It will probably come as no surprise that the pre-dominant activity on SlideShare, according to the company’s CEO Rashmi Sinha, who I spoke with recently about the launch of their new branded channels, is B2B lead generation. B2B sales cycles exceed those of B2C, because the former requires someone be walked through a process, learn best practices and see relevant case studies to arrive at a purchasing decision. And currently, PowerPoint presentations are the popular media used in business to get that done. Read more at www.socialmediatoday.com

In response to an FDA call for comment on the use of online media by drug companies, the trade group proposed a paid search format somewhat similar to that proposed by Google. PhRMA’s format would feature the drug’s branded and generic name, followed by an “abbreviated indication or therapeutic category,” and then, in the left hand corner, an FDA logo reading “FDA regulated” that links to risk information, along with a line warning of risks and linking to the patient medication guide. For drugs with boxed warnings, PhRMA suggested, the line might read “You should be aware of serious risks associated with this product.” For those without a boxed warning, the line would read “All drugs have risks. Click here for important safety information.”Read more at www.mmm-online.com

A new molecule designed to seek out and label cancer cells could help guide surgeons to hidden pockets of disease–a technology that could one day allow for more complete tumor removal and increase a patient’s chances of survival. Seeing red: Infrared fluorescent labels, targeted to cancerous tumor cells, provide a luminescent guide for surgeons trying to remove the lethal tissue. Credit: Nguyen et al. PNAS, doi:10.1073/pnas.0910261107 The molecular label, developed by researchers at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD), works in two ways. It tags cancer cells with a fluorescent marker to highlight tumors for identification and removal during surgery, and it contains a magnetic marker that can be used to evaluate the disease via magnetic resonance imaging. Read more at www.technologyreview.com

The Active Design Guidelines provides architects and urban designers with a manual of strategies for creating healthier buildings, streets and urban spaces, based on the latest academic research and best practices in the field. The Guidelines includes:

The Active Design Guidelines was developed through a partnership of the New York City departments of Design and Construction, Health and Mental Hygiene, Transportation, City Planning and the Office of Management and Budget, working with leading architectural and planning academics, and with assistance from the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter. Other City agencies that contributed to the Guidelines include the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, Mayor’s Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability, Department of Buildings, Department of Parks and Recreation, School Construction Authority, Housing Preservation and Development and the Department for the Aging. Read more at www.nyc.gov

Which drugs will be worth watching this year? Assuming FDA approvals come through as planned - and handicapping that possibility is trickier than ever (see here) - Barron’s compiled a list with the help of a few analysts. The presumption is that, once approval occurs, these meds will likely become blockbusters, that old-fashioned term for the biggest of sellers. And so, in no particular order, here they are… Victoza - the recently approved diabetes drug from Novo Nordisk; Xarelto* - a clotbuster from Bayer and Johnson & Johnson; Prolia* - an osteoporosis treatment from Amgen; Qnexa* - the Vivus obesity pill; Provenge* - Dendreon’s controversial prostate cancer vaccine. * - not yet approved by the FDA Read more at www.pharmalot.com

Sexual rights embrace human rights that are already recognised in national laws, international human rights documents and other consensus statements. They include the right of all persons, free of coercion, discrimination and violence, to: • attain the highest accessible standard of sexual health, including access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services; • seek, receive and impart information related to sexuality; • receive sexuality education; • receive respect for bodily integrity; • choose their partner; • decide to be sexually active or not; • practice consensual sexual relations; • practice consensual marriage; • decide whether or not, and when, to have children; and • pursue a satisfying, safe and pleasurable sexual life. In achieving sexual rights consideration must be given to the responsible exercise of human rights requiring that all persons respect the rights of others WHO, 2002 internet).Read more at gino-memoirofaschizo.blogspot.com