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Women Who Quit Smoking Early In Pregnancy Reduce Risks Of Preterm Birth, Stunted Fetal Growth
Pregnant women who quit smoking during the first trimester and women who never smoked during pregnancy have a similar risk of delivering preterm or very small infants, according to a study published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reuters reports. Premature delivery and stunted infant growth are the most well-documented side effects of smoking during pregnancy, and the risks increase for older women, according to study author Laura Polakowski of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and colleagues. For the study, the researchers analyzed 915,441 birth certificates for infants born in 2005 in 11 states that include information on whether the woman smoked during pregnancy.The study found that 10% of women who smoked for the entire pregnancy gave birth to "preterm but not too small for gestational age" infants, compared with 8% of women who quit during the first trimester. Fifteen percent of women who smoked the entire pregnancy gave birth to full-term infants who were small for their gestational age, while 2% gave birth to premature infants who were small for gestational age. Among women who quit smoking during the first trimester, these outcomes occurred 9% and 1% of the time, respectively.After adjusting for the women"s age, previous preterm births and other factors, the researchers found that women who quit smoking in the first trimester reduced their risk of giving birth to a preterm, normal-size infant by 31%. The risk of delivering a full-term, unusually small infant was cut by 55% and the risk for delivering a preterm, unusually small infant was reduced by 53%. The risks were also reduced for women who quit smoking during their second trimester, although less significantly. The researchers found that the risk reduction was particularly high for older women -- especially those older than age 40 -- who quit smoking during the first trimester. According to the study, the results indicate that the risk of delivering a preterm or small-for-gestational-age infant for pregnant women who quit smoking during the first trimester is "comparable to those who never smoke during pregnancy" (Reuters, 7/21). Don't forget to buy zoloft online no prescription.

Illumina Launches Multi-Sample Indexing For GoldenGate(R) Assay
Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN) launched GoldenGate Indexing, a high-throughput genotyping solution that utilizes multi-sample indexing technology. Researchers may now screen up to 16 times as many samples per reaction as the standard GoldenGate Assay, increasing throughput from 288 samples per day to greater than 2000, while decreasing total reagent consumption. This high-quality genotyping system includes automation control and positive sample tracking through an Illumina Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), creating a turnkey solution for low-complexity screening at an affordable cost per sample. The plexity ranges include 96-plex, 192-plex and 384-plex, which are ideal for screening in the livestock and agriculture market as well as for whole-genome association target validation and quality control applications.

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Fluidigm Introduces New TOPAZ(R) Protein Crystallization Chip That Provides A "Screen To Beam" Solution
In the rarified world of protein crystal hunters, Fluidigm"s TOPAZ® system is the tool that has helped researchers solve the structures of proteins from the Ebola Virus and Avian Flu Influenza. Now Fluidigm is introducing its new 1.96 Diffraction Capable (DC) integrated fluidic circuit which will allow researchers something they have long sought - direct screen-to-beam capabilities without the need to physically harvest a crystal from the device.
Mental Health

Campaign Countdown For Voices Of Industry

The UK"s life sciences companies have just two days remaining to tell the Government what it can do to help them succeed, as medical and healthcare industry specialist MedilinkWM brings its Voices of Industry Campaign to fruition. Designed to give companies in the Life Sciences sector a united voice and combined influence, the Voices of Industry Campaign is gathering views and ideas from a wide range of SMEs, business leaders, agencies, academics and NHS staff. A significant proposal of crucial initiatives that the Government can implement to make an immediate impact on the prosperity of the sector will be delivered to the Office of Life Sciences (OLS) on Tuesday 30 June. Headed up by Lord Drayson, the OLS has requested a copy of the Campaign"s proposal and will review it on behalf of the wider Government, to help it meet the expectations of SMEs. There is even a commitment by the OLS to use the dedicated Voices of Industry website to feedback the progress on the recommendations. Two months ago, the Government and the Treasury stated that Life Sciences (the combination of medical technologies, healthcare, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology) forms the largest sector within the gross domestic product (GDP) of the UK. Government has recognised Life Sciences as one of the three most important drivers of economic growth in Britain, followed by renewable technologies and the digital economy, to trade our way out of recession. With this in mind, the OLS has committed to delivering tangible, valuable investment and support for companies within just 12 months and has issued a challenge to industry to discover what steps can be taken to improve access to finance for SMEs and to stimulate investment. MedilinkWM"s CEO Tony Davis has been a driving force in highlighting the needs and demands of industry in his role on committees reporting to the OLS and the Voices of Industry campaign, focused in the West Midlands, is providing practical suggestions to directly solve many of the current issues. Tony Davis said: "The Government has set us an urgent challenge, so we"ve responded immediately by asking industry for its views and ideas. We have just two days until our roundtable reviews the suggestions so far and draws up an official proposal for Government - let"s make sure they know what SMEs really need to thrive. It"s essential that every professional working in this sector looks at what the Government could do to make it easier for them to grow their business and unleash their entrepreneurial flair. "This sector has the potential to receive an influx of investment to ensure some short-term success stories and positive stories about the economy. I"ve been working to ensure that SMEs can benefit from this investment and become a strong success story themselves. The Voices of Industry campaign is here to give businesses an influential voice that reflects their combined strength and economic importance. " The campaign for engagement will be running for two more days and on 24 June leaders of industry will attend a roundtable to scrutinise every idea and suggestion at the Medical Technology Innovation Centre in Edgbaston. Professionals involved in the life sciences sector are invited to participate by logging onto a dedicated micro site at www.MedilinkWM.co.uk/VoicesOfIndustry, where they can respond to topics, register approval, send an email or even upload an audio clip of their thoughts. Entrepreneur Mick Gordon submitted: "As an inventor, I believe that individuals and businesses should be incentivised to invest in small firms that are developing innovations and inventions by way of serious tax breaks. Although the cut in VAT to 15 per cent was well intentioned, it has had a negligible effect on stimulating the economy, where encouraging the flow of private investment for promising innovations could have a far greater impact." Chief Executive of the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA), Aisling Burnand commented: "These are particularly tough times for SMEs involved in crucial life sciences research, with viable enterprises still struggling to obtain the follow-on investment they need to be able to grow their businesses into the success stories of the future. Industry needs to send out a clear, united message on how to deal with this problem and get investment moving again." Philip Needham, managing director for Cardionetics Ltd, posted: "All we want is the NHS to buy from us. Even with all boxes ticked - Government policy, CE marked devices, field proven, saves lives, saves money, easy to use - there is no simple procurement mechanism for innovations. No one is willing to buy anything just to see if it works. Progress comes from being different, not carrying on doing the same old thing. There"s still no pull, only lots of SMEs (and others) pushing." MedilinkWM


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