Does thinking positively about yourself and your external environment actually produce a noticeable and positive change in your life? And can you cure yourself of disease simply by affirming yourself to be healthy and whole?
Well certainly, having a positive outlook can alter your perception of reality—which can be beneficial—but does it actually alter reality per se? As an integrative physician, holistic healer, and meditation practitioner, I am confronted with this issue every day. In fact, this may be the most profound question in the age-old contemplation of consciousness within spirituality, philosophy… and yes, even science: What role does consciousness play in the establishment of reality?
There are many extreme views on this topic. On the one hand, Western science has traditionally clung to the dualistic concept that subject and object are separate, and there is no room for subjective (i.e., consciousness-based, or emotion-based) experience in the scientific “rational” observation of the material world. Taken experientially, this interpretation states that a human being is simply a passive observer of a reality that is imposed by a totally deterministic external world—in other words, our experience is determined by forces of nature that we have no internal control over.
The opposite view, held by many mystics and spiritual practitioners across the ages, is that all experience in this world is created by consciousness, and that all tangible elements of physical reality are therefore ultimately an illusion. Then there are many beliefs—spiritual, philosophical, and scientific—that fall in the middle ground, existing as flexible mediums between these two extremes. One such belief system, celebrated especially by the New Age Movement, is the belief in the “Power of Affirmations”—also known as the power of “positive thinking.”
When we make an affirmation, we generate a positive thought—but unfortunately, it often doesn’t result in a real difference. Why? More often than not, the thought is generated in a contrived way, and is not genuine. You may tell yourself that you are healthy and happy—but deep down, you might not really believe it. For many of us, positive thoughts comprise just a few thin layers that cover a multitude of suppressed negative beliefs generated by fear, aversion, attachments, and the like.
These negative beliefs can be both conscious and unconscious, but regardless of their specific location in our psyche, they are clearly the obstructing force in any real effect of positive affirmation on our reality. So yes, positive affirmations do work—but only to the degree that they are truly genuine, and that you generate them and sustain your belief in them from the deepest core of your being possible. This means being in touch with yourself, experiencing the true potential of your existence, and then being genuine to that experience.
So what is the deepest core of your being, and how do you access it? This is the difficult part. I like to use the metaphor of the onion and its many layers: Our deepest core is our true essence, and it is in no way separable from the essence of the Universe. When we peel back the layers of the onion—the layers of negative beliefs, distractions, fears, and so on—we can actually reach this core essence and rest in it, naturally and effortlessly radiating energies of love, compassion, and healing.
The deeper we go, the more layers we peel, the more access we have to our true essence, and the more genuine our affirmations can be—for this essence is simply pure openness and love, which is the true essence of positive affirmation. Often, and especially in moments of crisis, we can become more genuine to ourselves, and to our experience of existence—and this is the true opportunity presented by crisis. If we keep going deeper, and have the right guidance, we can start peeling into the depth of our experience, peeling back the layers that obstruct our essence.
Then, when the openness is there, love and compassion flow effortlessly as a natural expression of our true nature… and anything can happen. Lama Giatsu, who just passed away, taught me these three principles of Buddhist healing:
1) The Substance: The medicine that you are giving
2) The Mantra: The power of prayer. This is the affirmation.
3) The Wisdom (yeshe): This is the knowing of our true essence.
He told me this as part of a story how his teacher in Tibet healed all the yaks and protected them from an epidemic. The lesson of this story: When we touch our wisdom, our essence, the power of healing and change takes a quantum leap.
It is interesting to note that the traditional dualistic system of rational western science is beginning to give way to a more holistic view of reality, especially in the field of Quantum Physics. Scientists in this field are starting to discover the subjective nature of reality: that the influence of mind and consciousness is more—perhaps much more—far reaching than previously believed. In fact, a program at Princeton University called Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research is currently devoted to a range of scientific studies on consciousness-related physical phenomena.
By:Dr. Isaac Eliaz, a pioneer in the field of integrative medicine since the early 1980′s, is a respected author, lecturer, researcher, product formulator and clinical practitioner.
Some researchers from the University of Stirling suggest that the fatty acids obtained from algae can be used to treat acne. The vast oceans covering the earth still remain a mystery as to what exactly remains covered within the deep waters. One of the areas of interest has been to find if the flora and fauna from the oceans have any medicinal properties. Several positive findings have been made in this regard.
Among the marine plants, algae have been used for their nutritive as well as their medicinal properties. Algae are rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. Besides, they are also used as a gelling agent in different foods. They also have a number of potential uses in medicine, which are being researched.
Algae have recently been suggested to have a possible use in the treatment of acne by scientists from the University of Stirling. Acne, a common problem in youth, is caused by a bacterium called Propionibacterium acnes. Algae contain certain fatty acids, some of which have been found to be useful in acne.
Some fatty acids have been found to kill the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria, and also possibly prevent its growth. These include fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid, eicosapentanoic acid and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid. Algae produce some of these fatty acids. Thus, an ointment that could contain such fatty acids could help to deal with the problem of acne.
The treatment of acne may not be as simple as applying a seaweed to your face. The fatty acids would need to be extracted and then packaged into an ointment. Thus, it could take some time before such a preparation is available. But it could be an alternative to some of the very toxic medications of acne.
Source:Medindia
Scientists from Sanford-Burnham have discovered T Lymphocyte Attenuator (BTLA) inhibitory receptor as an important factor in limiting inflammatory responses, particularly in the skin. The study, published online today in Immunity, provides clarity on how T cells get fired up to protect against pathogens, and then cool down to restore immune homeostasis.
"Our study shows that BTLA expression in gamma-delta T-cells deactivates their response to immune stimuli," said Carl Ware, Ph.D., professor and director of the Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center at Sanford-Burnham. "Gamma-delta T-cells are the first line of defense against pathogens—and unless 'turned off', can lead to unwanted inflammation and tissue destruction."
Until now, scientists knew that gamma-delta T-cells were important for initiating inflammatory responses in the skin, but not how to turn off these potent cells.
"Now, we know that BTLA acts as a critical coordinator for turning T cells off to prevent the immune system from spinning out of control, and helping to rebalance the immune system," said Ware.
The findings could help scientists develop new treatments for inflammatory disorders by targeting BTLA to reduce inflammation, promote homeostasis, and control disease.
How BTLA is regulated
Using a combination of human cells and a mouse model of psoriasis, the research team described a new pathway that regulates BTLA expression. Ware's research showed that the "retinoid-related orphan receptor gamma-t" (ROR gamma-t) nuclear transcription factor works with interleukin (IL)-7, to coordinate the expression of BTLA, which in turn regulates gamma-delta T cell responses to inflammatory stimuli.
The study found that ROR gamma-t works to inhibit BTLA transcription, thereby limiting its availability in gamma-delta T-cells. This allows the expansion of T-cell numbers and their production of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-17 and TNF.
In contrast, IL-7 increases the availability of BTLA on the cell surface, reducing the number of active T cells and allowing BTLA to rein in the immune response.
"To be effective against pathogens, yet prevent damage from the body's own defenses, the immune system has to maintain a balance. In essence, BTLA helps control inflammatory responses by reducing the activity and numbers of active gamma-delta T cells," said Ware.
Immune mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs)
IMIDs are chronic, often disabling diseases caused by cytokine dysregulation and inflammation. There are over 80 types of IMIDs that target virtually any part of the body, including skin, connective tissue, and respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. Common IMIDs include Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Approximately 5-7% of Western society suffers from an IMID that requires treatment.
Current treatments for IMIDs include corticosteroids, immuno-suppressants and "biologics" that target specific immune signaling molecules. While these therapies are very effective in some patients, many patients have a poor response to these drugs.
"Understanding the mechanisms that control immune responses creates important breakthroughs for researchers developing drugs to treat these chronic diseases. If a drug can selectively activate BTLA, we put the brakes on gamma-delta T-cells and gain control of inflammation, prevent damage, and if possible, achieve long-term disease remission," said Ware.
Source:
It may now be possible to fix faulty genes of future generations by introducing a new designer sperm, a new study found. According to the research report, this discovery could lead to a new frontier in genetic medicine in which diseases and disorders are effectively cured, and new human attributes, such as organ regeneration, may be possible. The study has revealed that altering genes in sperm, and then inducing fertilization, produces new genes that are present and active in the embryos and inherited to at least the third generation. Study author Anil Chandrashekran from the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at The Royal Veterinary College said that transgenic technology is a most important tool for researching all kinds of disease in humans and animals, and for understanding crucial problems in biology. Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal said that using modified sperm to insert genetic material has the potential to be a major breakthrough not only in future research, but also in human medicine.
Source:FASEB Journal
A University of Colorado Cancer Center study published online ahead of print in the journal Nutrition and Cancer describes the laboratory synthesis of the most active component of grape seed extract, B2G2, and shows this synthesized compound induces the cell death known as apoptosis in prostate cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed. “We’ve shown similar anti-cancer activity in the past with grape seed extract (GSE), but now we know B2G2 is its most biologically active ingredient which can be synthesized in quantities that will allow us to study the detailed death mechanism in cancer cells,” says Alpna Tyagi, PhD, of the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Tyagi works in the lab of CU Cancer Center investigator and Skaggs School of Pharmacy faculty member, Chapla Agarwal, PhD.
The group has spent more than a decade demonstrating the anti-cancer activity of GSE in controlled, laboratory conditions. For example, previous studies have shown the GSE effectiveness against cancer cells and have also shown its mechanism of action. “But until recently, we didn’t know which constituent of GSE created this effect. This naturally occurring compound, GSE, is a complex mixture of polyphenols and also so far it has been unclear about the biologically active constituents of GSE against cancer cells,” Tyagi says.
Eventually the group pinpointed B2G2 as the most active compound, but, “it’s expensive and it takes a long time to isolate B2G2 from grape seed extract,” Tyagi says.
This expense related to the isolation of B2G2 has limited the group’s further exploration. So instead of purifying B2G2 from GSE, the group decided to synthesize it in the lab. The current study reports the success of this effort, including the ability to synthesize gram-quantity of B2G2 reasonably quickly and inexpensively.
In the paper’s second half, the group shows anti-cancer activity of synthesized B2G2 similar in mechanism and degree to overall GSE effectiveness.
“Our goal all along has been a clinical trial of the biologically active compounds from GSE against human cancer. But it’s difficult to earn FDA approval for a trial in which we don’t know the mechanisms and possible effects of all active components. Therefore, isolating and synthesizing B2G2 is an important step because now we have the ability to conduct more experiments with the pure compound. Ongoing work in the lab further increases our understanding of B2G2′s mechanism of action that will help for the preclinical and clinical studies in the future,” Tyagi says.
Source:journal Nutrition and Cancer
A natural mechanism that cells use to protect mitochondria, the tiny but essential "power plants" that provide chemical energy for cells throughout the body was discovered by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI). Damage to mitochondria is thought to be a significant factor in common neurodegenerative disorders, cancer and even the aging process. The TSRI researchers' discovery could lead to new methods for protecting mitochondria from such damage, thereby improving human health.
"The mechanism that we've identified potentially gives us another way to treat the many disorders that involve mitochondrial dysfunction," said R. Luke Wiseman, the Arlene and Arnold Goldstein Assistant Professor in TSRI's Department of Molecular & Experimental Medicine.
Wiseman was the senior author of the new study, which appears in the December 3, 2013 issue of the journal Cell Metabolism.
Power Plants of the Cell
Mitochondria are microscopic reactors that burn oxygen to make ATP, the basic unit of chemical energy in cells. As such, they are the major consumers of the oxygen we breathe.
But the oxygen molecules concentrated within mitochondria are highly reactive, tending to modify proteins in unwanted ways, changing them into abnormal shapes and often causing them to become dysfunctional and clump together. If this misfolding and aggregation gets out of control—induced by factors including genetic mutations, aging and environmental toxins such as pesticides—the result can be the failure of mitochondria and cell death.
To help protect themselves from excess protein misfolding and aggregation, cells have evolved signaling pathways that protect mitochondria during stress. These pathways primarily function by increasing the production of mitochondrial "chaperone" molecules that help keep proteins within mitochondria folded properly and protease enzymes that can cut up misfolded and aggregated mitochondrial proteins.
"These signaling pathways that regulate mitochondrial 'proteostasis' mechanisms, as we call them, have so far been poorly characterized in mammalian cells, but on the whole, they seem very important for cellular survival under stress," said Wiseman.
Reducing the Burden
In the new study, Wiseman and members of his laboratory, including first authors Kelly Rainbolt and Neli Atanassova focused on a third mechanism of mitochondrial proteostasis regulation: the reduced "import" of proteins into mitochondria.
"We predicted that reducing the population of newly imported proteins entering mitochondria would reduce the burden on mitochondrial chaperones and proteases during cellular stress," said Rainbolt.
The team started by examining a protein complex, TIM23, which works as one of the chief importers of proteins into the inner section, or matrix, of mitochondria. TIM23 contains a core subunit called Tim17, which—uniquely in mammals—has two almost-identical variants, Tim17A and Tim17B, that incorporate into distinct complexes. The researchers used an environmental toxin, arsenite, to induce a general stress response in cultured mammalian cells and monitored alterations in Tim17A and Tim17B.
The results showed that Tim17A levels in the cells' mitochondria fell sharply in response to arsenite, while Tim17B levels were unaffected. Intriguingly, the authors found that the decrease in Tim17A was induced downstream of an established biologic signaling pathway that protects cells during stress. The decrease in Tim17A occurred not only because Tim17A production was reduced, but also because Tim17A was degraded more rapidly than usual. The team soon found that a mitochondrial protease, YME1L, is responsible for the stress-induced degradation of Tim17A. "The capacity for an established, protective biologic signaling pathway to induce Tim17A degradation indicated to us that Tim17A degradation is likely a protective mechanism to promote mitochondrial proteostasis in response to pathologic insults," said Rainbolt. In fact, the scientists showed that reducing Tim17A protein levels increased cellular survival in response to stresses that directly challenge mitochondrial proteostasis and function. Since alterations in mitochondrial proteostasis mechanisms are common to many human diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, Wiseman notes that the identification of new cellular mechanisms regulating mitochondrial proteostasis, such as Tim17A degradation, suggests potential new therapeutic approaches to attenuate mitochondrial dysfunction in these diseases.
Source:Cell Metabolism
Oryzanol present in rice bran oil can protect a person from the dangers of coronary heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, reveals study. Rice bran oil is the oil extracted from the oily layer in between the paddy husk and the white rice(polished rice). It is nutritionally superior edible oil providing immense benefits for the heart and general health which is one reason why the Japanese call it the 'heart oil', Diabetic Living India magazine reported.
According to human clinical studies conducted in the University of Lowell, the oil has significantly better cholesterol lowering properties compared to other popular oils. Scientists have attributed this to presence of Oryzanol in the oil.
Source:University of Lowell
Artificially-grown skin for major burn patients has been created by scientists.Spanish scientists, from the Tissue Engineering Research Group, from the Dept. of Histology at the University of Granada, have managed, for the first time, to grow artificial skin from stem cells of umbilical cord. Their study shows the ability of Wharton jelly mesenschymal stem cells to turn to oral-mucosa or skin-regeneration epithelia. To grow the artificial skin, the researchers have used, in addition this new type of epithelia covering, a biomaterial made of fibrin and agarose, already designed and developed by the University of Granada research team. The study has been published in the journal Stem Cells Translational Medicine.
Source:Journal Translational Medicine
Scientists have succeeded in transforming human stem cells into functional lung and airway cells for the first time. The advance has significant potential for modeling lung disease, screening drugs, studying human lung development, and, ultimately, generating lung tissue for transplantation. It was reported by Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) researchers. The study was published today in the journal Nature Biotechnology. "Researchers have had relative success in turning human stem cells into heart cells, pancreatic beta cells, intestinal cells, liver cells, and nerve cells, raising all sorts of possibilities for regenerative medicine," said study leader Hans-Willem Snoeck, MD, PhD, professor of medicine (in microbiology & immunology) and affiliated with the Columbia Center for Translational Immunology and the Columbia Stem Cell Initiative. "Now, we are finally able to make lung and airway cells. This is important because lung transplants have a particularly poor prognosis. Although any clinical application is still many years away, we can begin thinking about making autologous lung transplants—that is, transplants that use a patient's own skin cells to generate functional lung tissue." The research builds on Dr. Snoeck's 2011 discovery of a set of chemical factors that can turn human embryonic stem (ES) cells or human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells into anterior foregut endoderm—precursors of lung and airway cells. (Human iPS cells closely resemble human ES cells but are generated from skin cells, by coaxing them into taking a developmental step backwards. Human iPS cells can then be stimulated to differentiate into specialized cells—offering researchers an alternative to human ES cells.) In the current study, Dr. Snoeck and his colleagues found new factors that can complete the transformation of human ES or iPS cells into functional lung epithelial cells (cells that cover the lung surface). The resultant cells were found to express markers of at least six types of lung and airway epithelial cells, particularly markers of type 2 alveolar epithelial cells. Type 2 cells are important because they produce surfactant, a substance critical to maintain the lung alveoli, where gas exchange takes place; they also participate in repair of the lung after injury and damage. The findings have implications for the study of a number of lung diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), in which type 2 alveolar epithelial cells are thought to play a central role. "No one knows what causes the disease, and there's no way to treat it," says Dr. Snoeck. "Using this technology, researchers will finally be able to create laboratory models of IPF, study the disease at the molecular level, and screen drugs for possible treatments or cures." "In the longer term, we hope to use this technology to make an autologous lung graft," Dr. Snoeck said. "This would entail taking a lung from a donor; removing all the lung cells, leaving only the lung scaffold; and seeding the scaffold with new lung cells derived from the patient. In this way, rejection problems could be avoided." Dr. Snoeck is investigating this approach in collaboration with researchers in the Columbia University Department of Biomedical Engineering. "I am excited about this collaboration with Hans Snoeck, integrating stem cell science with bioengineering in the search for new treatments for lung disease," said Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic, co-author of the paper and Mikati Foundation Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Columbia's Engineering School and professor of medical sciences at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Source:Journal Nature Biotechnology
An important clue toward helping curb runaway inflammation was discovered by a new research published in the December 2013 issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology. Oxygen levels play a critical role in determining the severity of the inflammatory response and ultimately the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory drugs. This research could have significant future benefits for patients with severe asthma, COPD, rheumatoid arthritis, pulmonary fibrosis and coronary artery disease. According to John Marwick from the MRC Centre for Inflammation Research at The Queen's Medical Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh Medical School in Edinburgh, Scotland, and a researcher involved in the work, "Inflammatory diseases contribute to countless deaths and suffering of people. We hope that by understanding the processes involved in inflammation we will herald the arrival of new and targeted anti-inflammatory drugs that have fewer side effects than what is currently available." To make this discovery, researchers isolated neutrophils, the immune cells that are responsible for acute inflammation, from the blood of healthy volunteers and incubated them in different levels of oxygen. They then added substances that are usually present at sites of inflammation in humans, both with and without anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid drugs and studied what effect these factors had on neutrophil lifespan. They found that the oxygen levels altered the effectiveness of the drugs, which suggests that these drugs may be less effective for some diseases than they are for others. Future areas of research include developing a deeper understanding of exactly how these drugs work under different conditions to ultimately help with development of new, better tolerated anti-inflammatory therapies. "This report may shed light on why some people respond better to anti-inflammatory drugs than others, and it suggests that a one size fits all strategy to anti-inflammatory drugs may be overly simplistic. This work could be a foundation to identifying ways to tailor anti-inflammatory agents to specifically treat different diseases," said John Wherry, Ph.D., Deputy Editor of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology.
Source:Journal of leucocyte Biology
An expert says that nutrition and diet play a major part in preventing,
managing or even slowing the rate of complications associated with
diabetes.Known as medical nutrition therapy (MNT), a diabetes diet involves
eating a variety of foods high in nutritional value in moderation, while
sticking to regular meal times. It is a diet nutritiously rich, non-calorific and low in saturated fats, reports femalefirst.co.uk. Bram Brons, an independent general practitioner and a member of the
medical team at HealthExpress, an online health clinic, has explored the
significance of healthy eating for people suffering with diabetes.
- Eat three meals a day: Eating breakfast, lunch and dinner will help to
control blood sugar levels. Studies have also showed that eating three
proper meals prevents from feeling snacking, and help in weight cantrol.
- Include carbohydrates in diet: Include healthy carbohydrates (starchy)
foods such as pasta, cereals, bread, potatoes, yam, chapatis, and rice
to aid control of blood glucose levels. The National Diabetes
Information Clearinghouse recommends at least one serving of starch at
every meal. Some healthier choices are the high-fibre variety which
include whole grain versions of bread, porridge oats, yam, sweet potato,
new potatoes, crackers, natural all Bran muesli cereals and tortillas.
These foods will also help the digestive system and prevent constipation
problems from arising.
- Eat foods rich in fibre: A diet that includes five portions of fruit
and vegetables is recommended in order to supplement body with the
necessary vitamins, minerals and fibre. Other foods like beans, peas,
lentils, wheat bran, and nuts can also control blood fats. Not only can a
diet high in fibre help to control blood sugar levels, it can also
decrease the risk of heart disease.
- Eat at least two portions of oily fish a week: Oily fish such as
mackerel, salmon, sardines and pilchards are rich in omega 3, which
helps to protect the heart by lowering the triglycerides (blood fats).
- Reduce sugar intake: Opting for sugar free alternatives can reduce your sugar consumption significantly.
- Cut your salt intake: You should aim for less than 2,300 mg of salt a
day. Too much salt can raise your blood pressure. High blood pressure
can lead to heart disease and stroke. Processed ready meals usually
contain high levels of salt and are, therefore, best avoided.
Researchers have used radioimmunotherapy (RIT) to destroy remaining
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected cells in the blood samples
of patients treated with antiretroviral therapy, offering the promise of
a strategy for curing HIV infection. Results of the study were
presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of
North America (RSNA).
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has transformed the
outlook for patients infected with HIV by suppressing the replication of
the virus in the body. However, despite the success of HAART in
effectively reducing the burden of HIV, scientists believe reservoirs of
latently infected cells persist in the body, preventing the possibility
of a permanent cure.
"In an HIV patient on HAART, drugs suppress viral replication, which
means they keep the number of viral particles in a patient's
bloodstream very low. However, HAART cannot kill the HIV-infected
cells," said the study's lead author, Ekaterina Dadachova, Ph.D.,
professor of radiology, microbiology and immunology at Albert Einstein
College of Medicine in the Bronx, N.Y. "Any strategy for curing HIV
infection must include a method to eliminate viral-infected cells."
In her study, Dr. Dadachova and a team of researchers administered
RIT to blood samples from 15 HIV patients treated with HAART at the
Einstein-Montefiore Center for AIDS Research.
RIT, which has historically been employed to treat cancer, uses
monoclonal antibodies—cloned cells that are recruited by the immune
system to identify and neutralize antigens. Antigens are foreign objects
like bacteria and viruses that stimulate an immune response in the
body. The antibody, designed to recognize and bind to a specific cell
antigen, is paired with a radioactive isotope. When injected into the
patient's bloodstream, the laboratory-developed antibody travels to the
target cell where the radiation is then delivered.
"In RIT, the antibodies bind to the infected cells and kill them by
radiation," Dr. Dadachova said. "When HAART and RIT are used together,
they kill the virus and the infected cells, respectively."
For the study, Dr. Dadachova's team paired the monoclonal antibody
(mAb2556) designed to target a protein expressed on the surface of
HIV-infected cells with the radionuclide Bismuth-213.
The researchers found that RIT was able to kill HIV-infected
lymphocytes previously treated with HAART, reducing the HIV infection in
the blood samples to undetectable levels.
"The elimination of HIV-infected cells with RIT was profound and
specific," Dr. Dadachova said. "The radionuclide we used delivered
radiation only to HIV-infected cells without damaging nearby cells."
An important part of the study tested the ability of the
radiolabeled antibody to reach HIV-infected cells in the brain and
central nervous system. Using an in vitro human blood brain barrier
model, the researchers demonstrated that radiolabeled mAb2556 could
cross the blood brain barrier and kill HIV-infected cells without any
overt damage to the barrier itself.
"Antiretroviral treatment only partially penetrates the blood brain
barrier, which means that even if a patient is free of HIV systemically,
the virus is still able to rage on in the brain, causing cognitive
disorders and mental decline," Dr. Dadachova said. "Our study showed
that RIT is able to kill HIV-infected cells both systemically and within
the central nervous system."
According to Dr. Dadachova, clinical trials in HIV patients are the next step for the RIT treatment.
Source: 99th Radiological Society of North America Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting
As many as 500 000 people suffer a spinal cord injury each year. People
with spinal cord injuries are two to five times more likely to die
prematurely, with worse survival rates in low- and middle-income
countries. The new WHO report, "International perspectives on spinal
cord injury", summarizes the best available evidence on the causes,
prevention, care and lived experience of people with spinal cord injury.
Males are most at risk of spinal cord injury between the ages
of 20-29 years and 70 years and older, while females are most at risk
between the ages of 15-19 years and 60 years and older. Studies report
male to female ratios of at least 2:1 among adults. Up to 90 per
cent of spinal cord injury cases are due to traumatic causes such as
road traffic crashes, falls and violence. Variations exist across
regions. For example, road traffic accidents are the main contributor to
spinal cord injury in the African Region (nearly 70 per cent of cases)
and the Western Pacific Region (55 per cent of cases) and falls the
leading cause in the South-East Asia and Eastern Mediterranean Regions
(40 per cent of cases). Non-traumatic spinal cord injury results from
conditions such as tumours, spina bifida, and tuberculosis. A third of
non-traumatic spinal cord injury is linked to tuberculosis in
sub-Saharan Africa. Most people with spinal cord injury
experience chronic pain, and an estimated 20-30 per cent show clinically
significant signs of depression. People with spinal cord injury also
risk developing secondary conditions that can be debilitating and even
life-threatening, such as deep vein thrombosis, urinary tract
infections, pressure ulcers and respiratory complications. Spinal
cord injury is associated with lower rates of school enrollment and
economic participation. Children with spinal cord injury are less likely
than their peers to start school, and once enrolled, less likely to
advance. Adults with spinal cord injury face similar barriers to
socio-economic participation, with a global unemployment rate of more
than 60 per cent. Spinal cord injury carries substantial individual and
societal costs.Many of the consequences associated with spinal
cord injury do not result from the condition itself, but from inadequate
medical care and rehabilitation services, and from barriers in the
physical, social and policy environments that exclude people with spinal
cord injury from participation in their communities. Full
Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities is urgently required to address these gaps and barriers.“Spinal
cord injury is a medically complex and life-disrupting condition,”
notes Dr Etienne Krug, Director of the Department of Violence and Injury
Prevention and Disability, WHO. “However, spinal cord injury is
preventable, survivable, and need not preclude good health and social
inclusion.” Essential measures for improving the survival,
health and participation of people with spinal cord injury include:
timely, appropriate pre-hospital management: quick recognition of
suspected spinal cord injury, rapid evaluation and initiation of injury
management, including immobilization of the spine; acute care
appropriate to the level and severity of injury, degree of instability
and presence of neural compression; access to ongoing health care,
health education and products such as catheters to reduce risk of
secondary conditions and improve quality of life; access to skilled
rehabilitation and mental health services to maximize functioning,
independence, overall well-being and community integration; access to
appropriate assistive devices that can enable people to perform everyday
activities, reducing functional limitations and dependency; and
specialized knowledge and skills among providers of medical care and
rehabilitation services. Essential measures to secure the right
to education and economic participation include legislation, policy and
programmes that promote: physically accessible homes, schools,
workplaces, hospitals and transportation; inclusive education;
elimination of discrimination in employment and educational settings;
vocational rehabilitation to optimize the chance of employment;
micro-finance and other forms of self-employment benefits to support
alternative forms of economic self-sufficiency; access to social support
payments that do not act as disincentive to return to work; and correct
understanding of spinal cord injury and positive attitudes towards
people living with it. "International perspectives on spinal
cord injury" was developed in association with the International Spinal
Cord Society and Swiss Paraplegic Research, and launched on the occasion
of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3,
2013.
Source:Pharmabiz
Memories can be passed down to later generations through genetic
switches that allow offspring to inherit the experience of their
ancestors, says study.The results of the animal study, which suggested that a traumatic event
could affect the DNA in sperm and alter the brains and behaviour of
subsequent generations, were important for phobia and anxiety research,
the BBC reported. The team at the Emory University School of Medicine, in the US, trained
the animals to fear a smell similar to cherry blossom and found a
section of DNA responsible for sensitivity to the scent was made more
active in the mice's sperm. Both the mice's offspring, and their offspring, were "extremely
sensitive" to cherry blossom and would avoid the scent, despite never
having experiencing it in their lives. Researchers said the experiences of a parent, even before conceiving,
markedly influence both structure and function in the nervous system of
subsequent generations. The findings provide evidence of "transgenerational epigenetic
inheritance" - that the environment can affect an individual's genetics,
which can in turn be passed on. The smell-aversion study suggested that either some of the odour ends up
in the bloodstream which affected sperm production or that a signal
from the brain was sent to the sperm to alter DNA.
A new mechanism involving a signaling protein and its receptor that
could block the formation of new blood vessels and cancer growth has
been demonstrated by researchers at the Boston University School of
Medicine (BUSM).Angiogenesis creates new blood vessels in a process that can lead to the
onset and progression of several diseases such as cancer and
age-related macular degeneration. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a signaling protein
produced by damaged cells, which binds to one of its receptors VEGFR-2,
located on the surface of blood vessel cells. Once VEGF is bound to its receptor, it is activated and sends a
biochemical signal to the inside of the blood vessel cell to initiate
angiogenesis. There are currently multiple Federal Drug Administration-approved medications that target this process. However, these medications are limited by insufficient efficacy and the development of resistance. The researchers demonstrated that a biochemical process called
methylation, which can regulate gene expression, also affects VEGFR-2,
and this can lead to angiogenesis. Using multiple methods, the researchers were able to interfere with the
methylation process of VEGFR-2 and subsequently block angiogenesis and
tumor growth. "The study points to the methylation of VEGFR-2 as an exciting, yet
unexplored drug target for cancer and ocular angiogenesis, ushering in a
new paradigm in anti-angiogenesis therapy," Nader Rahimi, PhD,
associate professor of pathology, BUSM, who served as the study's senior
investigator, said.
Source:The findings are published in the journal Science Signaling.
Coke is the most valuable brand in
history, and “Coca-Cola” is the world’s second-most recognized word after
“hello.” However, the beverage itself is an absolute poison to the human
metabolism. Coke is very close to the acidity level of battery acid and
consequently it can clean surfaces equivalent to and often better than many
toxic household cleaners.
It’s cheaper and easier to buy Coke
in some third world countries than it is to access clean water. Coke uses
“public relations propaganda” to convince consumers and entire nations that it
is an “environmental company” when really it is linked to pollution, water
shortages, and disease.
People who consume soft drinks such
as Coke have a 48% increase in heart attack and stroke risk, compared to people
who did not drink the sodas at all or did not drink them every day. A
study published in the journal Respirology reveals that soft
drink consumption is also associated with lung and breathing
disorders including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD).
The carbonation in Coke causes
calcium loss in the bones through a 3-stage process:
The carbonation irritates the stomach.
The stomach “cures” the irritation the only way it knows
how. It adds the only antacid at its disposal: calcium. It gets this from
the blood.
The blood, now low on calcium, replenishes its supply
from the bones. If it did not do this, muscular and brain function would
be severely impaired.
But, the story doesn’t end there.
Another problem with most Coke is it also contain phosphoric acid (not the same
as the carbonation, which is carbon dioxide mixed with the water). Phosphoric
acid also causes a draw-down on the body’s store of calcium.
So Coke softens your bones
(actually, makes them weak and brittle) in 3 ways:
Carbonation reduces the calcium in the bones.
Phosphoric acid reduces the calcium in the bones.
The beverage replaces a calcium-containing alternative,
such as milk or water. Milk and water are not excellent calcium sources,
but they are sources.
Esophageal cancer was very rare two
generations ago — now, it’s common. The basic mechanism works as follows:
Mechanical damage to cells is a huge risk factor for
cancer. It’s why asbestos particles, for example, cause lung cancer.
All soft drinks cause acid reflux (stomach acid rising
up past the esophageal valve). This is more pronounced when the body is
horizontal (as in sleeping), but the sheer volume of Coke and soft drinks
consumed in the USA means the acid reflux is well past the danger point.
Any time you ingest a gassy drink, you are going to get belching–and acid
into the esophagus. How much is too much? The research doesn’t say where
the limit is–it only shows that most of us are far, far, far past it.
tomach acid dissolves tissue — that’s its purpose. The
stomach lining does not extend into the esophagus, so the lower esophagus
gets damaged by acid far more frequently in soft drink users than in non
soft drink users. This results in a radical increase in cell mutations,
along with a far higher level of free radicals.
20
Practical Uses For Coke
Coke acts as an acidic cleaner. The
amount of acid in soda is enough to wear away at the enamel of your teeth,
making them more susceptible to decay. In tests done on the acidity levels of
soda, certain ones were found to have PH levels as low as 2.5. To put that into
perspective, consider that battery acid has a pH of 1 and pure water has a pH
of 7.
To prove Coke does not belong in the
human body, here are 20 practical ways you can use Coke as a domestic cleaner:
Removes grease stains from clothing and fabric
Removes rust; methods include using fabric dipped in
Coke, a sponge or even aluminum foil. Also loosens rusty bolts
Removes blood stains from clothing and fabric.
Cleans oil stains from a garage floor; let the stain
soak, hose off.
Kills slugs and snails; the acids kills them.
Cleans burnt pans; let the pan soak in the Coke, then
rinse.
Descales a kettle (same method as with burnt pans)
Cleans car battery terminals by pouring a small amount
of Coke over each one.
Cleans your engine; Coke distributors have been using
this technique for decades.
Makes pennies shine; soaking old pennies in Coke will
remove the tarnish.
Cleans tile grout; pour onto kitchen floor, leave for a
few minutes, wipe up.
Dissolves a tooth; Use a sealed container…takes a while
but it does work.
Removes gum from hair; dip into a small bowl of Coke,
leave a few minutes. Gum will wipe off.
Removes stains from vitreous china.
Got a dirty pool? Adding two 2-liter bottles of Coke
clears up rust.
You can remove (or fade) dye from hair by pouring diet
Coke over it.
Remove marker stains from carpet. Applying Coke,
scrubbing and then clean with soapy water will remove marker stains.
Cleans a toilet; pour around bowl, leave for a while,
flush clean.
Coke and aluminum foil will bring Chrome to a high
shine.
Strips paint off metal furniture. Soak a towel in Coke
and lay it on the paint surface.
Now can you imagine what is does to
your stomach lining?
Who needs the ‘household and
cleaning’ section at the hardware store when we have Coke.
Have
you ever wondered what exactly Coca Cola is?
After
10 minutes: The sugar contained in a glass of
Cola can cause a devastating “strike” on the body. The cause being the
phosphoric acid which inhibits the action of sugar.
After
20 minutes: A leap in insulin levels in
bloodstream occurs.
After
40 minutes: Ingestion of caffeine is finally
completed. The eye’s pupils are expanding. Blood pressure rises because the
liver disposes more sugar into the bloodstream. The adenosine receptors become
blocked thereby preventing drowsiness.
After
45 minutes: The body raises production of
the dopamine hormone, which stimulates the brain pleasure center. Similar to
the reaction Heroin creates.
After
1 hour: Phosphoric acid binds calcium, magnesium
and zinc in the gastrointestinal tract, which supercharges metabolism. The
release of calcium through urine takes place.
After
more than 1 hour: Diuretic effects of the drink
enters in “the game”. The calcium, magnesium and zinc are removed out of the
body, which are a part of our bones, as well as sodium. At this time we can
become irritable or subdued. The whole quantity of water, contained in a coca
cola, is removed through urination.
When
having a cold bottle of Coke and enjoying its undeniable freshness are we aware
of what chemical “cocktail” we are putting into our bodies? The active
ingredient in Coca-Cola is orthophosphoric acid. Due to its high acidity,
cisterns used for transporting the chemical have to be equipped with special
reservoirs designed for highly corrosive materials.
Let’s
have a look at “the anatomy” of one of the most advertised products of
“Coca-Cola Co.” – Coca-Cola Light without caffeine. This drink contains Aqua
Carbonated, E150D, E952, E951, E338, E330, Aromas, E211.
Aqua
Carbonated – this is sparkling water. It stirs
gastric secretion, increases the acidity of the gastric juice and provokes
flatulency. Filtered tap water is what is primarily used.
E150D – this is food coloring obtained through the processing of
sugar at specified temperatures, with or without addition of chemical reagents.
In the case of coca-cola, ammonium sulfate is added.
E952 – Sodium Cyclamate is a sugar substitute. Cyclamate is a
synthetic chemical, has a sweet taste, which is 200 times sweeter than sugar,
and is used as an artificial sweetener. In 1969 it was banned by FDA, since it,
as well as saccharin and aspartame, caused cancer in rats.
E950 – Acesulfame Potassium. 200 times sweeter than sugar,
containing methyl-ether. It aggravates the operation of the cardiovascular
system. Likewise, it contains asparaginic acid which can also cause an excitant
effect on our nervous system and in time it can lead to addiction. Acesulfame
is badly dissolved and is not recommended for use by children and pregnant
women.
E951 – Aspartame. A sugar substitute for diabetics and is
chemically unstable at elevated temperatures it breaks down into methanol and
phenylalanine. Methanol is very dangerous as only 5-10ml can cause destruction
of the optic nerve and irreversible blindness. In warm soft drinks, aspartame
transforms into formaldehyde which is a very strong carcinogen. Symptoms of
aspartame poisoning include: unconsciousness, headaches, fatigue, dizziness, nausea,
palpitation, weight gain, irritability, anxiety, memory loss, blurry vision,
fainting, joint pains, depression, infertility, hearing loss and more.
Aspartame can also provoke the following diseases: brain tumors, MS (Multiple
Sclerosis), epilepsy, Graves’ disease, chronic fatigue, Alzheimer’s, diabetes,
mental deficiency and tuberculosis. Later, this substance was initially
illegal due to its dangers but was again made legal in a suspicious manner.
E338 – Orthophosphoric Acid. This can cause irritation of the
skin and eyes. It is used for production of phosphoric acid salts of ammonia,
sodium, calcium, aluminum and also in organic synthesis for the production of
charcoal and film tapes. It is also used in the production of refractory
materials, ceramics, glass, fertilizers, synthetic detergents, medicine,
metalworking, as well as in the textile and oil industries. It is known that orthophosphoric
acid interferes with the absorption of calcium and iron into the body which can
cause weakening of bones and osteoporosis. Other side effects are thirst and
skin rashes.
E330 – Citric Acid. It is widely used in pharmaceutical and food
industries. Salts of citric acid (citrates) are used in the food industry as
acids, preservatives, stabilizers, and in the medical fields – for preserving
blood.
Aromas – unknown aromatic additives
E211 – Sodium Benzoate. It is used in production of some food products
for anti-bacterial and anti-fungal purposes. It is often found in jams, fruit
juices and fruit yogurts. It’s not recommended for use by asthmatics and people
who are sensitive to aspirin. A study conducted by Peter Piper at the Sheffield
University in Britain, found that this compound causes significant damage to
DNA. According to Peter, sodium benzoate which is an active component in
preservatives, doesn’t destroy DNA, but deactivates it. This can lead to
cirrhosis and degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease.
Coca-Cola
is undeniably a very useful product. The key is to use it for purposes that do
not include drinking! Here is a video about Coca-Cola!
Source:Collective evolution
Coke
is the most valuable brand in history, and “Coca-Cola” is the world’s
second-most recognized word after “hello.” However, the beverage itself
is an absolute poison to the human metabolism. Coke is very close to
the acidity level of battery acid and consequently it can clean surfaces
equivalent to and often better than many toxic household cleaners.
It’s cheaper and easier to buy Coke in some third world countries
than it is to access clean water. Coke uses “public relations
propaganda” to convince consumers and entire nations that it is an
“environmental company” when really it is linked to pollution, water
shortages, and disease.
People who consume soft drinks such as Coke have a 48% increase in
heart attack and stroke risk, compared to people who did not drink the
sodas at all or did not drink them every day. A study published in the
journal Respirology reveals that soft drink consumption is
also associated with lung and breathing disorders including asthma and
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The carbonation in Coke causes calcium loss in the bones through a 3-stage process:
The carbonation irritates the stomach.
The stomach “cures” the irritation the only way it knows how. It
adds the only antacid at its disposal: calcium. It gets this from the
blood.
The blood, now low on calcium, replenishes its supply from the
bones. If it did not do this, muscular and brain function would be
severely impaired.
But, the story doesn’t end there. Another problem with most Coke is
it also contain phosphoric acid (not the same as the carbonation, which
is carbon dioxide mixed with the water). Phosphoric acid also causes a
draw-down on the body’s store of calcium. So Coke softens your bones (actually, makes them weak and brittle) in 3 ways:
Carbonation reduces the calcium in the bones.
Phosphoric acid reduces the calcium in the bones.
The beverage replaces a calcium-containing alternative, such as milk
or water. Milk and water are not excellent calcium sources, but they
are sources.
Esophageal cancer was very rare two generations ago — now, it’s common. The basic mechanism works as follows:
Mechanical damage to cells is a huge risk factor for cancer. It’s why asbestos particles, for example, cause lung cancer.
All soft drinks cause acid reflux (stomach acid rising up past the
esophageal valve). This is more pronounced when the body is horizontal
(as in sleeping), but the sheer volume of Coke and soft drinks consumed
in the USA means the acid reflux is well past the danger point. Any time
you ingest a gassy drink, you are going to get belching–and acid into
the esophagus. How much is too much? The research doesn’t say where the
limit is–it only shows that most of us are far, far, far past it.
tomach acid dissolves tissue — that’s its purpose. The stomach
lining does not extend into the esophagus, so the lower esophagus gets
damaged by acid far more frequently in soft drink users than in non soft
drink users. This results in a radical increase in cell mutations,
along with a far higher level of free radicals.
- See more at:
http://www.collective-evolution.com/2013/09/22/what-happens-to-our-body-after-drinking-coca-cola/#sthash.HQGzzUAS.dpuf
Well certainly, having a positive outlook can alter your perception of reality—which can be beneficial—but does it actually alter reality per se? As an integrative physician, holistic healer, and meditation practitioner, I am confronted with this issue every day. In fact, this may be the most profound question in the age-old contemplation of consciousness within spirituality, philosophy… and yes, even science: What role does consciousness play in the establishment of reality?
