Search

BREATHLESSLY, I stepped into the bus. I put my concessionary pass on the reader and stuttered out a 'thanks' to the driver for waiting. I made my way through a sea of weather-worn faces and sat down, and as the bus swayed on its way, old friends, from school, factories and the trials and tribulations of war talked of children and grandchildren. We stopped at street corners; ladies of a certain age tottered aboard with their trolleys, and the occasional older gent, in shirt, tie and three-button jacket, brandishing a walking sticks as if on parade, his warweary eyes telling tales of harder times, joined us. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

BY far the hardest thing I have had to learn to live with over the years is the fact that after Fr Thomas Naughton abused me he was moved on to another parish where he was allowed to damage other young boys. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

OF ALL places, I was at a funeral when I first noticed that my right leg seemed an inch shorter than my left. Friends had remarked on my limp over the previous six months, but, when I stood tall, the inch-wide gap between the sole of my shoe and the floor was something new. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Reports that a study of genetic variations in young girls proves osteoporosis starts in early in life. Details on the findings of the study; Comments from Vicente Gilsanz, the principal investigator of the study; Information on the relationship between the vitamin D receptor gene and bone density.

Looks at the amount of problems encountered by PacifiCare Health Systems Incorporated's merger with FHP International Corporation. Percentage of decrease in shares of PacifiCare; Financial information on the company; Expectations for the figures attained in the stock market for 1997; Views of PacifiCare investors regarding the issue; Differences between the companies.

Presents information on Apria Healthcare Group Incorporated. How Apria was created by the merger of two big home health-care providers; Expectation of $95 million in second-quarter charges; Strategic alternatives being examined by the company for the future.

Reports that Amgen Incorporated said it expects a modest reduction in the growth of its anemia drug, Epogen. Reasons for expectations; Company's trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market for June 16, 1997; Sales of Epogen for 1996; How drug works; Other related information.

Reports on the national campaign waged by Mitch Cooper and Frank Kilzer to introduce technology found in grocery stores into hospitals to track inventories. Cooper, as a former navy officer and Kilzer, as a longtime manager at a North Dakota hospital; Their promotion of bar codes, as a money-saving effort; The attention that their message is getting.

Reveals that on May 21st, 1997, Sequana Therapeutics Incorporated intends to announce the discovery of an asthma gene. Information pertaining to the gene; What studies conducted by Sequana suggests; Definition of the gene; Performance of Sequana's stock on the stock market; Additional information on the company and its asthma gene discovery.

Declares that painless drilling may be available to dentists in the United States. Approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the first laser device for hard-tissue dental procedures on May 7, 1997; Declaration by proponents of the laser how patients are spared most of the pain of dental work; The goggles needed by patient, dentist and dental assistant, regarded as the one inconvenience; Laser made by Premier Laser Systems Inc. of Irvine, California.

States that the board of Transitional Hospital Corporation will meet to evaluate Vencor Incorporated's attempt to pry its way back into a deal to buy Transitional. Details on Vencor's tender offer; Information on other offers made to Transitional; Information on both business enterprises.

Presents information on the increase in the shares of Transitional Hospitals Corporation, after the company signed a definitive sale agreement with Select Medical Corporation. Value of the sale; Comments from Clifford A. Hewitt, an analyst at Sanford Bernstein & Company; Decision of the company not to identify the name of the second bidder.

Looks at Outdoor Systems of Phoenix, Arizona, focusing on the company's acquisitions in an effort to dilute its exposure to tobacco advertising. Impact of the acquisition of Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing on Outdoor's stock performance on the Nasdaq Stock Market; Other acquistions the company has made since August 1996. INSET: Outdoor Systems' acquisition binge..

Focuses on a labor agreement between Kaiser Permanente and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations. Terms of agreement; Business activities of Kaiser Permanente; Comments from John Sweeney, chairman of Kasier; Advantages of agreement for both sides.

Reports on the possible acquisition of Imagyn Medical Incorporated by Urohealth Systems Incorporated. Comments from Charles A. Laverty, chairman and chief executive for Urohealth; Details on Urohealth and Imagyn; Information on the agreement between the two companies; Amount of anticipated annual savings expected from the combination of the two companies.

Reports on the lawsuit filed by Amgen Incorporated against Transkaryotic Therapies Incorporated. Information on the charges of Amgen against Transkaryotic; Reference to the patents issued to Amgen by the United States Patent Office during the week of April 6, 1997; Response of Transkaryotic to the lawsuit; Closing quotation for the shares of Transkaryotic and Amgen on the Nasdaq Stock Market.

Announces that the California Public Employees' Retirement System (Calpers) in Sacramento, California, will pay average rate increases of 2.7 percent to 11 health-maintenance organizations (HMOs) starting in 1998. Possibility that business owners in the state will pay higher increases than Calpers; Comments from industry analysts; Details on agreement signed between Calpers and a subsidiary of PacifiCare Health Systems Incorporated.

Reveals that Tenet Healthcare Corporation and MedPartners Incorporated has agreed to form a health-care network, which will incorporate 33 hospitals and over 4,000 physicians in California. Information on the agreement; Significance of the agreement to health maintenance organizations; What is included in the agreement.

Ponders why merger attempts by Ivax Corporation continue to fail, with reference to the demise of a proposed merger between Ivax and Bergen Brunswig Corporation. Performance of Ivax's stock on the American Stock Exchange; Reference to a lawsuit filed against Ivax by Bergen; Allegations of the lawsuit; Details on problems which hinder Ivax's success; Why Ivax's merger with Bergen was unsuccessful.

Reports that Agouron Pharmaceuticals was given approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market its drug Viracept, to fight the AIDS virus. Distribution of the drug for both adults and children; Name of another drug approved by the FDA; Performance of Agouron's stocks after receiving FDA approval. INSET: Agouron Pharmaceuticals by the numbers..

Discusses Catholic hospitals, in particular the operations of Catholic Healthcare West, a nonprofit organization sponsored by seven orders of nuns. The management's response to union organizers at a recruiting drive at its five hospitals in Sacramento, California; Views of Catholic hospitals versus investor-owned chains; How Catholic nuns can be as aggressive as for-profit rivals to get market share.

Reports on the demise of Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation's proposed joint venture with Sharp HealthCare of San Diego. Factors which contributed to the failure of the venture; Comments by Michael W. Murphy, chief executive officer of Sharp; Impact of speculation surrounding ventures between for-profit and non-profit hospitals.

Comments on how the two corporations, ITT Corp. and Hilton Hotels Corp. Have faced similar challenges since the 1960s. Assertion that both are unclear about what their companies are trying to be; Hilton's unsolicited $6.5 billion bid for ITT in 1997; Likely response of ITT Chairman Rand V. Araskog, who has fought off raiders in the past; Plans of Stephen F. Bollenbach, Hilton's president and chief executive; Background on both companies.

Reports that researchers have discovered that a powerful AIDS drug made by Agouron Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is safer and easier to use than rival drugs. Effect of findings; Information on the drug; Details on the financial status of Agouron Pharmaceuticals; Comparison to other drugs.

Discusses problems encountered by Sierra Health Services Incorporated with its proposed acquisition of Physician Corporation of America. Impact of a letter issued by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration; Effect of the letter on the performance of Sierra's shares; Statistics on Sierra's shares on the New York Stock Exchange; Comments by a spokeswoman for Sierra.

Reveals that jeans maker Guess Incorporated, has planned to transfer its manufacturing to Mexico and other countries south of the border, after they were accused of illegal labor practices. Information on the accusations made against Guess; Description of the lawsuit filed against Guess and some of his contractors; Comments from Guess's chairman and chief executive, Maurice Marciano.

Reports on the failed test of an experimental drug to treat Lou Gehrig's disease, and its impact on Amgen Incorporated and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Incorporated in the United States. Results of human trials with the drug; Fall in the shares of Amgen and Regeneron.

Reports on the availability of the first protease inhibitor drug designed for HIV-infected children, with reference to an announcement by Agouron Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. Reactions of parents and pediatricians of infected children; Approval of the drug Viracept by the Food and Drug Administration; FDA rules regarding protease inhibitors; Side effects of Viracept.