'Intelligent' surgical knife can sniff out cancer tissue

By Ben Hirschler

LONDON (Reuters) - Scientists have created an "intelligent" surgical knife that can detect in seconds whether tissue being cut is cancerous, promising more effective and accurate surgery in future.

The device, built by researchers at London's Imperial College, could allow doctors to cut back on additional operations to remove further pieces of cancerous tumors.

The technology, effectively merging an electrosurgical knife that cuts through tissue using heat with a mass spectrometer for chemical analysis, has also been shown to be able to distinguish beef from horsemeat.

Surgeons often find it impossible to tell by sight where tumors end and healthy tissue begins, so some cancer cells are often left behind. A fifth of breast cancer patients who have lumpectomy surgery need a second operation.

The new "iKnife" is designed to get round the problem by instantly sampling the smoke given off as tissue is cut through using an electric current to see if it is cancerous.

In the first study to test the device in patients, the iKnife diagnosed tissue samples from 91 patients with 100 percent accuracy, researchers at Imperial College London reported in Science Translational Medicine on Wednesday.

Currently, removed tissue can be sent for laboratory analysis while the patient remains under general anesthetic - but each test takes around half an hour, while the iKnife provides feedback in less than three seconds.

It does this by analyzing biological information given off from burning tissue and comparing the findings to a database of biological fingerprints from tumors and healthy tissue.

"It's a really exciting innovation and a very promising technique for all types of surgery," said Emma King, a head and neck surgeon at Southampton Hospital, England, who was not involved in the research.

Still, she now wants to see how the iKnife performs in a randomized clinical trial.

CLINICAL TRIAL

Zoltan Takats of Imperial College, who invented the device, said he aimed to test it in such a study, involving between 1,000 and 1,500 patients with various types of cancers.

That trial process is likely to take two or three years and only then will the iKnife be submitted for regulatory approval, paving the way for its commercialization.

Takats has founded a Budapest-based company called MediMass to develop the product and he expects to strike a partnership deal with a major medical technology company to bring it to market in North America and Europe.

Hi-tech surgical equipment is being used increasingly in modern hospitals to help surgeons do a better job, most notably with the da Vinci surgical robot from Intuitive Surgical.

The current experimental version of the iKnife cost Takats and colleagues at Imperial around 200,000 pounds ($300,000) to build. Takats said the price would come down once it entered commercial production.

The research was welcomed by health minister Lord Howe, who said it could benefit both patients and the health service by reducing the number of people needing secondary operations for cancer.

The iKnife may also have a place beyond cancer, according to Takats, since it can identify tissue with an inadequate blood supply, as well as types of bacteria present in tissue. ($1 = 0.6613 British pounds)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/intelligent-surgical-knife-sniff-cancer-tissue-182304102.html

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Microsoft and Google Want to Change Patent Law | Wall St. Cheat ...

The battlefield on which major companies are embroiled in?patent disputes may be seeing some changes soon, and some of those fighting one another are the ones pushing for the changes.

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A lot of news has surrounded patent trials between major companies. Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Samsung (SSNLF.PK) have been at each other?s throats for some time over design and technology patents, while?Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) have been duking it out over patents owned by Microsoft that Google?s Motorola Mobility unit has been found to infringe upon.

To some, the seemingly constant and recurring trials and appeals are almost absurd. Now, some of the companies involved in these patent cases see a need to change the rules in a way that might eliminate some of the squabbling and simplify the process of resolving cases.

Congress has already made some attempts at taking the complication out of dealing with patent issues and reducing the frequency of abuses by patent holders. Some Congress members have also proposed legislation that could cut down on patent owners seeking import bans ? as Microsoft has done against Google ? as well as discouraging patent prosecutors by making them pay the legal fees of the defendant if the prosecution loses the case. However, some companies have proved resistant, as not all changes to the patent system will benefit companies equally.

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Some companies depend heavily on patent rights, and a weakening of those rights could do serious damage to the way they conduct business. Drugmakers like Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) would run into serious trouble if they couldn?t protect the patents they spent money researching, and so some of these types of companies are resistant to changes in the ?system.

Those arguing against change might not be loud enough. David Kappos, director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, said, ?We don?t hear the voices we need who will say, ?I?ve got an important business that?s built on the strengths of the [intellectual property] system and I don?t want it to be so skewed so much it disrupts my legitimate business model.??

There is contention even among the companies hoping to see some change to the patent system. Google would like to see changes that reduce the strength of software patents, as this could protect its Android operating system. In turn, Microsoft is resistant to any limitations set on software patents, considering that software is the biggest part of the company?s business.

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Companies with strength in hardware would probably also be for limiting the scope of software patents, but they would oppose limiting hardware patents. In this way, it is hard to imagine that new patent legislation will ever get the full support of the industries that would be affected.

There is one point that Microsoft, Google, and other companies can agree on, and that is so-called ?patent trolls.? These entities buy up patents with the sole intention of using them to squeeze money out of end users through litigation or royalties. Though a revision of the law to curb patent trolls might not stop the feuding between Microsoft and Google, it could go a long way to protect consumers and industries in the U.S.

Follow Mark on Twitter @WallStMarkSheet

Don?t Miss: Intel?s TV Service: OnCue is Coming This Year.

Source: http://wallstcheatsheet.com/stocks/microsoft-and-google-want-to-change-patent-law.html/?a=viewall

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Enhancing Your Bottom Line With Social Media Marketing ...

One of the newest ways to market business online is social media marketing. It may seem a bit overwhelming at first, but getting the right help will make this even easier for you. Continue reading the following information to learn just how easy it is to reach potential customers you didn?t have access to before.

No matter if you are creating a tweet, a blog post or a Facebook piece, be sure your titles grab attention and make readers want to learn more. These types of titles give you major impact; they will help you drive more traffic to your site.

If Twitter is part of your social marketing plan, write tweets that have interesting, compelling and varied content. Tweet tips or suggestions that are relevant to your product. If you combine these practical tweets with more assertive messages, you will create an mix of posts that is appealing to your followers.

Before you hire any social media marketing firm, be very cautious. Many of these types of companies are fraudulent and scam business owners that are inexperienced in Internet marketing. These companies use thousands of bogus Facebook, YouTube and Twitter accounts using proxy servers that automate registration at these sites. Few real people, if any, will see your spot ? even though your hits are up and you pay through the nose to your marketing company.

Social Media

You can use sites like Youtube to help give yourself attention through social media marketing. Visitors will see your videos and have a better idea about what your business is all about. The more you inform visitors before they visit your site, the more your sales will increase.

To get good results from marketing through social media, create useful links that bind all your sites together. Tie in things like your Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter accounts all together. Add in your blog, Facebook and URL to your Twitter profile. Linking your social media profiles together will potentially increase your customer base.

If you?re using social media marketing as a strategy, make sure you answer questions and comment when other users comment. Make this a priority, so your customers know you value their input.

You need to have a ?like box? on your blog that is linked to Facebook. People will find it easier to like your page and give you more of a fan base. By placing this on your blog it lets your consumers ?like? you without even needing to go to your page. Making things easy will make it more likely for people to perform an action.

Games on Facebook are something to look into. It would be easy for you to create a game of your own that is related to your industry or your product. Facebook?s games have proven invaluable for some popular brands, especially when they go viral. Hire a professional to develop a game that you can share on Facebook, if it?s within your budget.

Using LinkedIn with your social media marketing strategy is always a smart move. In fact, you can link your pages directly together using a blog app. Every time you post an article, it will be shared on LinkedIn. This is a time saver, and you will get more exposure when you reach out to your LinkedIn friends and a blogging community simultaneously.

Set up a Twitter account to automatically send out each of your blog updates. You can also choose several bloggers that have good content and put up links to what they write. They?ll be very grateful for your promotion of them, and your own subscribers are likely to get a kick out of the good content.

Attract more customers to your products or your store by using your profile on social media sites. You can announce events like store openings, or provide them with exclusive discount codes. Allow them access to printable coupons or limited time offers, which are just for your followers. People need to find adding you via Facebook interesting to them.

Social media requires you to remain professional when marketing your business. Add a little personality in your introduction, but remain professional. Do not argue; if you have any negative comments you can delete them. Ensure that your personal profile is separate from your professional one!

Social media marketing presents a huge opportunity for your business, but only if you are prepared to address the inevitable negativity that comes with such a public format. While it is nice to be liked, sometimes you must deal with negativity too. Don?t ignore an issue; work with a disgruntled customer to achieve common ground.

Updating your social media websites whenever you post new blog content will help alert customers to visit your site. Your followers will see that you posted new content and rush to read it.

If your company has a blog that you update with content, make sure you highlight new content after publication on social media sites. Your subscribers will know that there is content up that they have not yet seen.

Subscribe to your competitors? updates. Find them on various social networks so you can analyze their techniques. You can opt to do the same and fight for the same type of audience or you can develop a strategy which they have not yet thought of to reach a different audience.

Social Media

Keep in mind that a social media site is not just for posting advertisements for what you?re selling. You can become better acquainted with your customers by using social media. Also, your potential customers can form connections with not only you, but also your brand. Social networking provides ample opportunity for marketing, but it is sometimes better thought of in terms of how it can be used in customer relations.

When working with social media to promote your business, it is crucial you work your promotions into as many social media outlets as possible. It?s well known that Facebook is one of the most popular social sites, but don?t sell yourself short by sticking with Facebook only. You will have more marketing success with greater exposure.

Various surveys have proven that social media is used most heavily on weekdays and during standard office hours for employees. You should focus your posting for these times, even using an auto-poster to put up information for you while you might be engaged elsewhere.

A great way to do your market research is to use social media as a tool in getting feedback on new and existing products. People love to give their opinions on products, so they?ll likely oblige you if you ask them. They give insight as to what they are looking for and what they want, and the best thing is it?s free to do.

A number of services exist that can assist you in your Twitter account managment, and you should use one. There are variations among these services, but most will follow back consumers who are following you and un-follow anyone who does not follow you back in a specified time period. Services such as these can assist you in managing lists and finding new consumers who might be interested in your product.

You should consider holding a contest on Facebook. Every consumer loves the thought of winning something for nothing. Contests can direct some of this enthusiasm toward your brand and provoke excitement about your Facebook page. This is also a good opportunity to talk about your latest products.

Share things only when they are worthy of sharing, and the information is engaging. There?s no reason to share something, just to make a post. Think about whether or not what you?re sharing is true, compelling, or involving in some way. Make sure that it?s something which your readers will enjoy seeing! On a similar note, you should steer clear of quizzes and surveys that provide nothing of value to your page visitors.

Social Media Marketing

Make it simple for visitors to follow your blog. Your subscribe button should not be hidden. When you put it in a noticeable location, it will help your fans sign up easier. Some people have slow Internet, so make your button load first.

Now that you?ve read this, you probably realize that social media marketing doesn?t have to be difficult. Social media sites allow you to market your products or business in a simple, fast and affordable manner. Social media marketing does, however, take hard work, time and dedication in order to work.

It?s important to update your business?s social media profile on a regular basis. Develop a schedule so readers will know when to expect new posts. By regularly updating your content, people will want to keep coming back. Make sure that you set a reminder for yourself to create new posts.

Source: http://rehatched.com/enhancing-your-bottom-line-with-social-media-marketing/

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U.S. sentences man in latest fake cancer drug case

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Montana man charged with selling unapproved cancer drugs was sentenced to five years probation and six months of home confinement, U.S. law enforcement authorities said on Friday. He was also forced to forfeit some $6 million in assets.

The case is the latest in roughly a dozen brought by the U.S. Department of Justice and Food and Drug Administration against distributors of unapproved pharmaceuticals.

Under the latest sentencing, in U.S. District Court in Missoula, Montana, Paul Daniel Bottomley, 48, agreed to forfeit $1.1 million in cash, a 2011 Aston Martin which was sold for $110,000 at auction, and 10 parcels of real estate. The Justice Department said it valued the total forfeiture at around $6 million.

John Roth, director of the FDA's office of criminal investigations, said Bottomley managed to avoid jail time because he fully cooperated with the investigation.

The sentencing comes a day after a British man, Richard Taylor, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and an $800,000 fine for selling a Turkish version of Roche Holding AG's multibillion-dollar cancer drug Avastin to U.S. physicians.

The discovery in late 2011 of fake Avastin in U.S. oncology practices sparked an international investigation. The drugs were sold in the United States by, among others, Bottomley's company, Montana Healthcare Solutions.

In October 2010, Bottomley sold his company to Rockley Ventures Ltd, a subsidiary of Canada Drugs Ltd, an Internet-based pharmacy based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, for $5 million. Bottomley remained an adviser to Canada Drugs.

(Reporting by Toni Clarke; Editing by Mohammad Zargham)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/u-sentences-man-latest-fake-cancer-drug-case-213415099.html

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Former NFL players Hellestrae, Pritchard teaching life lessons at Scottsdale Christian Academy

Thanks to the Internet, it didn?t take long for the 30 to 40 Scottsdale Christian Academy football players to get familiar with their head coach?s top two assistants.

A click or two away, they could find out that offensive line coach Dale Hellestrae played on three Super Bowl teams with the Dallas Cowboys as a long snapper and backup offensive lineman, and that defensive coordinator Ron Pritchard played nine seasons in the NFL with the Houston Oilers and the Cincinnati Bengals and was a star linebacker in the late 1960s under Frank Kush at Arizona State and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Those credentials alone have the attention of high school athletes trying to find their way on the football field, as Kevin Allen takes over the program, bringing in two assistants with NFL playing backgrounds.

?I think it gives you some credibility when you first talk to them,? said Hellestrae, 51, a Saguaro High alum who played collegiately at Southern Methodist. ?For both of us, they look at you and they trust what you?re going to do football- wise.?

Pritchard spent the past three seasons helping out Allen at Chandler Valley Christian. Hellestrae, who had two daughters play sports at Scottsdale Christian, has been helping out SCA?s program before Allen came in.

Coaching works into Hellestrae?s schedule during the week, because he does color commentary on weekends for TV football games, from high school to college to pro. He currently does the color commentary for Cox7 on Rattlers home games.

Pritchard is a former school administrator, who served as athletic director at Gilbert Christian, formerly Surrey Garden.

Allen met 35 players in spring football. It?s now up to 43. Eighteen players graduated from last year?s 9-2 team. So it?s important to get a young team motivated off the bat. That?s where Hellestrae and Pritchard come in.

?I?m fortunate for me as a head coach to have Dale and Ron with their experience in football,? said Allen, who played high school football in New Mexico and never reached the pro level. ?It doesn?t get any better. The teaching that takes place even for our little school, it?s huge for us. We?re so fortunate and blessed to have that. When you add the things about concussions, academics, playing at the next level, we have a great environment of teaching here. This is the best situation I?ve been in as a head coach.?

Both Pritchard and Hellestrae came from a playing era when concussion wasn?t a big topic of discussion ? ?If they said two and you put up four fingers, that was?in the neighborhood,? Pritchard said).

But they know it?s something that has to be addressed among young athletes. They know how compromise needs to come into play at a small school when you?re dealing with fewer players than at the big, public schools, and if a star player?s family decides to go on a 10-day, out-of-state vacation in October, you have to learn to accept it.

?When you have a smaller population, you have to manage your players differently,? Pritchard said. ?You don?t have the depth level. It?s not like the old days of Frank Kush, where if you go down, he says, ?Just move him aside, put in someone else.? I think Kevin would agree, you have to be conscious of how you?re managing the kids emotionally and physically. You?re not just reloading.

?You have to manage people. You have 40 different personalities. It takes time to do that. ? You want to start winning their souls, their minds, to get them to trust you. Coach Allen does a great job with that. Then you can show them how to win, not just on the scoreboard, but win in life, too.?

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Source: http://www.azcentral.com/insiders/richardobert/2013/07/13/former-nfl-players-hellestrae-pritchard-teaching-life-lessons-at-scottsdale-christian-academy/

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