returned to the nest, activity diminished for several days. Then, some of the old bees returned to searching for food, while others cared for the nest and larvae. Researchers discovered that after 10 days, about 50 percent of the older bees caring for the nest and larvae had significantly improved their ability to learn new things.

Amdam's international team not only saw a recovery in the bees' ability to learn, they discovered a change in proteins in the bees' brains. When comparing the brains of the bees that improved relative to those that did not, two proteins noticeably changed. They found Prx6, a protein also found in humans that can help protect against dementia -- including diseases such as Alzheimer's -- and they discovered a second and documented "chaperone" protein that protects other proteins from being damaged when brain or other tissues are exposed to cell-level stress.

In general, researchers are interested in creating a drug that could help people maintain brain function, yet they may be facing up to 30 years of basic research and trials.

"Maybe social interventions -- changing how you deal with your surroundings -- is something we can do today to help our brains stay younger," said Amdam. "Since the proteins being researched in people are the same proteins bees have, these proteins may be able to spontaneously respond to specific social experiences."

Amdam suggests further studies are needed on mammals such as rats in order investigate whether the same molecular changes that the bees experience might be socially inducible in people.

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Do honeybees hold the key to longevity?

DNA of unborn baby mapped from just mother's blood paving way for new genetic disease screening

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Scientists can now test a baby for genetic disease if the paternity is not known

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 13:00 EST, 4 July 2012 | UPDATED: 13:00 EST, 4 July 2012

Scientists have mapped the complete DNA of an unborn baby - using just the mother's blood.

The breakthrough could allow doctors to test for a range of genetic diseases in future such as cystic fibrosis and Down's syndrome without the need of the father.

It follows a similar study reported last month which required which successfully sequenced a foetus' genome from the mother's blood, along with a sample of saliva from the father.

Routine? Scientists say the discovery brings foetal genetic testing closer to becoming an every day procedure

This time researchers at the University of Stanford in California managed the task using material only found circulating in the mother's blood.

Current techniques used to pick up genetic diseases in unborn babies require invasive sampling, which carries certain risks to the health of the mother and child.

But early diagnosis of such problems can allow doctors to pre-empt whether treatments are needed immediately after a baby is born.

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DNA of unborn baby mapped from just mother's blood paving way for new genetic disease screening

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Cancer Therapeutics Reveals Proof of Concept for Second Development Drug

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MELBOURNE, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Cancer Therapeutics, a company focused on translating cancer biology research into novel treatments for cancer, today announced the validation and performance of a new targeted drug, CTx-294886, in combination with Avastin (bevacizumab Genentech/Roche) in a preclinical model of breast cancer. At the same time the Company announced that it has developed a new High Throughput Screening (HTS) platform for the identification of small molecule inhibitors of protein ubiquitination, a key element in the essential cellular process of protein homeostasis, which is an exciting new target pathway for cancer treatment. Both scientific developments will be presented as posters at the EACR conference in Barcelona Spain on July 7-10 2012.

The anti-tumour response to CTx-0294886, a potent small molecule inhibitor of Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 3 (VEGFR3), was compared with that of the Companys first product CTx-0294945, a potent selective FAK inhibitor. CTx-0294886 in combination with Avastin, showed additional benefits to those previously demonstrated by CTx-294945 (previously presented at the AACR conference in Chicago on the 3rd of April this year). In both cases the small molecules in combination with Avastin inhibited angiogenesis, and increased the duration of tumour response in a model of basal breast cancer. In addition CTx-294886 in combination with Avastin also provided a highly statistically significant increase in the median survival time compared to the Avastin only group.

The new Ubiquitin HTS platform closely replicates cellular ubiquitination pathways, and provides a mechanism for HTS of multiple targets. Ubiquitins are small regulatory proteins that attach to other target proteins allowing their destruction and recycling. This process requires a family of dedicated enzymes, such as ligases, for completion. E6AP, an E3 ligase, was selected to validate the platform. E6AP ubiquitinates p53 and PML in human papilloma virus (HPV) related and other cancers. Both p53 and PML are well known suppressors of tumour growth so substances that inhibit E6AP would be expected to retard tumour growth in cancers such as cervical and head and neck cancers. The platform was able to identify several small molecules that are now undergoing further investigation.

Dr Warwick Tong, CEO of Cancer Therapeutics, commented:

Having achieved preclinical validation for our first product candidate in conjunction with Avastin, we are delighted to be announcing that our second candidate is even more potent at prolonging and strengthening the effects of Avastin. We are excited to have two targeted molecules that will allow rational combinations with other therapies in the fight against cancer. We are now starting to reap the benefits of our highly collaborative approach to drug discovery, working hand in hand with some of the top research institutes in Australia and our international partner, Cancer Research Technology UK.

Dr Ian Street, Chief Scientific Officer of Cancer Therapeutics, added:

The launch of our new Ubiquitin HTS platform opens up the potential to collaborate with industry by screening chemical libraries to address multiple targets in this new and exciting area of cancer biology. We are ready to begin discussions with other companies who would like to work with us to include their targets of interest and screen their chemical libraries using this platform.

The titles of the posters being presented throughout the conference are:

Poster 846: Inhibition of Focal Adhesion Kinase in Combination With Bevacizumab Reduces the Rate of Tumour Revascularization and Increases Survival in a Pre-clinical Model of Basal Breast Cancer by I. Street et al.

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Cancer Therapeutics Reveals Proof of Concept for Second Development Drug

MEDICAL SCHOOL New bill says school should get $15 million

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Posted on | July 3, 2012 | Comments

Newly amended legislation calls on lawmakers to put UC Riversides medical school at the top of the list for any money from the settlement of a federal lawsuit against the Senior Care Action Network health plan.

Until this week, the measure by Assemblyman Jeff Miller, R-Corona, dealt with improving roads needed for fire suppression. It passed the Assembly in May 2011 and was awaiting consideration in the Senate.

Mondays amendments would require the state to give the UCR Medical School $15 million from the impending settlement of what the bill says is the U.S. Department of Justices investigation of the senior health plans payment rates. The states share is expected to exceed $100 million, according to the bill.

Notwithstanding any other law, from any amount paid to the State of California as a result of an investigation into possible overpayments of state funds to the Senior Care Action Network (SCAN) Health Plan and available for expenditure for the purposes of this act, as the highest priority for the use of these funds, fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) shall be transferred to the Regents of the University of California for allocation, without regard to fiscal year, to the School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside, reads the bill.

Millers district doesnt include UC Riverside. The campus, though, is part of the 31st Senate District, where Miller faces Democrat Richard Roth, a Riverside attorney, in one of the states most competitive races. Roth touted his support for the medical school in campaign mailers leading up to the June 5 primary.

By: Jim Miller

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MEDICAL SCHOOL New bill says school should get $15 million

Mariners rally but then fall to Orioles

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SEATTLE Two and a half months after Philip Humber achieved immortality at Safeco Field, and a mere four days after Aaron Cook raised Seattle Mariners manager Eric Wedges ire with an 81-pitch shutout at the same venue, Wei-Yin Chen took the Seattle mound on Tuesday.

For a long while it looked like something magical was going to happen for Chen. And then something totally unforeseen happened for the Mariners, who charged hard after what would have been their most rousing comeback victory of the season.

But in the end, it was the Orioles who rallied last, and best, to pull out a 5-4 victory at Safeco Field.

"That game was an emotional back-and-forth," Wedge said. "Casper (Wells) got us going, and the fight you saw after that no one saw that coming."

After the Mariners scored three in the eighth to tie the game, Robert Andino delivered a two-out homer in the top of the ninth off left-hander Charlie Furbush to provide the margin of victory.

"It was a two-seamer. I wanted to have it sink. It just didnt sink," Furbush said. "It stayed flat, and he put a good swing on it. Its a tough way to lose, after we had battled back. I just didnt get the job done."

Andinos homer to left his first since May 7, and fourth of the year came on a 2-2 pitch and ended Furbushs scoreless streak at 22 2/3 innings. Tom Wilhelmsen was unavailable after being used in three straight games.

"Charlie has been fantastic," Wedge said. "He just left one up in that situation. Hes been good against left-handers and right-handers. I felt he was the best guy to go to at that time."

The Orioles All-Star closer, Jim Johnson, worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his 24th save, and the Mariners stirring rally had an anti-climactic ending

On a night when it looked early like Felix Hernandez again had the electric stuff to flirt with a masterpiece, it was Chen, a rookie left-hander, who flirted with history. And then the Orioles who flirted with disaster.

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Mariners rally but then fall to Orioles

Andino's homer in ninth lifts O's over Seattle – Tue, 03 Jul 2012 PST

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July 3, 2012 in Sports

Seattle Times

Associated Press photo

Seattles Casper Wells broke up Baltimores perfect game with a seventh-inninghomer. (Full-size photo)

SEATTLE Two and a half months after Philip Humber achieved immortality at Safeco Field, and a mere four days after Aaron Cook raised Eric Wedges ire with an 81-pitch shutout at the same venue, Wei-Yin Chen took the Seattle mound on Tuesday.

Something magical and maddening almost happened for Chen. Almost. And then something totally unforeseen happened for the Mariners, who charged hard after what would have been their most rousing victory of the season.

But in the end, it was the Orioles who rallied last, and best, to pull out a 5-4 victory at Safeco Field.

After the Mariners scored three in the eighth to tie the game, Robert Andino delivered a two-out homer in the top of the ninth off left-hander Charlie Furbush to provide the margin of victory. Andinos homer to left his first since May 7, and fourth of the year came on a 2-2 pitch and ended Furbushs scoreless streak at 22-2/3 innings.

The Orioles All-Star closer, Jim Johnson, worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his 24th save, and the Mariners stirring rally had an anti-climactic ending

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Andino's homer in ninth lifts O's over Seattle - Tue, 03 Jul 2012 PST

Freezing all embryos in IVF with transfer in a later non-stimulated cycle may improve outcome

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Public release date: 4-Jul-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Christine Bauquis christine@eshre.eu 32-499-258-046 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology

Istanbul, 4 July 2012: There is growing interest in a "freeze-all" embryo policy in IVF. Such an approach, which cryopreserves all embryos generated in a stimulated IVF cycle for later transfer in a non-stimulated natural cycle, would avoid any of the adverse effects which ovarian stimulation might have on endometrial receptivity during the treatment cycle. Ovarian stimulation has been shown to have adverse effects on endometrial receptivity and the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is also increased when embryo transfer is performed in the stimulated cycle.

Freezing all embryos for later transfer might therefore improve implantation and pregnancy rates and increase the safety of IVF. Presently, the highest success rates in reproductive medicine are seen in the recipients of donor eggs. These are women who have not had ovarian stimulation - their endometrial tissue has not been exposed to high hormone levels, and they are not at risk of OHSS.

However, while the theory of a freeze-all policy seems attractive - and the technique has been commonly employed as a safety measure when OHSS is a threat - no robust systematic studies have indicated whether the cryopreservation of all viable embryos with later frozen embryo transfer (FET) is associated with better outcomes than fresh embryo transfers.

Now, the first meta-analysis on this subject indicates that the chance of a clinical pregnancy is around 30% higher when all embryos are frozen for later transfer than with fresh embryo transfer. The results were presented today at the annual meeting of ESHRE (European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology) by Professor Miguel Angel Checa from the Hospital Universitari del Mar in Barcelona, Spain.

The study was a systematic review of the entire literature, which provided a pool of 64 relevant studies - with three randomised trials - performed before December 2011. The current review was based on information from 633 IVF/ICSI cycles in which 316 were randomised to fresh embryo transfer and 317 to FET. Results showed - based on a relative risk calculation - that the probability of a clinical pregnancy is significantly higher from freeze-all cycles than in fresh embryo transfers (a relative risk of 1.31, which was statistically significant). The miscarriage rates did not show significantly differences between the two groups.

"The pooled data demonstrates that embryo cryopreservation and subsequent FET may improve the outcome of assisted reproduction treatment," said Professor Checa. The study recorded an ongoing pregnancy rate of 38% in fresh transfer cycles, and 50% in the FET cycles.

Professor Checa also explained why FET in a later non-stimulated cycle might improve IVF results. He noted that the multiple eggs generated by ovarian stimulation will increase release of the hormone estradiol from the ovary, which affects the receptivity of endometrial tissue. In addition, some recent studies have shown that ovarian stimulation causes changes to the endometrial DNA pattern, which are not evident in the normal receptive endometrium.

Professor Checa added that the results of his study were "preliminary", but statistically robust. However, with other groups known to be performing similar studies, he urged patience until their results were known. "We are quite confident with our results," he said. "But in our view we should wait until the end of the year for results from other studies to confirm our data and recommend a change in IVF policy."

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Freezing all embryos in IVF with transfer in a later non-stimulated cycle may improve outcome

Single embryo transfer reduces the risk of perinatal mortality in IVF

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Public release date: 4-Jul-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Christine Bauquis christine@eshre.eu 32-499-258-046 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology

Istanbul, 4 July 2012: A policy of single embryo transfer (SET) reduces the risk of perinatal mortality in infants born as a result of IVF and ICSI. The conclusion emerged from an analysis of more than 50,000 births recorded in the Australian and New Zealand Assisted Reproduction Technology Database between 2004 and 2008, where the introduction of an SET policy has been associated with a reduction in overall perinatal mortality for IVF and ICSI babies.

Results of the analysis were presented here today at the annual meeting of ESHRE (European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology) by Professor Elizabeth Sullivan from the Perinatal & Reproductive Epidemiology Research Unit of the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. Professor Sullivan said that from a public health perspective "there is justification for advocating SET as first line management in assisted reproduction with the aim of minimising preventable perinatal deaths".

The study she described included 50,258 births which were of more than 20 weeks gestation and/or 400 grams birthweight following IVF and ICSI pregnancies. Total perinatal deaths were defined as the number of fetal deaths (stillbirths) plus the number of neonatal deaths (deaths that occur before 28 days after birth).

Analysis showed an overall perinatal mortality rate of 16.2 per 1000 births, representing 813 perinatal deaths during the study period (630 stillbirths and 183 neonatal deaths).

However, births following the transfer of two embryos had a significantly higher perinatal mortality rate than births following SET (19.1 per 1000 births and 13.2 per 1000 births). The risk of perinatal mortality for all births following two embryo transfer was 53% higher than those following SET. This difference was especially apparent in births following the transfer of fresh (and not frozen) embryos; births following the transfer of two fresh embryos had 74% higher risk of perinatal mortality than births following fresh SET.

Twins accounted for half the total neonatal deaths and one-third the perinatal deaths. Twins also had significantly higher perinatal mortality rate than singletons (27.8 per 1000 births and 12.4 per 1000 births). However, twins born from SET (ie, monozygotic) had a higher risk of perinatal mortality than those born from two embryo transfers.

Professor Sullivan noted that the voluntary adoption of an IVF policy of single embryo transfer in Australia and New Zealand has been associated with a reduction in overall perinatal mortality for all babies conceived by assisted reproduction methods, which was justification in itself for recommending SET as a first line fertility treatment for non-donor cycles in women aged under 35 years.

Moreover, said Professor Sullivan, there are wider public health benefits from an SET policy. She explained: "The number of embryos transferred per procedure is the major determinant of multiple pregnancy and multiple delivery, which contribute to an elevated risk of preterm birth and low birth weight, and its sequelae. These are risks in addition to those already faced by women being treated for infertility.

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Single embryo transfer reduces the risk of perinatal mortality in IVF

India Biotechnology in India Industry

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NEW YORK, July 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

India Biotechnology in India Industry

http://www.reportlinker.com/p0553099/India-Biotechnology-in-India-Industry.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=Drug_Disc

This report analyzes the market for Biotechnology in India in US$ million by the following Key Sectors: Bio-Pharmaceuticals, Bio-Agriculture, Bio-Industrial, Bioinformatics, and Bio-Services. Annual estimates and forecasts are provided for the period 2009 through 2017. Also, a six-year historic analysis is provided for this market. The report profiles 102 companies including many key and niche players such as Advanced Enzymes Technologies Ltd., Ajeet Seeds Ltd., Anthem BioSciences Pvt. Ltd., Bharat Biotech International Limited, Bharat Serums and Vaccines Ltd., Biocon Limited, Syngene International Limited, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd., Ecron Acunova, Eli Lilly and Company (India) Pvt. Ltd., GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Indian Immunologicals Ltd., Jubilant Life Sciences Limited, Krishidhan Seeds Private Limited, Lambda Therapeutic Research Ltd., Mahyco, Max Neeman, Monsanto, Novo Nordisk India Pvt. Ltd., Novozymes South Asia Pvt. Ltd., Nuziveedu Seeds Pvt. Ltd., Ocimum Biosolutions Ltd., Panacea Biotec Ltd., Piramal Healthcare Limited, Quintiles India, Rasi Seeds (P) Ltd., Reliance Life Sciences, Serum Institute of India Ltd., Shantha Biotechnics Limited, SIRO Clinpharm, Strand Life Sciences, Veeda Clinical Research Limited, and Vimta Labs Limited. Market data and analytics are derived from primary and secondary research. Company profiles are primarily based upon search engine sources in the public domain.

I. INTRODUCTION, METHODOLOGY & PRODUCT DEFINITIONS Study Reliability and Reporting Limitations I-1 Disclaimers I-2 Data Interpretation & Reporting Level I-2 Quantitative Techniques & Analytics I-3 Product Definition and Scope of Study I-3 Bio-Pharmaceuticals I-3 Bio-Agriculture I-3 Bio-Industrial I-3 Bioinformatics I-3 Bio-Services I-3

II. AN INDIAN MARKET REPORT

1. OUTLOOK II-1 Recession and Foreign Exchange Rate Decelerate Industry Growth II-1 Industry Emerges Strong Following Recession II-2 Brighter Prospects Ahead for the Indian Biotech Industry II-2

2. INDUSTRY OVERVIEW II-3 SWOT Analysis II-3 Diversity - Key Strength for the Industry II-4 Major Sectors in the Indian Biotechnology Industry II-4 Government Support for Biotech Innovation - A Boost for the Industry II-5 Challenges Ahead II-5 Concerted Efforts are On to Find a Way Out II-6 Major Industry-Specific Advantages of the Indian Biopharma Sector II-6 Competition II-7

Table 1: Leading Biotech Companies in India by Revenues: 2009-10 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-7

Table 2: Leading Domestic Biotech Companies in India by Revenues: 2009-10 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-8 Exports - A Major Market for Indian Biotech Industry II-8

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India Biotechnology in India Industry

Korle-Bu DNA Centre to help unravel crime

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General News of Tuesday, 3 July 2012

Source: Daily Graphic

The DNA Centre at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital says it has the facilities to assist the law enforcement agencies in the detection of crime.

It said its machines could determine the identity of criminals by extracting DNA from saliva, hair, blood, semen or any other bodily fluid left at a crime scene or on the victims by the perpetrators.

The Director of the centre, Dr Bartholomew Dzudzor, told the Daily Graphic that unfortunately, however, officials at the centre had not been trained in the collection of forensic samples from crimes, adding that the centre would be willing to partner the police if the police could perform that task.

He explained that during the commission of violent crimes, such as murder, kidnapping, rape and robbery, minute traces of blood and other bodily fluids, as well as hair, were left at the crime scene.

He said what was needed was well-trained forensic experts to carefully collect those samples, adding that extreme caution was essential to ensure that the samples were not contaminated.

According to him, DNA extracted from the samples would then be compared to the DNA of suspects and if they matched, the suspects could then be charged with the crime.

"DNA may point at an individual and yet he or she may not be the perpetrator of the crime only if he or she was a homozygous (identical) twin," he said, adding that homozygous twins were formed from the same egg and, therefore, had similar DNA. "Even if he or she is a twin, the police could easily establish where they were at the time the crime was committed and, thereby, establish which of them committed the crime," he noted.

Dr Dzudzor said it would have been easier if the country had a DNA database or if the police had DNA profiles of people who lived close to crime scenes.

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Korle-Bu DNA Centre to help unravel crime

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The Most Bang for Your Travel Buck: Expedia.ca Releases 2012 Insiders' Select List of the World's Best-Reviewed Hotels

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TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire -07/03/12)- Attention: Travel and Lifestyle Editors

Expedia.ca, Canada's leading online travel provider, today announced the Expedia 2012 Insiders' Select results. This annual global review identifies the top hotels available on Expedia.ca and all Expedia sites worldwide based on quality and value scores. Celebrating its sixth year, Insiders' Select rankings are largely determined by the more than 500,000 Expedia customer reviews received during the course of 2011. Hotels that consistently deliver value in the form of competitive pricing, pristine amenities and superior customer service will see that commitment rewarded in their ranking.

This year, 650 hotels from among the more than 150,000 properties available on Expedia.ca are designated as Insiders' Select hotels and made the list after receiving a minimum guest review score of 4.0 out of 5.0. On average, the designated hotels on the list earned a guest review score of 4.4 during 2011, the qualifying year. Marrol's Boutique Hotel, a five-star property in Bratislava, Slovakia, topped the 2012 Insiders' Select list, edging Hotel Al Codega of Venice, Italy. The top Canadian hotel was the LHotel Montreal, listed at number 59. The top ten hotels in this year's ranking include:

1. Marrol's Boutique Hotel (Bratislava, Slovakia)

2. Hotel Al Codega (Venice, Italy)

3. Hotel Royal Corin (Costa Rica)

4. Hilton Garden Inn Aberdeen (Aberdeen, Scotland)

5. Four Seasons Miami (Miami, Florida)

6. Madison Hotel Hamburg (Hamburg/Hanover, Germany)

7. Element Omaha Midtown Crossing (Omaha, Nebraska)

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The Most Bang for Your Travel Buck: Expedia.ca Releases 2012 Insiders' Select List of the World's Best-Reviewed Hotels