First U.S. Service Member to Get Artificial Disc Named TBI Patient of the Month

Plano, TX (PRWEB) November 09, 2012

To honor the millions of Americans who serve in uniform and to recognize the militarys first recipient of an artificial disc, Texas Back Institute announced U.S. Marine Alex Fender as Patient of the Month for November 2012.

Fender became the first active duty service member to receive an artificial disc in April 2004.

We performed extensive research on artificial disc replacement, says Dr. Scott Blumenthal, a Spine Surgeon at Texas Back Institute. After serious consideration and much discussion with Alex, we agreed that it was the best procedure.

Eight years later, Fenders going strong. The surgeons and staff at Texas Back Institute named him Patient of the Month to honor his military service as a U.S. Marine, and to recognize his pioneering attitude for ADR.

Fusion was not the right option for me, says Fender I thought ADR had the best likelihood to give me the full range of motion and lifestyle I needed to get on with my life.

He was up and walking pain-free just hours after his surgery. He had no complications, served four more years on Active Duty, and was honorably discharged in 2008.

Today, Fender is a successful entrepreneur in Dallas. He now serves as CEO of Funnel Science, an internet marketing and SEO agency.

Fender is well aware, however, that many of his friends and former colleagues in uniform do not make an easy transition into civilian life. Military service-members face a tough 12% unemployment rate and often-severe medical barriers, which can impede or prevent civilian employment.

Staying healthy is objective number one, says Fender. You cant get on with your life if youre not able to get up and go to work. TBI gave me that opportunity, and Im glad to be an example of how well this surgery works.







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Miami Home Prices Increase for Fifth Consecutive Month


Miami, Florida (PRWEB) May 22, 2012

For the fifth consecutive month, Miami home prices posted strong gains in April. The median sales price of condominiums in the Miami-Dade County increased 30 percent to $ 150,000 compared to a year earlier, according to the 25,000-member MIAMI Association of REALTORS and the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system. The median sales price of single-family homes rose 8.2 percent to $ 183,000. The median sales prices for non-distressed properties sold in April in Miami-Dade were $ 253,400 for single-family homes and $ 246,250 for condominiums.

Miami single-family home and condominium prices continue to trend upwards due to the record demand experienced last year, said Martha Pomares, 2012 Chairman of the Board of the MIAMI Association of REALTORS. Price appreciation should continue due to limited supply and strong demand from both U.S. and international buyers and investors.

Statewide median sales prices in April increased 10.2 percent to $ 144,350 for single-family homes and 16.1 percent to $ 108,000 for condominiums, according to data from Florida Realtors Industry Data and Analysis department and vendor partner 10K Research and Marketing. The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $ 177,400 in April, a 10.1 percent increase from April 2011.

The April average sales price for single-family homes in Miami-Dade County increased 17 percent, from $ 355,342 in 2011 to $ 415,046 in 2012. The average sales prices for condominiums jumped 22.3 percent, from $ 242,616 to $ 293,717. The average sales prices for non-distressed properties sold in April in Miami-Dade were $ 626,877 for single-family homes and $ 414,664 for condominiums.

The sales of existing single-family homes in Miami-Dade increased 7.2 percent in April, from 830 to 890, compared to record sales levels in April 2011. Sales of condominiums were down 12.0 percent, from 1,404 to 1,237, compared to April 2011.

Statewide sales of existing single-family homes totaled 17,544 in April 2012, down 0.7 percent compared to a year ago. Statewide condominium sales totaled 9,765, down 4.9 percent from those sold in April 2011. Nationally, sales of existing single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, and co-ops increased 3.4 percent from March and were 10 percent higher than they were in April 2011, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

The Miami residential real estate market continues to show remarkable strengthening compared to the rest of the nation, said 2012 MIAMI Association of REALTORS Residential President Patricia Delinois. Miami is unique in many ways, including being the top market in nation for foreign buyers and investors. There are many benefits to living and working in Miami, which is why migrating U.S. residents and retiring baby boomers as well as vacation and second home buyers, and global business headquarters are increasingly attracted to our amazing city.

Inventory Continues Sharp Decline

Over the last year, the inventory of residential listings in Miami-Dade County has decreased 34 percent from 17,897 to 11,878. Compared to the previous month, the total inventory of homes dropped 4.04 percent. Total housing inventory nationally rose 9.5 percent at the end of April but was 20.6 percent below a year ago.

Distressed Properties

Strong demand for bank-owned (REO) properties and improved processing of short sales has resulted in rapid absorption of distressed listings and contributed to price appreciation. In April, 47 percent of all closed residential sales in Miami-Dade County were distressed, including REOs (bank-owned properties) and short sales, compared to 59 percent in April 2011 and 49 percent the previous month.

International Buyers Fuel Cash Sales

In Miami-Dade County, 64 percent of total closed sales in March were all-cash sales, compared to 65 percent in March and 63 percent a year earlier. Cash sales accounted for 46 percent of single-family and 77 percent of condominium closings. Nearly 90 percent of international buyers in Florida purchase properties all cash. Nationally, all-cash sales fell to 29 percent in April – from 32 percent in March and 21 percent in April 2011 – reflecting the stronger presence of international buyers in the Miami real estate market.

Note: Statistics in this news release may vary depending on reporting dates. Statistics reported by MIAMI are not impacted by NARs rebenchmarking efforts. MIAMI reports exact statistics directly from its MLS system.

About the MIAMI Association of REALTORS

The MIAMI Association of REALTORS was chartered by the National Association of Realtors in 1920 and is celebrating more than 90 years of service to Realtors, the buying and selling public, and the communities in South Florida. Comprised of four organizations, the Residential Association, the Realtors Commercial Alliance, the Broward County Board of Governors, and the International Council, it represents more than 25,000 real estate professionals in all aspects of real estate sales, marketing, and brokerage. It is the largest local association in the National Association of Realtors, and has partnerships with more than 100 international organizations worldwide. MIAMIs official website is http://www.miamire.com.

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May is Arthritis Awareness Month and HealthyAnswers.com Relates New Findings


Delray Beach, FL (PRWEB) May 21, 2012

HealthyAnswers.com reports that May is Arthritis Awareness Month and that there are new research findings in the understanding and treatment of the rheumatoid type of arthritis. RA is an autoimmune condition which affects women more than men the reason why is unknown.

New Search Engine Launches This Month Designed For Older Internet Users

Fareham, Hampshire (PRWEB UK) 8 May 2012

A brand new search engine with a unique take on targeted search results has launched specifically for the older internet user. Designed with 50+ surfers in mind, AskMabel.co.uk is tailored to the search preferences of a mature audience.

Developed by the team behind online portal Mabels.org.uk, AskMabel uses an intuitive search agent to fine tune displayed results to more closely match topics and ages relevant to older internet fans. This level of demographic profiling helps to create a seamless user experience, providing a quicker and easier route to finding relevant information online.

Jon Wickham, Owner and founder of Mabels said, Over 50s are rapidly becoming prolific internet users with traditional desktop and mobile phone access on the increase. It’s very important that information about issues affecting the older generation are easily and broadly accessible. There are so many fantastic web sites and information out there but we found that finding them quickly without wasting valuable time having to search all over the place wasnt as easy as youd think. AskMabel has been designed in conjunction with Mabels.org.uk and uses all of our expertise gathered from years of working with internet users over 50 to help them find suitable answers to their search queries as quickly as possible.

Ask Mabel combines the innovative ability to match and fine tune the results of searches directly to the topic and age of the older internet user with an intuitive, super-clean interface. An information-rich design adds to the user experience, keeping search screens and results pages on topic for clearer, more concise searching, including large font and useful buttons like clear search term.

When entering a search term in to the search box, the user can choose to Ask Mabel to find internet pages related to specific categories such as health, finance, retirement, mobility or homecare or can opt for a Google-powered search. The results page shows the pre-selected web pages determined to be most applicable to the older user.

Latest topical news relevant to the age group is sourced manually and automatically, with headlines shown on the left of all results for convenience. News items are also sourced from the Mabels.org.uk portal, making them highly relevant to the over 50s.

The launch of AskMabel has been driven in part by the meteoric rise in so called silver surfers in the UK over the last 24 months. Research by Nielsen suggests that more than 12 million people over 50 use the Internet regularly. Their studies found that the older generation have embraced the internet, using it to carry out everyday tasks such as shopping or booking a holiday. Driven by this proliferation, niche websites have sprung up from providers such as Saga, womens clothing retailers and a number of cruise lines, targeting the older, tech-savvy internet user. AskMabel helps users to correlate all of this data and access only the most relevant of web pages, making it easy to navigate the internet and find information of interest.

Jon Wickham added, Filtering the users search results to the topic of the search as well as the age group of the user is the first steps to a much improved internet browsing experience and believes is the way forward in attracting the quality and value content we all strive for.

To find out more about AskMabel and to conduct a tailored search, visit http://www.askmabel.co.uk







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New Search Engine Launches This Month Designed For Older Internet Users

Fareham, Hampshire (PRWEB UK) 8 May 2012

A brand new search engine with a unique take on targeted search results has launched specifically for the older internet user. Designed with 50+ surfers in mind, AskMabel.co.uk is tailored to the search preferences of a mature audience.

Developed by the team behind online portal Mabels.org.uk, AskMabel uses an intuitive search agent to fine tune displayed results to more closely match topics and ages relevant to older internet fans. This level of demographic profiling helps to create a seamless user experience, providing a quicker and easier route to finding relevant information online.

Jon Wickham, Owner and founder of Mabels said, Over 50s are rapidly becoming prolific internet users with traditional desktop and mobile phone access on the increase. It’s very important that information about issues affecting the older generation are easily and broadly accessible. There are so many fantastic web sites and information out there but we found that finding them quickly without wasting valuable time having to search all over the place wasnt as easy as youd think. AskMabel has been designed in conjunction with Mabels.org.uk and uses all of our expertise gathered from years of working with internet users over 50 to help them find suitable answers to their search queries as quickly as possible.

Ask Mabel combines the innovative ability to match and fine tune the results of searches directly to the topic and age of the older internet user with an intuitive, super-clean interface. An information-rich design adds to the user experience, keeping search screens and results pages on topic for clearer, more concise searching, including large font and useful buttons like clear search term.

When entering a search term in to the search box, the user can choose to Ask Mabel to find internet pages related to specific categories such as health, finance, retirement, mobility or homecare or can opt for a Google-powered search. The results page shows the pre-selected web pages determined to be most applicable to the older user.

Latest topical news relevant to the age group is sourced manually and automatically, with headlines shown on the left of all results for convenience. News items are also sourced from the Mabels.org.uk portal, making them highly relevant to the over 50s.

The launch of AskMabel has been driven in part by the meteoric rise in so called silver surfers in the UK over the last 24 months. Research by Nielsen suggests that more than 12 million people over 50 use the Internet regularly. Their studies found that the older generation have embraced the internet, using it to carry out everyday tasks such as shopping or booking a holiday. Driven by this proliferation, niche websites have sprung up from providers such as Saga, womens clothing retailers and a number of cruise lines, targeting the older, tech-savvy internet user. AskMabel helps users to correlate all of this data and access only the most relevant of web pages, making it easy to navigate the internet and find information of interest.

Jon Wickham added, Filtering the users search results to the topic of the search as well as the age group of the user is the first steps to a much improved internet browsing experience and believes is the way forward in attracting the quality and value content we all strive for.

To find out more about AskMabel and to conduct a tailored search, visit http://www.askmabel.co.uk







In Honor of the National Military Appreciation Month, the Made In America Store Presents a Military Spouse Day Promotion


Elma, New York (PRWEB) May 07, 2012

All month long, the nation is going to recognize the men and women who have made the commitment to defend our freedom. May 11th is Military Spouses Appreciation Day and takes part during National Military Appreciation Month. Specifically, the Made In America Store will be offering special deals on their online store (http://www.MadeInAmericaStore.com) through promotional codes all month long.

For Military Spouse Appreciation Month, the Made In America Store will be offering 100% American made United States of America Flags for $ 20, instead of the usual $ 30. The 3 x 5 American flag is made of nylon and every star is stitched on from Allied Flags. The embroidered nylon flags have two metal rings to help fasten the flag to any pole.

Consumers can view the 3×5 Allied American Flags by visiting http://www. MadeInAmericaStore.com

Military Spouses looking to take advantage of the Made In America Stores promotion can use promo code SPOUSES at the end of their purchase to benefit from the flag discount.

The Made In America Store is located at 900 Maple Road in Elma, New York and is committed to selling 100% American manufactured products. You can visit http://www.MadeInAmericaStore.com for more information or shop our catalog of over 290 vendors that are devoted to producing USA made products. All US military personnel both active duty and retired receive a discount every day. Consumers can also keep up to date news articles, events, photos and contests with Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and Tumblr!







Acupath Laboratory Supports Testicular Cancer Awareness Month with a Full Range of Diagnostic Tests

Plainview, NY (PRWEB) March 31, 2012

April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 8,600 cases will be diagnosed in the United States in 2012. Testicular cancer is not common; it accounts for only 1% of cancers in men and a man’s lifetime chance of developing the disease is about 1 in 270. Still, rates of occurrence have been increasing and according to the National Cancer Institute, testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer in men between 15 and 34 years of age. Treatment is so successful that the risk of dying from this cancer is very low: about 1 in 5,000 but successful treatment is dependent on early diagnosis.

Testicular cancer is one of the most treatable and curable forms of cancer when it is caught early, says Dr. Joon Yim, Director of Genitourinary Pathology at Acupath Laboratories, Inc., an anatomic pathology and cancer genetics laboratory. The danger is that the disease can go undetected in its early stages because men don’t know what to look for or because they disregard signs and symptoms. Testicular Cancer Awareness Month gives us the opportunity to help men understand how the disease is diagnosed and ensure that we catch it early.

Common symptoms of testicular cancer include swelling and/or a lump in one or both testes, with or without pain; a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum; and a dull feeling of pain in the lower abdomen, groin, or lower back. While these symptoms may be caused by other conditions, they should be evaluated by a physician. If cancer is suspected, the doctor will order both laboratory tests and non-lab tests, such as ultrasound. According to Dr. Yim, While there is no blood test that can definitively detect testicular cancer, tests for tumor markers in the blood are useful in establishing a diagnosis and are also used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment and detect recurrences of testicular cancer.

Tumor markers are substances that appear in the bloodstream when cancer is present. Tumor markers such as AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) and hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) may be elevated in cases of testicular cancer. AFP is almost always elevated in nonseminomatous tumors, while hCG may be elevated in both seminomas and nonseminomas. These two types of testicular cancer develop in the germ cells that produce sperm and account for over 90% of testicular cancers. LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), an enzyme found in many body tissues, is released into the bloodstream when cellular damage occurs. LDH is not specific for testicular cancer but can provide additional information that is useful in staging and risk assessment.

If blood tests show elevated levels of tumor markers and if ultrasound confirms the presence of a mass in the testicle, the usual procedure is to remove the entire testicle and have a pathologist examine the tissue microscopically. If cancer cells are present, the pathologist will determine the type through the use of immunohistochemical and other stains and aid in the staging of the cancer, also determining if it has spread to other organs. Genetic testing may also be performed. There is no known cause of testicular cancer, says Dr. Yim, but hereditary factors do play a role. Brothers and sons of men with testicular cancer are at significantly greater risk of developing the disease. Researchers have recently found the first evidence of specific genetic variations, on chromosomes 5, 6 and 12, that increase the risk of developing testicular germ cell tumors. Genetic testing may be used in screening men with a family history of the disease and in the definitive diagnosis of tumors.

Men of European descent are at greater risk for testicular cancer than are those of African, Hispanic or Asian heritage. Other risk factors include undescended testicles, abnormal development of the testes, Klinefelter syndrome (a sex chromosome disorder), and a family or personal history of testicular cancer. Those individuals who handle pesticides, leather workers, miners, oil well workers, and HIV-positive men also appear to be at higher risk.

Testicular cancer is one of the most curable forms of cancer, with a cure rate in excess of 90%, concludes Dr. Yim, but most types can spread if left unchecked, invading and damaging the other testicle, and metastasizing to the lymph nodes or other body organs, such as the lungs. Early detection and treatment is crucial to a favorable outcome. That’s why Testicular Cancer Awareness Month is so important. It brings attention to the issue and helps men understand how to identify the warning signs.

Acupath Laboratories, Inc. located in Plainview, New York, is an anatomic pathology and cancer genetics laboratory. Acupath’s mission is to deliver fast, accurate anatomic pathology, FISH, ISH, flow cytometry, molecular and cytogenetic analysis in a way that enhances the quality of medical care provided by practitioners while minimizing the risk of error. The research and development team continuously innovates, designing up to date methodologies for testing and new ways for doctors to access, exchange, record and analyze medical information. Acupath is committed to improving efficiencies of practice, superior service and greater patient knowledge and satisfaction. Acupath is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Joint Commission, and certified by the New York State Department of Health (DOH). http://www.acupath.com.



ControlByNet Announces New $10 / Month White Label Hosted Video Surveillance Package for Integrators


Atlanta, Georgia (PRWEB) March 28, 2012

ControlByNet (CBN), a leader in cloud-based, hosted video security surveillance solutions, announced today its new white label package for integrators providing them ControlByNet’s hosted video solution starting at $ 10 per camera per month. The new pricing offers integrators the ability to immediately offer a cloud-based or hosted video surveillance option to small businesses and opportunity to greatly increase recurring revenue.

“Our new white label offering allows integrators to ease into cloud-based security and focus on the core of their business and not on infrastructure. With our hosted solution, i-flashback REMOTE, we worry about the uptime, servers, bandwidth and upgrades,” said Ryan Strange, CEO of ControlByNet. “In addition, the price per camera per month for basic recording is usually in the $ 25 – $ 35 range, so our new pricing provides a great opportunity for resellers and integrators to gain significant recurring revenue.”

CBN’s i-flashback REMOTE provides web-based controls for hosting providers to manage multiple servers, users and accounts. The solution allows users to manage hundreds of remote cameras from a single browser; including Internet Explorer, Firefox, as well as the growing number of connected devices including Windows Mobile, iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Android.

Benefits to the integrator for the new white label offering include:

National Building Safety Month: Going Green and Building Strong Provides Dual Benefits for Consumers, Says IBHS


Tampa, FL (PRWEB) May 07, 2012

Buildings that are both energy efficient and disaster-resistant are a win-win for consumers and communities, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) said today.

May is National Building Safety Month and IBHS is providing guidance on integrating disaster resistance and energy efficiency during Energy and Green Building Week (May 7-13).

Disaster-resistant construction is a core part of green building because a home or business will not be environmentally sound if it ends up in a landfill or washed out to sea following a natural catastrophe, said Julie Rochman, president & CEO of IBHS. Buildings that are durable and sustainable also decrease the amount of materials needed to repair and rebuild following disasters reducing the amount of energy and natural resources needed for communities to recover.

Two-fers building components that provide a dual benefit are the most cost-effective way to achieve buildings that are both sustainable and durable, according to Rochman.

Home Inspection Company Recognizes National Electrical Safety Month


Cleveland, OH (PRWEB) May 6, 2009

The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) recognizes May as National Electrical Safety Month to raise awareness about electrical safety and property hazards. Inspect-It 1st supports this cause and strives to deliver this message to the public through their comprehensive home inspection services.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are more than 13,000 preventable electrical fires each year that claim more than 700 human lives and cost more than $ 1.2 billion in personal property. Many electrical hazards are only detectable by a trained eye. The certified home inspectors of Inspect-It 1st are helping consumers by making them aware of electrical risks and advising them on corrective actions.

“Unlike repair contractors or tradesmen, our inspectors have no ulterior motives and serve solely as informers and educators to clients,” said Kylene Golubski, Vice President of Business Development for Inspect-It 1st franchise. “The majority of homebuyers now know to have an inspection done prior to closing on a home purchase, but many people do not realize our inspectors are also available just to do a ‘check-up’ on the major systems and components, such as the electrical.”

Inspect-It 1st’s licensed home inspectors thoroughly check the electrical elements that have the potential to become hazards. These elements include: the service drop; service entrance conductors; cables and raceways; service equipment and main disconnects; service grounding; interior components of service panels and sub-panels; conductors; over current protection devices; a representative number of installed lighting fixtures, switches and receptacles; and ground fault circuit interrupters.

Inspect-It 1st franchisees also perform residential and commercial property inspections, in addition to a variety of ancillary service that vary by geography. Specialty and niche-market inspections include: roof and mechanical, radon, septic, water quality, builder’s warranty, pre-listing, mobile homes and manufactured homes.

About Inspect-It 1st:

Inspect-It 1st