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Scleroderma

October 3rd 2011 07:09
Scleroderma, meaning "hard skin," takes its name from one of the more obvious symptoms of this illness. The disease causes thickening and hardening of the skin and damages arteries, joints and internal organs such as the lungs and kidneys. The treatment of scleroderma follows the various aspects of the disease as just described. The change in skin color associated with Raynaud's phenomenon indicates a dramatic loss of the normal blood supply to the fingers, which should be avoided or treated immediately. A warm bath is one of the fastest and most effective ways to warm the fingers. In emergency situations, the fingers can be placed under the warmer parts of the body, such as the armpits and the abdomen. If the Raynaud's phenomenon is not treated, the patient may develop digital ulcers or sores, requiring amputation of the finger tips in extreme cases. Most of the patients suffering from scleroderma have antibodies (produced by the B cells) that bind self components. There are two main kinds of antibodies involved in scleroderma, anticentromere antibodies, and anti-topoisomerase-I antibodies.




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Ultraviolet light kill cells

September 23rd 2011 13:51
Ultraviolet (UV) light kills cells by damaging their DNA. The light initiates a reaction between two molecules of thymine, one of the bases that make up DNA. The resulting thymine dimer is very stable, but repair of this kind of DNA damage--usually by excising or removing the two bases and filling in the gaps with new nucleotides--is fairly efficient. Even so, it breaks down when the damage is extensive. The longer the exposure to UV light, the more thymine dimers are formed in the DNA and the greater the risk of an incorrect repair or a "missed" dimer. If cellular processes are disrupted because of an incorrect repair or remaining damage, the cell cannot carry out its normal functions. At this point, there are two possibilities, depending on the extent and location of the damage. If the damage is not too extensive, cancerous or precancerous cells are created from healthy cells. If it is widespread, the cell will die.


Basically, UV kills cells because of the accumulation of DNA damage. A gene product, called p53, is one of the responsible parties for slowing the cell cycle and checking for damage. If the damage is fixable, p53 sends in the repair machinery. If the damage is too extensive, it directs the cell to apoptosis, or programmed cell death.
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Umbilical cord blood stem-cell therapy

September 7th 2011 06:28
Blood that remains in the human umbilical cord and placenta after birth supplies doctors with a rich source of hematopoietic progenitor cells (stem cells), the precursors of all other blood cells. Bone marrow from donors has traditionally been used as a source of stem cells for restoration of diseased bone marrow, but researchers have demonstrated that cord blood provides an excellent alternative source. Thus, cord blood is utilized for the treatment of many diseases--such as leukemia, sickle cell anemia and Hodgkin's disease--that are typically remedied by bone marrow transplants. There appear to be several advantages to using stem cells from umbilical cord blood, including rapid availability, potential to expand the ethnic diversity of the donor pool (minorities are vastly underrepresented in bone marrow donor pools), no donor risk, less likelihood of viral contamination and less risk of graft-versus-host disorder (GVHD). GVHD is a significant consideration because stem cells from a donor's bone marrow often recognize the host as foreign, resulting in complications after transplantation. Cord blood stem cells are potentially less immunologically active and may pose less risk of GVHD than stem cells from bone marrow. The future holds great promise for the use of umbilical cord blood stem cells. In the transplantation discipline, collection of data from clinical trials will continue to improve knowledge, thereby helping to increase survival rates.




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Tissue engineering

August 25th 2011 09:10
Tissue engineering integrates the sciences of biomaterials, cell biology, biochemistry, biomedical engineering and transplantation to create tissue and organ substitutes. Starting with a few human cells, tissue engineers simulate the environments that allow cells to develop into viable tissue. The primary motivation behind tissue engineering is the ongoing, dire need for available, safe and transplantable organs and tissues. Every year thousands of people die waiting for hearts, livers, lungs and kidneys simply because there aren't enough transplantable organs to go around. Similarly, the need for other human tissues such as skin and cartilage is constant, and the availability (or lack thereof) can make a real difference in the lives of burn and accident victims. Tissue engineering has the potential to redefine tissue and organ repair and replacement. Tissue engineering will soon address the tremendous number of problems seen by patients who require replacements of skin, bone and other tissues and organs.


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Muscle Stiffness

August 12th 2011 09:20
Muscle stiffness is caused when the muscles in a certain area of the body contract and become tense. Muscle stiffness can sometimes occur if you don’t warm up and cool down before and after a workout. When you perform strenuous exercise and you have not stretched your muscles you usually develop muscle stiffness the next day. Sometimes the stiffness lasts several days. If muscles are healthy, muscle stiffness may be caused from an insect bite, an infection, an injury or possibly bleeding in the muscle and various medical conditions. Stiff muscles in the neck area can be caused by something as simple as poor sleeping posture or being exposed to cold weather for long periods of time. It can be caused by physical conditions that stem from an injury, whiplash, arthritis or various spinal disorders.

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Halogen bulbs are versatile, provide a good source of light and last slightly longer than regular bulbs, but have no reported ill-effects to humans. Halogen bulbs are safe if used continuously for several hours. They are dangerous only if they are overheated as this can lead to catch on fire. Their advantage is that they last for a long time. Moreover, if you touch it with your bear figures than it can the bulb can be damaged. In 1992, the University of Genoa in Italy released a study linking halogen bulbs to skin cancer. The FDA claims that there isn't enough evidence to warrant action. Although halogen bulbs burn longer than traditional light bulbs, but not as long as compact fluorescent bulbs, they can pose a fire hazard as they burn very hot. The biggest caution has to be keeping the bulbs away from drapes or other flammable materials and avoid touching them. Many fire departments around the world have issued warnings about them. In certain types of fixtures can be dangerous. Torchiere lamps should not be used around children because they can be easily knocked over and cause a fire. Halogen lamps, however, have a higher incidence of exploding and/or catching fire than florescent or incandescent bulbs.





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Endometriosis

July 29th 2011 05:56
Endometriosis is a condition in females where endrometrial cells, typically found in the uterine cavity, are deposited in inappropriate locations. Endometriosis is a condition in which the uterine lining grows on other parts of the body (typically in the pelvic area). These cells are intended to line the uterine cavity, but often during years of reproduction an egg implantation outside of the uterus will cause the endometrial cells to deposit outside of the uterus. The most common symptom is pelvic pain. This pain correlates to a women's menstrual cycle and can be severe and in some cases debilitating. Endometriosis affects women in their reproductive years. Endometriosis can be treated with medications, such as, NSAIDS and other anit-imfammatories.
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River Blindness

July 23rd 2011 03:28
River blindness is a debilitating disease caused by a parasitic worm, and is the second leading cause of infectious blindness in the world. Infections are spread by a blackfly that lives near running water. It is also called onchocerciasis, because the worm that causes the disease is Onchocerca volvulus. There is no vaccine or preventative drug for river blindness. Infected individuals may have eye lesions, a skin rash, and possibly bumps under the skin. In the most serious cases, the eye lesions lead to blindness. Prevention efforts have included spraying fast-flowing rivers with insecticides that target the fly larvae.

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Stomach Virus

July 1st 2011 10:59
Gastroenteritis or "stomach virus" is a viral infection of the small intestine that usually lasts 24 to 72 hours. The virus which causes this disease is easily transmitted through unwashed hands that serve food or beverages. A stomach virus is a virus that infects the lining of the gastrointestinal tract causing irritation, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. It is transmitted from human to human through hand contact with a surface or other hand that has been exposed to the virus, or through an exchange of sputum infected with the virus such as through cough propelled fluids.

Stomach viruses are viruses that cause gastrointestinal illness, such as vomiting and diarrhea. They can be spread by drinking infected water, touching bodily fluids of an infected individual, or eating food by someone who is infected and did not adequately wash their hands. Common stomach viruses include Rotavirus and Norwalk virus.
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Complex Cyst

June 28th 2011 10:50
A complex cyst is in the ovary. It is part tissue and part liquid. It is also very painful. Some women can be treated by medication or surgery.

It is a collection of fluids in the ovary that is surrounded by a thin wall. As far as if it can be cancerous any cyst can be cancerous. It would probably be a good idea for you to go in and see your doctor for a consult so they can explain it better.
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MTHFR Gene Mutation

June 21st 2011 13:24
MTHFR gene mutation is a rare genetic defect that causes pregnancy complications, such as miscarriage and chromosomal abnormalities (e. g. Downs Syndrome). MTHFR is short 5,10-ethylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a genetic mutation that inhibits the absorption of folic acid. This mutation prevents the production of enzymes needed to make amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Lack of folic acid in a pregnant woman results in an increased incidence of Downs Syndrome, Spina Bifida, neural tube defects or other congenital anomalies.
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Berkeley blood test

June 9th 2011 18:14
The Berkeley blood test is a cholesterol test. The Berkeley blood test is an extension of a lipid panel, that in addition to choleterol levels, may help increase patients' risk factors for heart disease. It gives a more detailed report on cardiovascular health than a basic cholesterol test. It identifies a range of abnormalities, helping your doctor prescribe the best course of treatment. The Berkeley blood test is an evaluation of blood plasma lipids and lipoprotein subparticles, measured by gradient gel electrophoresis technology, used by physicians for the assessment of cardiovascular disease risk.


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Naproxene

May 26th 2011 17:18
Naproxen is part of the generic name for a medicine called naproxen sodium. Most popular brand name of this is Naprosyn. Naproxen is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is used in over the counter pain killers such as Aleve.

Uses of Naproxene:

1. It is used to reduce fever, treat inflammation, alleviate pain and treat symptoms related to osteoporosis, arthritis, menstrual cramps, gout and a wide range of other conditions to reduce pain and increase blood flow.

2. Naproxen is a prescription anti inflamatory used to treat inflamation and pain associated with inflamation.

3. It is used for relief of symptoms associated with PMS, migraine headache, and sometimes for back or leg muscle strains.

4. Naproxen works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.
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10 Ways To Cut Down Calories

May 14th 2011 05:34
A small spoonful (5mL) of most cooking oils has more than 40 calories. So, use only a few drops while cooking.

Change your nonstick pans once the coating wears off. The expense is worth the calories saved.

All the foods that you eat fried can be eaten grilled, roasted, or steamed. This means oil-free cooking and considerable calories saved.

Instead of having fruit juice at breakfast, have fruits. While an average orange has about 60 calories, a glass (250mL) of orange juice has more than 100 calories.

Soft drinks are an easy route through which calories sneak into your body. Avoid these sugary drinks and have more water instead.

Fruit smoothies, flavored ice candies, flavored yogurt are all relatively low calorie options. An appealing bowl of chilled mixed fruits can also help take your mind off the ice-cream.

Low fat milk and yogurt has about half the calories as its full fat version. Instead of avoiding dairy altogether switch to the low fat variety.

Make it a habit to put your food on a plate or bowl before you eat it. This means not eating handfuls directly from the bag.

Calorie cutting should be a slow and steady effort rather than the launch of a sudden war against food. Try to reduce and change your eating habits over a couple of weeks and not overnight.

Eat at home before stepping out or carry a homemade snack in your bag. Eat out only when you are eating-out.
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