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Biogen Idec Receives Fast Track Designation From FDA For PEGylated Interferon Beta-1a For Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis
Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted PEGylated interferon beta-1a (BIIB017) Fast Track designation for relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). Biogen Idec is currently enrolling patients in a global Phase III study evaluating the efficacy and safety of either bi-weekly or once-monthly injections of PEGylated interferon beta-1a in this patient population.
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New Mechanism Fundamental To The Spread Of Invasive Yeast Infections Identified
A group of researchers led by Carnegie Mellon University Biological Sciences Professor Aaron Mitchell has identified a novel regulatory gene network that plays an important role in the spread of common, and sometimes deadly, yeast infections. The findings, which establish the role of Zap1 protein in the activation of genes that regulate the synthesis of biofilm matrix, will be published in the June 16, 2009, issue of PLoS Biology, a peer-reviewed open-access journal from the Public Library of Science.
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Opinion Piece Examines Abortion-Rights Opponents' Response To Connection Between Recession, Abortion
In response to recent news reports from Reuters, the Associated Press and other media outlets tying the recession to an increase in demand for abortion, the antiabortion-rights community is arguing that women are "choosing their own material comfort over the life of their unborn children" -- an interpretation that is "wrong on several accounts" -- Double X contributor Anna Murphy Paul writes in an opinion piece."No one wants her most intimate decisions to be driven by money," but, at the same time, "opting not to have a child you can"t afford to raise can be a realistic and responsible -- if painful -- choice, one often based on taking good care of the kids you already have" Murphy Paul says. She continues, "Nor is the intrusion of economic concerns on childbearing a phenomenon of this recession, or even the loosening of sexual mores over the past half-century; historically, financial hardship has been an ever-present motivation for ending a pregnancy."Murphy Paul cites the results of a 2005 Guttmacher Institute survey that found that nearly three-fourths of respondents said that the reason they decided to have an abortion was that they "could not afford a baby right now," which was the second-most common reason. The report found that the top reason for having an abortion was that children would interfere with women"s education, work or ability to care for dependents, all "concerns that are also largely economic in nature," Murphy Paul writes. She notes that at the time the study was published, "the Dow was still riding high, and the housing bubble seemed it would never pop." Murphy Paul adds that a 1987 Guttmacher survey on the same subject produced results "almost identical" to the 2005 survey.However, "to hear the pro-life activists tell it, women aren"t really struggling with difficult choices -- they just don"t want to give up the luxuries to which they"ve become accustomed," Murphy Paul writes. Abortion-rights opponents promote offers of counseling and no-cost infant supplies provided through "pregnancy re centers" to support women who choose not to have an abortion, but such centers often provide misleading information or offer little assistance beyond the first few months after birth, she says."Pro-life activists are surely right about one thing: It"s tremendously sad when a woman decides that she can"t bring into the world a child whom under better circumstances she would have welcomed," Murphy Paul continues. However, the "harsh rhetoric about selfishness and irresponsibility help far less than an acknowledgement of -- and lasting aid with -- the true costs of raising a child," she writes. According to Murphy Paul, in "the absence of such help, the most responsible act is to face economic reality head-on. For some women, that may mean abortion" (Murphy Paul, Double X, 5/15).
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The 32nd British Transplant Games 30th July - 2nd August 2009

This year the British Transplant Games takes place in Coventry and 900 transplant athletes are preparing to take part. For a handful of these athletes, the Games offers vital training and preparation for other major sporting challenges such as triathlons and marathons. The event organisers, Transplant Sport UK shines the spotlight on these inspiring people, who visibly demonstrate that there is life after transplant, allowing them to train to a high level of fitness against all the odds. The British Transplant Games (BTG) aims to publicly and visibly demonstrate the benefits of a successful organ transplant, whilst promoting the full rehabilitation and wellbeing of its participants and members. By illustrating the power of the gift of life, the Games strive to encourage people to sign the donor register and help save the lives of the 6,000 people in the UK currently on the transplant waiting list. - Interview transplant athletes at the peak of physical fitness, training for marathons and triathlons or even a cross-channel swim - Find out about the training regime involved in making from transplant to the track and field at the Transplant Games - Discover how sport can play a crucial role in physical and mental rehabilitation, helping transplantees reach a new level of fitness - Highlight the value of organ donation by talking to an inspiring human being who has received a life-saving organ from a donor and thrown themselves into competitive sport Steve Deakin Aged 47 and two kidney transplants later, there"s not much that will stop Steve Deakin when it comes to swimming. In 2008, he completed the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon in San Francisco Bay, swimming one and a half miles in shark-infested open water with a four knot current. His training included swimming 500 lengths at his local pool. Last August Steve also joined fellow transplantees in the swim across the Channel. Since his transplant, Steve has volunteered for the role of the Royal Liverpool Transplant Sports Team Manager. Last year he won two silver and a bronze in the swimming events, in Edinburgh and two bronze medals at the World Games. Brian Armstrong Brian, aged 45, had a kidney transplant in 2000, donated by his brother. He won four gold medals at the World Transplant Games in Thailand and regularly competes in the British Transplant Games for the Belfast Adults team. Russell Clinker Russell was only on dialysis for three weeks before receiving a kidney from the donor register. Now, aged 45 Russel was part of the first Olympic distance Transplant Triathlon Team for the 2006 London Triathlon. In 2008, he swam the Channel as part of a transplant team - the first ever team made up of transplantees to swim that stretch of water. With a string of medals under his belt for swimming, Russell hopes to get his first gold this year. Anna Burnett Anna, aged 23 was the 200 metres world champion in 2003 and has over 50 medals to her name. This fashion design student had a liver transplant in 1996, and far from letting it hold her back, she is a formidable member of the Kings College team. In 2006, Anna was one of three finalists in the Daily Record Sports Hero award, putting her in good company at this year"s Games. Notes All the case studies are available for interview. In addition, for further information on the British Transplant Games or for commentary from an expert at Transplant Sport UK, the event organiser, please contact Madeleine Roles, Dominic Dennis or Justine Hoadley at HSL on 020 8977 9132 or email tsuk@harrisonsadler.com Transplant Sport UK (TSUK) is a registered Charity whose main aim is to raise awareness of the need for organ donation in the UK and worldwide. Through organising sports and social events for transplant recipients, Transplant Sport UK demonstrates the benefits of organ donation and proves that you can lead a normal and active life again after transplantation. For further information on Transplant Sport UK and the British Transplant Games, please visit http://www.transplantsport.org.uk UK Transplant is the NHS organisation responsible for matching and allocating donated organs. It is part of NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), a Special Health Authority within the NHS that manages the National Blood Service, Bio Products Laboratory, and UK Transplant. For further general information about transplantation, please contact the UK Transplant press office on 0117 975 7518/7475/7477 UK Transplant


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