Archive for May, 2008

Exxel Energy Corp. Announces Effective Date of Share Consolidation …

Friday, May 30th, 2008

Source: FOXBusiness (Original Article)

HOUSTON, TEXAS, May 30, 2008 (Marketwire via COMTEX) —-Share Consolidation and Name Change

Exxel Energy Corp. (TSX VENTURE:EXX) (”Exxel” or the “Company”) announces that
effective today, the Company’s shares will be consolidated on the basis of twenty (20) old shares for one (1) new share (the
“Share Consolidation”). The Share Consolidation was approved by the Company’s shareholders at the Company’s Special General
Meeting held on April 4, 2008. In addition, effective today, the Company’s name will change from “Exxel Energy Corp.” to “XXL
Energy Corp.” (the “Name Change”). The Name Change was previously approved by the Company’s board of directors. The Company
intends to file Articles of Amendment in relation to the Name Change on or about May 30, 2008. Both the Share Consolidation
and the Name Change have been approved by the TSX Venture Exchange.

Immediately prior to the commencement of trading
this morning, the Share Consolidation and Name Change will occur and the Company’s trading symbol will change from “EXX” to
“XL”. Concurrently, the Company’s website address will change from www.exxelenergy.com to www.xxlenergy.com.

Notice
was previously sent to to all warrant and stock option holders describing how the Share Consolidation will affect the number
of shares and the exercise price per share under each holder’s warrants or stock options. No actions, such as the delivery
of warrant certificates or stock option agreements, are required to be taken by holders of warrants or stock options in connection
with the Share Consolidation. The Company also entered into a first supplemental indenture effective May 30, 2008 (the “First
Supplemental Indenture”) to the common share purchase warrant indenture dated August 8, 2007 (the “Warrant Indenture”) between
the Company and Computershare Trust Company of Canada. The First Supplemental Indenture reflects the Name Change and makes
the necessary adjustments Cheap Domains to the exercise price and the …continue reading

Teva launches Wellbutrin XL generic

Thursday, May 29th, 2008

Source: CNNMoney.com (Original Article)

NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Israeli generic drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. said Friday it launched a generic version of GlaxoSmithKline PLC’s antidepressant Wellbutrin XL in the 150 mg dosage.

Teva began selling the 300 mg version of the drug in December 2006.

According to IMS Health data, Wellbutrin XL 150 mg tablets had U.S. sales of $930 million for the year ended March 31, 2008.

American Depositary Shares American Express Gold Card of Teva rose 33 cents to $45.45 in morning trading. 

Bond insurer Security Capital names new CFO

Tuesday, May 27th, 2008

Source: Reuters (Original Article)

NEW YORK, May 27 (Reuters) - Security Capital Assurance Ltd
(SCA.N: Quote, Profile, Research), a Bermuda-based bond insurer, on Tuesday said it named
Elizabeth Keys as chief financial officer effective June 1,
replacing David Shea.

Keys, who was previously head of financial planning and
analysis, will report directly to Chief Executive Paul
Giordano, the company said in a statement.

Shea is leaving to pursue other opportunities, but will
remain as an adviser until June 15, SCA said.

SCA, spun off by Bermuda insurer XL Capital Ltd (XL.N: Quote, Profile, Research)
nearly two years ago, has seen its business severely dented by
unrealized mark-to-market losses on financial guarantees
written as credit derivatives.

The company reported a $96.8 million loss in the first
quarter, and has ceased writing new business. The company’s
shares are in danger of being delisted by the New York Stock
Exchange, after falling below a listing American Express Blue Sky threshold.
(Reporting by Lilla Zuill; Editing by Gary Hill)

Knock passenger numbers up 25%

Sunday, May 25th, 2008

Source: RTE.ie (Original Article)

Ireland West Airport Knock said its passenger numbers rose by 25% to over 177,000 passengers in the first four months of the year.

Knock airport said the Easter break was the busiest on record with 30,000 passengers travelling through the Co Mayo airport.

New routes to Bristol with Ryanair, London Gatwick with XL.com and Glasgow with BMIbaby have been added in recent months and have been a significant factor in this growth.

Knock expects UK passengers to pass the half a million mark this year, while its overall American Express Credit Card passenger numbers are expected to hit the 700,000 mark.

XL Airways to begin using new 737-900s from Manchester

Thursday, May 22nd, 2008

Source: Cheapflights.co.uk (Original Article)

XL Airways is to expand the number of seats available on several of its services from Manchester Airport thanks to its investment in a new generation of aircraft.

The carrier will begin using Boeing 737-900s from May 29 this year. These planes have 26 more seats than their predecessors, the B737-800s, and as such there will be more space for passengers on XL’s flights from the northern hub.

Destinations served by the airline bankwest mastercard from Manchester Airport include Spain, the Canary Islands and Egypt.

Atlas Spine Launches Stature(TM) Vertebral Body Replacement System

Wednesday, May 21st, 2008

Source: PR Newswire (press release) (Original Article)

JUPITER, Fla., May 22 /PRNewswire/ — Atlas Spine, Inc., a spinal
technology development company whose focus is on fusion and non-fusion
products, announced today the national launch of the STATURE Vertebral Body
Replacement System. The STATURE VBR is a radiolucent MIS compatible spacer
system designed to utilize a self-distracting technique in the treatment of
various pathologies of the thoracic and lumbar spine.

“After significant developmental work and clinical evaluation, it is
rewarding to see the enthusiasm towards STATURE by an increasing group of
clinicians. Their feedback and support drives our confidence in STATURE’s
performance as its use multiplies in surgeries across the nation,” says
Bart Doedens, President and CEO of Atlas Spine.

The STATURE VBR is an evolution in the PEEK spacer arena. Traditionally
spacer products have been met with the tedious challenges of implanting an
appropriately sized device through a small access. Oftentimes these
challenges require more aggressive methods with compromised results. The
STATURE VBR’s unique geometry and self-distracting capabilities overcome
these challenges and allow the surgeon to more easily and effectively
restore the natural anatomic height and sagittal balance in severely
compromised spaces.

The implants are manufactured from PEEK Optima(R), an implant grade
material with biomechanical characteristics similar to that of natural
cortical bone. They are available in a variety of sizes and geometric
options to accommodate the patient’s specific anatomical requirements.

The STATURE system is complimented by the BACK-PAK(TM) DS Atlas Spine’s
comprehensive disc preparation set. MIS compatible as well, the BACK-PAK DS
includes proprietary instruments designed to maximize proficiency and
provide optimum weight, balance, feel and control for surgeons.

Atlas Spine, headquartered in Jupiter, Florida, is a privately held
company whose core strength is the development interest rate calculator and marketing of spinal
instruments and …continue reading

Summer holiday sizzlers in the Caribbean

Tuesday, May 20th, 2008

Source: Easier (press release) (Original Article)

Summer holiday sizzlers in the Caribbean

21 May 2008

With a myriad of islands, each with its own heritage, culture and personality, the Caribbean remains a popular destination for holidaymakers. Whilst the high season runs from December to May, there’s plenty to do and see during the summer months too, from carnivals and cricket to turtles and trekking through rainforests.

With some excellent bargains from long-haul tour operator Tropical Sky, there is plenty to entice visitors to these beautiful laid-back islands. Such as:

Cricket & Calypso In Grenada
Known as the “Spice Island” as it is a high producer of nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves, Grenada offers more than just beautiful beaches with its Grand Etang National Park, a rainforest surrounding a breathtaking volcanic lake. Trails are well marked for hiking and walking the area, whether for a 20-minute stroll or day-long treks.

Cricket fans will enjoy the new national stadium in the capital of St George’s, which plays host on 27 and 29 June to two One Day International cricket matches between The West Indies and Australia.

Whilst in August, visitors can participate in the annual carnival, which offers a feast of music, dancing, calypso and street theatre. The island’s biggest party culminates with the Parade of the Bands on 12 August through the streets of St. Georges.

In June, stay for seven nights and only pay for six at the newly re-opened LaSource for £1,199 per person. The price with Tropical Sky includes accommodation on an all-inclusive basis, flights from London Gatwick with XL Airways, one complimentary spa treatment each day in the Oasis Spa, all taxes, surcharges and resort transfers. Certified divers are entitled to one complimentary dive per day during their stay.

Turtle-y Tobago
Sitting outside of the hurricane belt, Tobago enjoys the best of the Caribbean weather. Visit in mid-July Low Interest Credit Card and enjoy the two-week long Tobago …continue reading

Analysis of Ulcerative Colitis (UC) Time to Symptom Resolution …

Monday, May 19th, 2008

Source: PR Newswire (press release) (Original Article)

SAN DIEGO, May 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — A post hoc analysis showing
time to symptom resolution data from a study (study 302) of Shire plc’s
(LSE: SHP, Nasdaq: SHPGY) ulcerative colitis (UC) drug, LIALDA(TM), will be
presented today at Digestive Disease Week (DDW). Study 302 (further
referred to as “Kamm study,” led by Dr Michael A. Kamm, from St Mark’s
Hospital in London, UK), demonstrated LIALDA was effective in inducing
remission in patients with active, mild to moderate ulcerative colitis
compared to placebo and these study results were published in the January
2007 issue of Gastroenterology.

“The time between initiation of therapy and initial symptom resolution
is an important endpoint in the treatment of UC for both patients and
physicians,” said Gary Lichtenstein, director of the Inflammatory Bowel
Disease Program at the University of Pennsylvania, investigator on this
post hoc analysis. “This analysis was important as it showed LIALDA
benefits patients by significantly lowering the time it takes patients to
experience relief from their UC symptoms as compared to placebo.”

Time to initial symptom resolution on LIALDA

Poster Presentation: May 20, 2008, San Diego Convention Center — Sails
Pavilion, #T1140

A post hoc analysis of the Kamm study (study 302) examined the
treatment time required for patients to experience initial symptom
resolution over eight weeks. In this analysis, time to initial symptom
resolution was assessed as either the time between the first dose of study
medication and the first day of symptom resolution (rectal bleeding or
normalization of stool frequency or both) or the time between the first
dose of study medication and the first day of three consecutive days of
symptom resolution. Initial symptom resolution of rectal bleeding,
normalization of stool frequency or both was assessed by a modified
UC-Disease Activity Index (UC-DAI) scoring system. Resolution of symptoms
was defined for Aussie MasterCard both rectal bleeding and stool frequency …continue reading

Dr. Ray Watts, chair of UAB neurology, says more options available …

Sunday, May 18th, 2008

Source: The Birmingham News - al.com (Original Article)

New medications coupled with better understanding of
Parkinson’s disease are helping doctors provide
patients with more effective, longer-acting treatments, says
Dr. Ray L. Watts, chair of neurology at the University of
Alabama at Birmingham.

“We are improving therapies that help control the
Parkinson’s symptoms and improve motor function and
other functions,” Watts said. “There is new
evidence that the earlier and better we do that, the brain
is plastic enough that it improves the long-term
outcome.”

More than 1.5 million Americans, most of them over age 50,
have Parkinson’s disease, according to the National
Parkinson Foundation. The neurodegenerative condition is
marked by tremors, imbalance and lack of coordination. The
number of people with Parkinson’s disease is expected
to jump sharply in coming years as Baby Boomers age.

In recent years, doctors have changed their approach to
treating Parkinson’s disease, Watts said. For decades,
levadopa, an amino acid commonly called L-dopa, has been a
mainstay for managing Parkinson’s. The drug increases
levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which relieves many
of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

But L-dopa has been problematic. Even though it provides
relief, over time it looses effectiveness, and eventually
patients have to cope with side effects that are nearly as
bad the disease itself.

As a result, doctors didn’t start treatment with
L-dopa until it was absolutely necessary because they felt
the sooner treatment started, the sooner it would fail.

But that has changed as new and better drugs are coming
onto the market, and research is showing that the sooner
Parkinson’s is treated, the better.

“Now, we don’t withhold symptomatic
therapy,” Watts said. “We move to it earlier.
Then, in 10, 20 or 30 years you get a better outcome.”

For one thing, longer-acting drugs have helped improve
quality of life because they House And Garden Article 15535 reduce the high and lows
Parkinson’s …continue reading

Shorter men enjoy ready-made apparel

Saturday, May 17th, 2008

Source: Tulsa World (Original Article)

NEW YORK — Legions of shorter men in the country are increasingly discovering specialty stores just for them.

For 5-foot-5 Josh Rogers, the first trip to Jimmy Au’s For Men 5′8″ and Under was memorable.

” Everything was a possibility. It wasn’t like I was going to have to settle for that one weird thing that fit,” said Rogers, a New York City resident who wears a 36 short.

And the custom-made mannequins were eye level.

Only a handful of stores cater exclusively to shorter men. But in recent years, the Internet has spread awareness of such shops and helped attract customers from around the country.

The lack of choices in chain stores is partly a matter of economics. Buying too-big clothes and scissoring away sleeves and pant legs has long been the norm for shorter men, giving retailers scant incentive to incur the extra cost of stocking sizes for them.

Shorter men can also “roll over” into the young men’s department, said Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst for research firm NPD Group. As a result, national retailers don’t realize the market’s potential, he said.

“It’s a matter of build it and they will come. (Shorter men) don’t look for small

sizes right now because it’s not there,” Cohen said.

Bigger men, on the other hand, are captive to larger sizes and so stores for them have abounded. Casual Male Retail Group Inc., which owns Casual Male XL (formerly Big & Tall), has about 490 stores across the country.

The discrepancy is despite government statistics showing that there are just as many men shorter than 5 feet 9 inches as those who are taller. And there are twice as many men who are 5 feet 6 inches and shorter as those who are 6 feet 2 inches and taller.

But many men hesitate to walk into a short man’s store, or even a “small” section at a department store, said Alan ANZ Credit Cards Au, who runs Jimmy Au’s in …continue reading