Monday, December 28, 2009

Stem Cell Research On Various Types of Eye Diseases

We have heard a great deal about stem cell research and countries like America , Japan, China, Europe ,Thailand and Singapore are pursueing unabatedly to use its applications for curing several diseases in the world.
   China and Thailand have gone beyond the stage of research and even leapfrogged to the actual use of the method to  try and cure despite the danger of side effects which can be determined only after several years of clinical trials.Many Westerners strickened with diseases that Western doctors have no cure at the moment braved the ordeal of using stem cells believing the method can provide the answer to their quest for a cure.
The West is more cautious and it could possibly be another 10 years before such operations can be performed on debilitating diseases like cancer, heart complications and liver problems due to the requirements imposed by the Health Authorities.

   However diseases like the loss of vision or blindness could possibly be carried out as such operation does not precariously cause the loss of lives. Blindness is an eye related disease that has affected millions in the world. While   some blindness can be cured like cornea infections or even glaucoma, doctors are dumbfounded when confronted with diseases like age-related  mascular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, diabetes and 100 other types that affect the eye as there is presently no cure. Doctors can only monitor the degeneration of the eyes.
                   
   However, stem cell research have given some hope to people who are blind caused by diseases of the retina. Dr. Michael Young of the Schepens Eye Research Institute and Harvard University discovered from his experiments that stem cells can regenerate the damaged retina .In an experiment on rats caused by bad genes he injected neural stem cells in the retina .Once in the retina the stem cells begin to move over to the damaged retina and transform it to a normal looking retina cells complete with the nerve fibers which joins to the optic nerves.
  
   The experiment has not reached the final stage where the procedure can be adopted as the stem cells injected are not light detectors and until further advances are made to make the regenerated retina successfully transmit to the brain for an optical vision more experiments have to be conducted before the procedure is adopted.

   Dr.  Michael Young’s work when successful will help millions of people with eye related diseases in the world to see again giving them the vision and stop their suffering of living in the dark.


Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Tiger In The Woods

The Tiger Woods scandal was in everybody's lips notwithstanding whether he is a golfer,a golf fan or even a sportsman.It was the talk of the town not because of the golfing prowess of Tiger Woods which is so well known but more on the prowess of the Tiger's claw on women,11 so say the reports and probably counting.
   But what Tiger  Woods had done was nothing abnormal and even those who have scandalized the whole episode matter of fact ,could also themselves be involved in some kind of matrimonial misbehavior.
  Nature has designed the behavior of Man to extend his virility to the opposite sex because of the paramount objective of  ensuring the multiplication of the human specie.When one observe  animals  like tigers they have several encounters with the female during their lifetime following Nature's design to guarantee   posterity survives.
  Why then is there a taboo on Man who have more than one woman ,other than his wife? This is purely a religious edict to prevent promiscuity.But there are exceptions to the rule as some religion allows for more than one wife and in Africa tribal customs allow for multiple wives.
  The dilemma for Tiger Woods is as long as he wants to continue his golfing career and enter the golfing tournaments he will have to think in perpetuity how many more holes he has to play.
  The matter should not be overly criticized and meanful as if Tiger Woods had committed something beyond redemption. The Man should be given a chance to steer back his family affairs to normalcy peacefully.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Coffee

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world.It is believed that it was in Yemen and Ethiopia that the beverage was realised that drinking it had an energetic effect. Commonly known all over the world that if you want to stay awake a cup of coffee could do the work.For some,even in the loo they have to take to let go thus the beverage acts like a catalyst to free the bowels.
From Yemen it went to Saudi Arabia and subsequently coffee was then introduced to other parts of the world including Europe ,Indonesia and the Americas.

 Coffee is produced by seeds and traditionally 20 seeds are placed in a hole at the beginning of the rainy season .Of the 20 that was planted generally only half of the seeds would germinate.
Today coffee is consumed globally and many international companies have become household names for coffee drinkers.Even traditionally tea drinking nations like England and now China have turned to the beverage
 China with a vast population of 1.4 billion people ,when the vast majority begins to accept the beverage and change their drinking pattern could become the biggest coffee drinkers in the world.
  Several brands of coffee manufacturers have also produced coffee in packets which are ready- made such as 3 in 1 where the coffee powder,milk and sugar are already combined and all you have to do is to pour water and mix with the coffee.Manufacturers of chocolates , confectionaries and even restaurants have turned to coffee and introduced it to their products and deserts showing the popularity of coffee.

 However,even with the international brands of coffee in the market there are still coffee that are blended locally and I foresee when coffee is accepted as the common beverage in China, coffee will be blended locally and will vary from place to place to suit local taste.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Fat Is Beautiful

  I like fat women because to me  at least fat women have all the pre-requisites of beauty.They say when a person marries a fat woman he profits by the pounds.

  Speaking lightly,a fat woman gives a person everything and is your mattress,your pillow and your lover.
  Generally a fat woman eats a lot to meet the deamd of her body size and she will not be difficult to please when food is concerned.A husaband brings home food and she will eat anything as everything can be swallowed.

  For a Man,a fat woman prefer to be at home and this gives the Man to move freely without incurring the wrath which most women would pour.In certain parts of Africa, a young girl has to become fat to secure a husband.

   Unfortunately I am married otherwise I would have the chance to go to Ayuthaya,Thailand where they hold a fat is beautiful contest and I can watch the most beatiful women in the world parade in front of me.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

The Heavenly Fruit

   The prickly outer skin of the durian fruit belies the taste of the fruit in so as the people of S E Asia which includes Indonesia,Malaysia,Thailand,Singapore,Myanmar,Laos and  Cambodia are concerned and is regarded as the king of fruits. The fruit emits a smell which excites the appetite  of S E  Asians and are enthralled by its delicious taste.However,such opinion is not shared by foreigners. The smell  it appears is nauseating to foreigners and it is believed one foreigner commented that eating the fruit is like eating  pudding in a public toilet. That is the reason why airlines including all S E Asian Airlines and even hotels forbid bringing the fruit as it  will cause foreigners to complain of the " nauseating " smell.The smell is so strong that even if the fruit is packed in thick layers of plastic the smell will flow out .
   Personally I cannot understand the noses of foreigners as to us the smell is heavenly and no fruit in the world can match its smell and taste.
  There are foreigners who have tried to eat once and begin to love the fruit. Tourists who visit S EAsia must try to taste the fruit which however is seasonal and available only in November to January depending on the eather .

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Breast is Beautiful

The breast in women is an embodiment of beauty. Other than its role of providing milk for infants during the post pregnancy ,Nature has created it to ensure the process of breeding in human progresses smoothly for posterity.
 Men never fail to oogle at a women with beautiful breast Just as a peacock shows its feathers to attract the opposite sex ,frogs croak and cats meow ,Nature has carve out this beautiful figure so that the opposite sex is magnetized to ensure the survival of the human specie.
While Nature has  given this gift ,it is Man that has obliterated the environment with his activities that has created environmental pollution by carbon emissions and gases that caused the proliferation of diseases of which cancer is one.
It is now for Man to reinvent and reduce the pollution levels and also find ways to cure this terrible disease in breast cancer.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Whiskey in Cancer

Can whisky really be a weapon to help fight cancer or is it just a source for intoxication and addiction.Todate there has been no scientific evidence to support this theory.
However, Dr. Jim Swan a consultant in the whisky industry maintained that the antioxidant in whisky especially ellergic acid can reduce the risk of developing cancer and prevents the rapid growth of the cancerous cells.
Ellergic acid is a polyphenol antioxidant found in numerous fruits and vege-
tables.Accoring to him ellergic cells which are present in larger numbers than in wine prevents the harmful radicals in the body to block the rapid growth of the cancerous cells.
The concept is interesting but remains untested and while regarded by drinkers as a noble idea more to justify their crave and addiction than to acknowledge the theory as a scientific or medical discovery.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Advances on P 53 in Cancer Research (including Breast Cancer)

22 million people in the world suffer from cancer, and any advance in cancer research is welcomed by all. P 53 the tiny molecule which was discovered 30 years ago has given several openings for scientists in their research to uncover avenues for cancer treatment and cure.Cancer emerge when mutations, or abnormal changes, in the genes that control the growth of cells keeping them healthy happens. The genes embodied in the cell’snucleus, regulates each cell which replace itself through an orderly process of cell growth: healthy new cells take over when old ones die out.
However mutations can “switch on” certain genes and “switch off” others.
That changed cell provides itself with the power to keep dividing without control or order producing more cells just like it and resulting in the formation of a tumor. Scientists are discovering drugs that can reactivate P53 to its normal function, and like manner kill the cancer cells without affecting the good cells which happen in chemotherapy treatment. P 53 is a guardian in several areas too such as in metabolism, fertility and in the ageing process providing the discovery into a multi fold gain.We expect that within a period of four to five years , treatment and the production of drugs to deal with cancer would be made available

Monday, November 30, 2009

Should mammogram be delayed

Recently an influential task force in the US has proposed that the
annual mammogram for women starting at age 40 need not be carried
out contending that such tests only cause anxiety , costly follow-ups and
even disfigurement when biopsies, surgery and chemotherapy had to be performed.The panel even recommends that women over 50 to 74 should do the test every other year.
Several breast cancer experts and patient advocacy groups welcome this
advice stating that more testing and treatments may not always be beneficial and can in fact cause harm to those involved.
This recommendation is against the medical norm of annual testing and the Cancer Society completely disagree with the statement
Professor Daniel Kopans of the Harvard Medical School had strong words against the panel referring to the recommendation as unethical.
Mammography for most women is mildly uncomfortable and the sensation lasts for just a few seconds.
Medical records have proven that thousands have been saved by mammography and a general sweeping statement of this sort may not be in the interest of women throughout the world.
It is best for women to listen to the advice of medical practitioners
as prevention is better than cure.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Regrowing The Breast Tissue After Mastectomy

While several scientist are focused on finding ways to cure breast cancer,
there are those that endeavour to find ways to regrow a disfigured breast
after a mastectomy or lumpectomy. A lumpectomy is a breast conserving surgery which usually is followed by radiation therapy.
Australian scientists will be making trial runs to try and regrow the breast after a woman have had surgery on her breast. Presently,women only have the option to carry out a breast reconstruction and implants
after they have had surgery on their breast. This procedure calls for the insertion of the women’s fat tissue in a chamber ,shaped similar to the women's breast and then connecting a blood vessel to the tissue.
. The procedure follows nature’s abhorrence of void such that when the chamber is empty the breast tissues will grow in the void space..
Using a biodegradable chamber means the chamber will dissolve once
the tissue have grown.
While there is joy of such improvements in breast reconstruction, more importantly is the prevention and or cure of the disease.With the availability of this procedure presumably more women would prefer a mastectomy as against lumpectomy which would usually be followed by radiotherapy treatment.
.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Recent Discovery on Proteins in Breast Cancer

Scientists at the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS),which includes Professor Edison Liu and Dr. Edwin Cheung have developed a technique which would enhance the understanding how proteins regulate genes that causes breast cancer. .
A method known as ChIA-PET technology was used in the studies which made a significant finding that certain transcription factors known as oestrogen receptor controls a wide array of genes that stimulate cancer cells to grow.
Oestrogen’s main function is tissue growth and cell proliferation in specific areas in the body. It also promotes the development and maintenance of the female reproductive system.
The oestrogen receptor is important as it controls an on/off switch for genes that cause cancer cells to vigorously multiply.
The new technique enables scientists to pinpoint the set of proteins that controls the genes that stimulates cancer cells to grow and an expert in genomics, Prof Edward Rubin director of the US Department of Energy Joint Genomic Institute and a member of the scientific advisory board of GIS said the study shows on a massive genome- wide scale the interactions between specific enhancers and the genes they regulate.
The discovery provides a complete knowledge and understanding of human DNA which carries the genetic information of all living things.
In breast cancer, the female hormonal system stimulates the genes that activate cancer cells to multiply.
Treatment presently is by blocking this stimuli to activate but a complete understanding of the whole mechanism has still to be unraveled.
This discovery, however is significant as it opens a spectrum of possibilities to make this dreaded disease a thing of the past and women throughout the world may one day need never to worry about the disease and thoughts of having to disfigure a beautiful part of their body when surgery has to be performed.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Breast Cancer and rememdies

Breast Cancer and RemediesBreast cancer was regarded as a dreadful disease in the past especially by those who were diagnosed and agonized not only those affected but also their close relatives like husbands, parents and children.Today,even if a diagnosis is made,there are several methods available to seek remedy for the disease.The important thing is to detect early for signs of the disease.Women by the age of 29 must go for early detection of their breast ,using the mammography tests.Mammography is the process of using low-dose amplitude-X-rays to examine the human breast and is used as a diagnostic as well as a screening tool. The goal of mammography is the early detection of breast cancer, typically through characteristic masses and/or microcalcifications.Breast cancer occurs when tumour cells in the breast grow out of control causing damage to other neighbouring cells in the body making it malignant.As it takes a long time time for the tumour to grow it may be difficult to detectand without consistent mammography checks the growth may become too late to effect control and cure of the disease.Once the breast cancer is detected ,doctors will be able to fight the cancer with the resources and knowledge presently available and can effect a remedy for the disease.By the age of 29,all women should start Breast Self Examination ( BSF)as it is the best and easiest way of detecting cancer.Checks should be made once a month and carried out after the monthly periods.When doing BSE, individuals should look out for the following signs: i) change in the size and shape of the breast ii).whether there is any lump noted in the underarms or around the nipple iii) nipple discharge or nipple turning inward iv).Redness of skin v) Formation of dimple or change in skin texture The following are some of the causes of breast cancer : 1. Men may suffer from this disease, but being a women is one of the common reasons for suffering from breast cancer. 2. Age –as we get older,the likelihood of the disease is greater.3. Hereditary-If a member in the family suffers from the disease,the chances of a person in the family being affected increase4. Overweight may be a cause of the disease.5. Lack of exercise is another factor that can affect the disease 6. Drinking of alcohol can also lead to the disease Some of the methods for the prevention of breast cancer is often in. the eating habits of a person For example,it is recommended that a person should take in more vegetables and avoid red meat and . processed foods Avoiding alcohol is one of the factors in preventing the disease and the diet should include wheat,bran and cabbage.Eating more garlic,ginger,cilantro and parsnip provides some of the highest cancer fighting nutrients.

Breast Cancer Affecting The Young

Breast Cancer Affecting The Young

While it is not common for breast cancer to strike younger women, the fact remains that all women are at risk. For those of childbearing age, the first sign and symptons of breast cancer can be upsetting but complicated as well.

When diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age,40s, 30s, even 20s will mean difficult decisions have to be made much sooner than originally expected.

For those developing breast cancer during pregnancy, which may be rare, can still happen. In this scenario, the treatment chosen will not only affect the patient and her body, but the growing baby inside her as well. It will depend on what stage of pregnancy she is in and what stage her cancer is in such as whether or not it�s advanced.

Generally pregnant women can have treatment for their breast cancer without affecting the baby. But some might be advised by their obstetrician or health-care practitioner to terminate the pregnancy, more so if the pregnancy is in its earlier stages, in order to receive certain treatments that would be too risky otherwise. However,this is left to the individual to decide.

Generally speaking, tamoxifen, chemotherapy, radiation, and other drug-related therapies are avoided if the woman is pregnant because of their associated risks with birth defects. Tamoxifen, especially, is considered very unsafe because it is a hormonal therapy and is never recommended if the woman is pregnant or planning on conceiving.

Surgery either a lumpectomy or mastectomy is the most common and preferred method of treatment for breast cancer in pregnant women.

Another concern is whether or not breast cancer survivors can or should go on to have children after treatment and recovery. It s a very controversial issue with firm advocates on both sides of the debate.

Two crucial issues remain , for both the medical and health community and breast cancer survivors wanting their own children: a) certain breast cancer treatments may affect fertility and b)whether it is safe to conceive and carry a baby to term following breast cancer and breast cancer treatments?

In so far as fertility is concerned, there is no definite answer here. For chemotherapy, it depends on the age and what specific drug was used. Some affect fertility more than others and taking tamoxifen after chemotherapy to prevent recurrence is not recommended if the woman desires to become pregnant right away. Although tamoxifen is sometimes used as a fertility treatment, there is evidence to suggest that it damages developing embryos, and therefore is not considered safe to use.

Generally doctors caution these women to procrastinate for several years to ensure receiving the best breast cancer treatment possible and to go past the point of the biggest threat of breast cancer recurrence. Howe

Thursday, September 24, 2009

DIABETICS AND HERBAL TEA


While eating the rght food is often suggested by physicians and diabetic experts,the use of herbal tea is often ommitted and dismissed by many as unproven and unscientific.

Diabetics must approach the problem in a different perspective and in fact look at herbal beverages from the East as a source to control ,if not to cure this damaging disease..

One of the ways Eastern practitioners have successfully used to liven up the pancreas and maintain a normalcy in sugar levels of diabetics is the use of a tea

commonly known as “chin chow” tea and is widely used in Indonesia.

Indonesian native physicians known as singsehs have discovered the “ chin chow” tea have successfully helped thousands of sufferers suffering from the disease to control the sugar levels to normalcy and those with the disease are able to live a normal life and enjoy the food they once crave.

“The “ chin chow “ tea has to be boiled and drank as normal beverage and after a month,it would significantly reduce sugar levels to normalcy