Which Day is the Busiest Day for Christmas Shopping?

If you ask retailers they tell you it is not Black Friday nor it is Cyber Monday. The busiest day for shopping is the Saturday just before Christmas Day.

Are You Interested in Becoming A Physician Assistant?

If you are, a new Physician Assistant (PA) program is now accepting applications for next Fall 2011. The program is located in Buies Creek, North Carolina and run by Campbell University. For more information, see our link to Campbell University on this page. The program is offered by the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. First interviews for the PA program were today (November 30, 2010). They anticipate the first class to be about 25-30 students. The length of the PA program is 30 months. Students are expected to take didactic and clinical courses. Upon graduation, students will earn a Master degree. Physicians Assistants work under physician's supervision in hospitals and clinics. They are qualified to do most of the tasks that a physician does in a general medical practice environment. The annual salary range varies greatly, but is expected to start at low 60s and can go well above $100,000.

More on "Who is a Christian?"

Jesus Christ came as a Jewish Rabbi. He said that he came not to destroy the Jewish faith, but rather to make it whole. So, Salvation came to the Jews not to change them to Christians, but rather to bring clarity to their faith and belief. Those who found Jesus in the Old Testament are saved, despite their Jewish faith. Perhaps the most difficult question (or one of the most difficult ones) is that: Can an atheist be a Christian? Is it the "belief" that makes a Christian or the good deed/Christian acts? The message of Jesus was inclusive and not exclusive. The message of Jesus was liberating; it is no longer a slave or a master, a man or a woman, a Jew or a Gentile, we are all one in Christ. Jesus does not belong to anyone. We all belong to him. And, He wants us all. Amen.

Who is a Christian?

This question may seem simple, but in reality it is not. Are you a Christian because you were baptized? Are you a Christian because you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior? Many will answer to these two questions with a definite YES. Now, a more difficult question; could someone who is not baptized, but believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior be a Christian? Even a more difficult question: Could a Muslim or a Hindu be labeled a Christian if he follows the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ by spreading love and peace, by loving his neighbors as himself? Jesus said those who do what my Father in Heaven desires are the children of God. Jesus said that those who obey my commandments shall enter the Kingdom of God. Many Christians believe that unless you are a Christian you cannot enter the Kingdom of God. However, that would exclude a good billion or two of people. Jesus died for all men and women. He came to save all human beings. The salvation is not restricted to one denomination, religion, or country. We say may God Bless America; the French people say may God bless France; the Iranians say may God bless Iran etc. We are all saved with the grace of God. Christians should not hold salvation hostage and deny it to others. Hindus, Muslims, Jews, and others can find Jesus speaking to them through their faith, and those who follow their faith shall be saved. Jesus Christ came to save all, and He is saving all people through their faith in God. Amen

Cherry and Gout

Gout is commonly found in people who love to eat meat. It can be painful at times. Eating cherry is thought to relieve the symptoms of gout.

Cholera of 1854: Europe

In 1854, cholera struck again in London, Europe. Hospitals were full of dead people with a mortality rate of 50%, except for one hospital. This hospital was in England and was run by homeopathic physicians. The mortality rate there was only 16.4%. Actually, the "Medical Board" tried to suppress this data from the English Parliament, and if it was not for Lord Grosvenor who demanded the release of all the statistics from all the hospitals, this information would have been buried from the public's eyes up until now. So much for the open transparency of the allopathic medicine; suppressing the truth was their way of business. And, unfortunately, it has not changed much over the years, it just has become less obvious and more dubious. (Just read about all the drugs' data that some of the pharmaceutical companies try to hide or suppress from the FDA, and not until people start to become sick this data is suddenly discovered.) [Read the story of Baycol (c) produced by Bayer (R). It was removed off the shelves by the FDA due to its heart muscle toxicity.]

Cyber Monday

While Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving, Cyber Monday is the first Monday following Thanksgiving. It is the day that people are supposed to order their gifts on the Internet. Isn't it funny (and depressing) how this holly season has shrunk to this non-sense? It is unbelievable.

Human Insulin: Non-Injectable Preparations

Human insulin (HINS) is used in the management of diabetes. It does not cure diabetes, but rather it provides the hormone in the blood for those who cannot produce it. All the preparations of HINS are given by injection. Often, the patient may require several injections daily of HINS. Research in this area is now focusing on making non-injectable preparations for HINS. Alternative routes of administration are being explored including oral, buccal, lungs, rectal, vaginal, topical, ocular, and nasal. Currently (not in the U.S.), a buccal aerosol formulation that sprays HINS in the mouth is being used in some Arab countries, India, and El Ecuador. Oral formulations are being developed mainly by attaching HINS to a carrier system or by modifying its chemical structure to overcome its degradation by the gastrointestinal enzymes. Few years ago, several companies in the U.S. were working on an inhaled form of HINS. Some of these products even appeared on the U.S. market for one year, however they were taken off the market by the pharmaceutical companies citing several side effects. The most promising products are the oral formulations (capsules or tablets) that may become available to the public soon (within the next 5-10 years).

Today was "Black Friday"

Black Friday is the day that follows Thanksgiving. I did go out to a couple of local stores with my son. I bought few items that I needed for home. Walmart in Cary, NC was not busier than any regular Saturday, although for some unknown reason all shopping carts were gone! A guy was hired to check everybody's bag upon their exist from the 'electronic' door. He placed a yellow mark on my sales ticket, looked inside my bag, and asked me to leave. (I did not have to take off my shoes this time. Perhaps next Christmas season, Walmart will act tougher.)

Is War Between North Korea and South Korea Eminent?

The simple answer to that is a definite No. Despite its apparent toughness and aggression, North Korea is really scare about its future. Its people are dying from hunger, political prisoners are in prisons being tortured, and life for an average North Korean is simply hell. In order to survive in North Korea you have to either be a selected politician or a member in the arm forces. The North Koreans armament is antiquated and they probably will loose any war they would start in a matter of a few days (remember Saddam?) The reason I said that the North Koreans will never begin a war with the South because the "ruling family" is not stupid. This family acts tough only in front of its people, but deep down they know if they begin any war with the South they will loose it in a matter of days. The ruling family would be captured and then put on trial for crimes against humanity. Actually, it would be humanitarian to get rid of the North Korea's "ruling family" by starting a war. Millions would be set free and their humanity would be restored. This Sunday will come and go. The U.S. Navy will complete successfully its joint military exercises with the South. The North will be watching with awe and trumbling with fear. They will calm down after these exercises are done. And, they will go back to torture more people to relieve their fear. I heard recently that God has created a hell within hell for North Korea's "ruling family". This new hell was prompted after Satan has protested to God that there is no room in hell for people like those!

How to Prepare Syrups for Diabetic Patients?

Diabetic patients are normally placed on a restricted diet. For diabetic patients, syrups that do not contain sugars or substances that can convert to sugars (e.g., glycerol) are desirable. For that, cellulosic materials, such as hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, are used in making the syrup instead of sugars. Cellulosic materials render the viscosity of the preparation very similar to that of regular syrups. In addition, these materials do not get absorbed by the body. Artificial sweeteners, such as splenda (c) or stevia, are used to render the preparation sweet in taste. These syrups are used in a great success as vehicles for oral medications as well as to sweeten teas.

North Carolina's Christmas Tree

North Carolina is the second largest producer of Christmas trees in the US. Last year alone, the sales from Christmas trees in North Carolina totalled $100 million. Thank you very much.

Happy Thanksgiving--November 25, 2010

We have a lot to be thankful for. The Good Book says "thank God for everything." It did not say only for the good stuff; thank God for EVERYTHING. Happy Thanksgiving, as we thank the good Lord for everything He showers on us. Amen

Massage Therapy Business: The Different Factors

Massage Therapists (MTs) are alternative health professionals who are licensed in 42 states. MTs can work under different job umbrellas. One option is to work for a spa-type business. MTs working in a spa expect to receive tips and about 30%-50% of the cost of the session. The remaining percentage goes to the spa. Working in a spa environment is rewarding, but yet physically stressful. The good points of working at a spa are 1) MTs do not have to worry about advertising and marketing, 2) MTs do not have to worry about renting an office and paying rent, and 3) MTs do not have to handle credit cards or payments by clients. Another place for MTs to work is at the chiropractor's office. No tipping occurs at the clinic, and the chiropractors normally pay the MTs by the hour; they are considered as independent contractors. A third option for MTs is to have their own business. However, they have to do everything from marketing to treating to finance handling issues. There are few companies now contract with MTs to have them serve special industries, such hotels and resorts. In this case, the MTs are also considered as independent contractors. Some MTs make a lot of money, and some struggle to make a descent living (barely the minimum wage.) An average massage therapy hour costs $60 (+/- $10). Massage therapy can be rewarding, but it is a lot of work. Thank God for MTs for contributing to the general health of people. Massage therapy is a gift from heaven.

Darvon and Darvocet: Interaction with Caffeine

The anti-pain drugs Darvon and Darvocet were pull off the market by the FDA citing heart problem risks. Caffeine in coffee and other drinks can cause a bad reaction with these two drugs if taken together. The symptoms can be severe enough to mimic a heart attack.

Do You Remember This "Old" Technology: The Diskettes?

Whatever happened to the computer "Diskettes"? I thought they were wonderful. I have so many of them full of data. I cannot open them with my new computer, and I cannot find any computer old enough to open them. I bet I could find an old computer that works with them on ebay. It is worth trying.

Scenes From Washington DC (Spring 2007)

Touch Therapy--Massage Therapy

Perhaps one of the disadvantages of technology is that the loss of human touch. Touch is essential for health. Studies showed that babies who are not cuddled, touched, and loved they just get sick and even die. Touch receptors located on the skin not only to protect us and to warn us about our immediate environment, but also are important to "feel human". The elderly people may be the most in need for touch, and that is why owning a pet (dogs and cats) is therapeutic. Massage therapy is very helpful as a touch therapy as well. It activates the immune system as well as supports a relaxation response which is very healthy by itself. Hug your love ones today; touch your love ones today; act like an Italian for once for goodness sake. It is therapeutic.

The Practitioner Effect

In Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) practitioners play a major role in the healing process of the client. Healing begins the moment the client meets with the practitioner. Clients who feel they are helped by a concerned passionate practitioner respond better to therapy and heal faster. This "personal touch" in medicine is lost today. Physicians rely heavily on technology and laboratory results, so it does not matter anymore if the patient is present at the clinic or talking to his physician via e-mail. Physicians often wonder why a particular treatment would not work, forgetting how important and essential the personal touch to healing. CAM modalities work by activating the inner healing power of the body to heal itself. Call it placebo or whatever, it does work. The more the Western Medicine divorces itself from that personal touch the more its therapies become ineffective.

Massage Therapy: Requirements for Practitioners

Massage therapy (MT) is a complementary modality that is gaining main stream acceptance. Almost all states have established licensing requirements for the practice of MT, except for eight. Although these requirements can differ from one state to another, the basic ones are age (18 years or older), a minimum of a high school diploma, a minimum of a 500-hour massage therapy training school diploma, passing a national board exam (there are several that are accepted), an application form and fee. Most states grant the license for two years with the option for renewal if the practitioner has taken at least 12 continuing education credits per year including a minimum of 2 credit hours in ethics. Massage therapist's fee varies among practitioners, however most charge $1/minute. On average, the massage therapist makes $30,000 per year.

Democrats Maintain Leadership in Both the House and the Senate

The Democratic Party will maintain its leaders in the Senate and the House in testimony of the effective leadership and the trust the Democratic Party has in their leaders. Senator Reid and Congresswoman Pelosi will keep serving in leadership positions. We applaud the Democratic Party for their continuous support to their leadership. While Senator Reid remains in his former position, Congresswoman Pelosi will serve as the new Majority Leader.

Miller Looses in Alaska Senate Seat

"Tea Party" candidate Joe Miller lost today to the Republican incumbent in the senate race in Alaska. This is another big loss for the so called "Tea Party".

A Cholera Case was Confirmed in the US

A cholera case was confirmed today in Florida. The case is linked to a woman who had a previous contact about a month ago (before the epidemic began) with relatives in Haiti. Her situation has improved greatly and it is under control.

Reusable Shopping Bags: The Lead Concern

You probably already own one of them. These are the shopping bags promoted at grocery stores as "environmentally friendly" because you can bring them with you to store every time you shop for foods. Have you read the label on the bag? It says "Made in China". Well, this may not be surprising on its own, however recent reports suggest that these bags contain a significantly high amount of lead in them. It is not clear at this time whether lead can leach out of the bag material and contaminate the bag content. Senator Charles Schumer (D, New York) is calling for an investigation into this matter.

Antibiotics and Superbugs

Superbugs, like MRSA, are becoming a public health issue with increasing concerns. It is unfortunate that the pharmaceutical industry appears to not have any interest in producing new antibiotics to fight the ever resistant germs in the environment. The reason is simple. There is no money in developing new antibiotics. Unless the government offers incentives for developing new antibiotics the future to maintain our triumph against infections is fading quickly. We are about to go back to the era where garlic and colloidal silver are few of the infection fighters available to physicians. In fact, natural health professionals are calling to the re-institution of colloidal silver in the fight against microbes. (The list of germs that are affected by colloidal silver includes MRSA---according to promoters of this preparation.) Echinacea, goldenseal, and tea tree oil are just a few more examples of the anti-germs herbal armament. A sign of the time is the use of anti-bacterial products all over the places. They marketed to moms and dads convincing them that the way to protect their children is to keep them in a sterile environment. Really? Since when playing in the dirt, football, basketball, baseball, or soccer makes our kids more vulnerable to infections. It is on the contrary. The more they are exposed to natural environment the more their immune system becomes ready to fight these germs. The "anti-germ" industry has done a good job in convincing the public that using their products would protect us from germs. How could we hide from germs? They are everywhere. There isn't enough "anti-germ" products available on the market to destroy any significant amount of germs anywhere. In fact, healthy environment requires the presence of germs. It is unfortunate that these products are becoming the norm in our daily life. Human being is supposed to be a part of the environment and not isolated from it. We belong to nature as is and we ought not to destroy it. Otherwise, the consequences of such damage to the environment is severe. MRSA and its sisters and brothers are just the beginning. Isn't time for human to begin nurturing the environment instead of destroying it?

Garlic

Garlic is a famous herb in gourmet foods. One serious interaction of garlic with drugs is with oral anti-diabetic medications. Garlic can, on its own, decrease blood sugar, and thus it enhances the action of these medications leading to hypoglycemia.

Ginseng

Ginseng is a tonic herb. It should be avoided in a couple of situations. Ginseng should not consumed by pregnant women nor should it be taken by patients who suffer from high blood pressure.

December 21, 2012

This date is becoming as familiar as Sunday to Christians. The importance of 12.21.2012 is the fact that it may the beginning of the end of planet Earth. Whether a man-made disaster (nuclear war), a comet hitting the planet, or other natural disasters (earthquakes, coastal flood, etc.) no one exactly knows. In fact, it is still debatable that 12.21.2012 is the doom day. I have heard preachers talking about it, philosophers, astronomers, professors, butchers, and milkmen. What it tells me that there is a universal anguish about this date. With the exception of one zero, the date is made-up of ones (3 ones) and twos (4 twos). I wonder if that of any significance. I am certain someone will have an explanation to these ones and twos. I am also certain it will be a depressing explanation.

Gold, Silver, or Dollars

I am not an economist. I am not an expert in gold, silver, or money either. More and more people are telling me to convert my cash (dollars) into gold or silver. (Most are advocating gold over silver.) The premise for that is the dollar power is diminishing because the government is printing money that is not necessary backed by gold. More cash floating on the market may stimulate the economy, but at the same time reduces the power of the almighty dollar. Their solution: convert your dollar into gold. Gold prices are rising daily and are keeping up with the economy. More money on the market means it cost more to buy foods, gas, cloth, etc... It also means that minimum wages must rise to meet the pressure of inflated prices. I have not panicked yet because I do not think this will happen. However, teachers, pastors, radio-talk shows, and others have been on the bandwagon preaching and advocating the case of gold. Unfortunately, the price of gold has been rising at a rate that the average American cannot afford it. Perhaps this will bring down the price of gold, and with the economy is recovering fast, the almighty dollar rules.

Acetate Buffer with a Buffer Capacity of 0.05 and a pH of 4.76: Calculations

In making buffer solutions, the buffer capacity of the solution is usually kept between 0.01 and 0.1. The maximum buffer capacity is observed at pH = pKa. For example, for an acetate buffer with a maximum buffer capacity of 0.05, the quantities of sodium acetate and acetic acid proceeds as follow: the pH of the buffer is 4.76 which is equals the pKa value. Thus, equal molar concentrations of the salt and the acid are used. The maximum buffer capacity = 0.05 = 0.576 C. Therefore, C = 0.0868 M. Thus, (0.5) (0.0868) = 0.0434 M of acetic acid and 0.0434 M of sodium acetate are used to produce an acetate buffer with a pH of 4.76.

Statins and Cancer Development

Statins are a group of drugs that reduce blood cholesterol level. In a recent study done by the American Cancer Society (ACS) found that the rate of cancer was 11.3% for patients taking statins for at least five years. This cancer rate was similar to that of the population, specifically for cancer of prostate, bladder, kidneys, pancreas, colon and rectum, lung, or breast. A piece of good news emerged from the ACS analysis; the cancer rate for the deadly skin disease melanoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and endometrial cancer were all reduced for patients taking statins (for a minimum of 5 years).

Racial Differences for Lung Cancer

According to reports from the CDC, black and white patients suffer the most from lung cancer than other racial groups. Black patients had the highest prevalence for the disease followed in a decreasing order by whites, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Asian/Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics. It is unclear at this point why a racial difference exists with respect to lung cancer.

Who Pays for Drug Review Done by the FDA?

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is charged in approving pharmaceutical products to be placed on the market. The main two components of this FDA approval are the Safety and Efficacy of the product. There is no such chemical that does not cause side effects if taken internally. However, the FDA considers in its approval process a balance between these two factors. A drug with a poor safety profile would never reach the market despite its efficacy. Or would it? Drugs are routinely removed from the market by the FDA for safety reasons. In fact, more than 6,500 pharmaceutical products are pulled out the pharmacy shelves since 1975! The process of FDA approval is tedious and requires experts panels to make a "recommendation" whether a pharmaceutical product should be available to the public. The decision is not always a straight forward one, and oftentimes the line between approval and denial is blurred. Surveys have revealed that "experts" sitting on these FDA panels oftentimes have ties to the pharmaceutical industry, and even ties to the same company its product is under review. Moreover, the Congress has passed laws to require that the cost of pharmaceutical products' review be paid, in part, by the pharmaceutical company sponsoring the submission. The FDA is being paid by the same sponsor to review the sponsor's product?! The Congress had good intention to shift the burden of cost from the taxpayer to the pharmaceutical industry, however by doing so has created a "conflict of interest". I propose a solution to this dilemma. Perhaps we can keep the burden of cost for review on the pharmaceutical industry, however the FDA will hire a private agency to submit the recommendation to it for approval. The private agency will be paid by the FDA, and decisions on the product rest solely with the private agency. As a requirement, the private agency's employees must have no ties with the pharmaceutical industry. And, for the FDA to over rule the recommendations of the private agency, the FDA has to come up with scientifically good reasons reviewed and approved by the Institute of Medicine. The system as it is now does not protect the consumer from "bad drugs". The recent cases with the COX-2 inhibitor drugs (anti-inflammatory agents) and their dangerous side effects on the heart muscle beg the question: Who is really watching out for us when it comes to drug safety?

What is the Calculated pH of Vinegar?

Vinegar is a 5% solution of acetic acid in water. To estimate the pH of vinegar at room temperature, we can calculate the hydronium ions concentration in vinegar by: [H+] = Square-root [(0.0000175) x (1.042)] = 0.00427 mole/L. The pH of vinegar is, therefore, {pH = - log [H+] = - log (0.00427) = 2.37}. Thus, vinegar stored at room temperature has a pH of 2.37 (calculated). Fasting stomach pH is normally between 1 and 3. Elderly people often suffer from low acidity in their stomach. Naturopathic physicians usually recommend the use of apple cider vinegar with meals to facilitate digestion. The pH of the stomach is important for proper digestion, because pepsin (the gastric enzyme responsible for digesting proteins) requires an acidic pH (usually about pH = 2.5) to be active. Basic pH environment deactivates pepsin, and patients suffer from indigestion.

Genetically Engineered Living Organisms

It is no secret that scientists have the technology to manipulate life. For example, in the field of medicine, genetically engineered bacteria are used to produce human insulin commonly used in the management of diabetes. (The old forms of insulin were from animal origin.) However, how would a genetically engineered mosquito impact on life itself? Would such new organism tilt the echo balance of our planet? I'd think so. For more information on this subject, see our Blog Posts on Dengue Fever.

Probability of Winning in McDonald's Monopoly Game

The McDonald's Monopoly Game (c) has ended on November 1, 2010. It was active between October 5th and November 1st. If you bought certain meals from the chain restaurant you would get Monopoly (c) chips with your purchase. If you collected a certain area on the Monopoly (c) board you would win a specific prize, including $1 million for the two blue chips. Among the prizes were also meals such as a medium french fries or a breakfast sandwich. The claim was that 1 out of 4 could win (25%) "something". A win was defined as any "win" (i.e., a small french fries and $1 million were both equally classified as a "win"). In a small experiment, I calculated the probability of getting 12 "wins" out of 108 chips (i.e., Pr (x = 12) given probability of "win" per chip was 25% and the total number of trials of 108). That probability was only approximately 0.11% (0.0011) (a very unusual event) based on binomial distribution calculations. I guess when you do not have luck, even McDonald's (c) classifies you as a looser.

Real Men Wear Gowns

This month is for Prostate Cancer. Remember, "Real Men Wear Gowns." If not for yourself, do it for your family.

Genetically Engineered Mosquitoe

The British seemingly have succeeded in modifying the genes in male mosquitoes to make them dependent on the antibiotic tetracycline. Without it the mosquitoes simply die. They experienced recently on a limited basis in the Cayman Islands and were successful in wiping out 80% of the mosquito population in a matter of six months. The experiment was performed by releasing the genetically engineered male mosquitoes to the environment, when these mosquitoes began to produce offspring, the newly formed mosquitoes died immediately after birth. The gene was transferred to the offspring and the "baby mosquitoes" needed tetracycline like a new puppy needs his mother's milk. Without tetracycline, the newly formed mosquitoes simply died.

Where is the CDC: Dengue Fever

On February 28, 2009, BMP reported the presence of Dengue Fever cases in Bolivia. The disease spread gradually to other neighboring countries (Argentina and the Dominican Republic) and is now present on the U.S. soil. We appeal to the CDC to take measures and warn the public on the danger of this disease. Mosquito control is of utmost importance, and the British seemingly have created a genetically engineered mosquito that can wipe out the mosquito population in a matter of few months (see our other posts on Dengue Fever). However, using such a method can be devastating to the echo system. Dengue Fever is already in Florida, and it may begin to spread to neighboring states. CDC, if you are listening, please warn the public to take appropriate precautions.

November is Prostate Cancer Month

While October is Breast Cancer month, the month of November is dedicated to Prostate Cancer. More death occurs from Prostate Cancer than from Breast Cancer. Unfortunately, men do not consult with physicians as do women. Thus, many Prostate Cancer cases go undetected for many years. It is highly recommended that all men 50 years or older undergo a prostate screening exam (digital exam) and a blood test (PSA). Those with a family history for Prostate Cancer (or any other types of cancer) should start the exam earlier at age 40. PSA on its own is not good enough to detect Prostate Cancer, and with a digital exam the odds for detecting an early cancer are greater. The digital exam, although slightly unpleasant, does not cause pain at all; it causes mild discomfort for perhaps 10 to 15 seconds. Do not let a 15-second discomfort to kill you. Man-up and make your appointment with your doctor today. Do it for your family and yourself.

Infectious Diseases: Cholera and Polio

You probably already heard about the outbreak of cholera in Haiti, but did you hear about Polio? According to United Nations sources, an outbreak of Polio cases has been reported mainly in the city of Pointe-Noire in Congo-Brazzaville. The number of death from Polio is stated to be close to 100 and over 220 persons have been paralyzed. It seems that this outbreak is fast moving and infecting many in this West African nation.

Melanoma Screening

The highest incidence of melanoma (a deadly skin cancer type) is found in males aged 50 years or older. Yet these patients do not seem to submit themselves to skin screening. Recent studies found that only 1 in 4 patients in this age group undergo regular skin screening.

Acute Kidney Injury

Two biomarkers in urine may be linked to acute kidney injury, according to recent studies. These are the monocyte chemo-attractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and its mRNA.

Dengue Fever Control

In an attempt to control Dengue Fever in Cayman Islands, authorities released to the environment mosquitoes that had been altered genetically. These genetically modified male mosquitoes cannot survive unless they are fed tetracycline (an antibiotic). When they produce offspring, the new mosquitoes are born with this defect and die as well from lack of tetracycline. In a limited experiment, 80% of the mosquitoes population in have been destroyed in a period of six months. Opponents to destroying mosquitoes have indicated that this might create a disaster in the echo system on the planet. You think!?

Dengue Fever is in the USA

A case of Dengue Fever was reported Thursday (November 11, 2010) by health authorities in Dade County, Florida. This case was from Miami and was the first to be seen in the USA in over 50 years. Authorities stated that an infected mosquito transmitted the illness to this person, an indication that at least one other person is carrying this infectious disease somewhere in that region.

Fear

Fear is a powerful emotion in human psyche. Fear can in certain situations causes death. Recently, a 79-year old woman died of fear when two robbers hid in her house after they robbed a nearby bank. The woman discovered their presence in her house and died instantly from fear. The jury found the robbers guilty of a second-degree murder. Scientists know that the center of fear in the brain is the amygdala (a small almond-shape region in the brain). Destroying the amygdala also destroys any phobia or fear. Recent research studies found that the amygdala contains two types of neurons, one type inhibits fear whereas the other type produces fear. The good Lord said "let your heart not be troubled", and your amygdala as well.

Evidence the Economy is Already Recovered

I just "tried" to go to one of the malls in Raleigh, NC today. This mall is huge and supposedly has many parking spaces. Well, one hour later I could not find a single parking space to park my car. I think this is an early good news to the shopping industry this Christmas. Happy early Christmas.

Tea Party is Un-American

In America, we stand tall and work hard to achieve our goals. In America, we respect others and do not talk lies about others because it is also un-Christian. In America, we help each other. In America, we respect the Office of the President and the President. In America, we respect our Representatives in Congress. In America, we respect authorities and laws. In America, we give thanks to the Almighty for his goodness and mercy on us. In America, we die in order to protect our freedom. In America, we respect every body's faith: Muslim, Hindu, Judaism, Christianity, and even those who do not believe in God. In America, we help other nations on the planet who are less fortunate than us. In America, we express our political views peacefully, and in an organized manner. In America, to follow the Constitution is part of our life. The so-called "Tea Party" is none of the above. First of all, there is no such thing as the "Tea Party". These are folks who tried and still in the process of trying to deliver a "Coup D'Etat" to topple the Republican Party and to take it over. The mere dependence of the so-called "Tea Party" on another existing party speaks volumes on its own. The so-called "Tea Party" candidates across the nation lost big this past elections. They lost because in America we respect rules and order; we do not respect those who "cheat, lie, and steal" just to get what they want. In America, we respect the Democratic process to run this Republic. It is time for the Republican Party to "man-up" and control their "children".

Physicians and Medicines

It is no secret that many physicians in the United States learn about the use of drugs from drug representatives. Oftentimes, the drug representatives bring with them free drug samples, and many physicians accept these for distribution to their patients. The doctors justify the acceptance of samples by stating that these will help patients who cannot afford the medicines. However, studies have shown that this justification is not true, and the majority of drug samples go to wealthy people with medical insurance. Drug companies are in the business of giving money and gifts to physicians, and unfortunately this would eventually reflect on their prescription pattern. Next time you visit your doctor ask him/her if they receive any money or gifts from pharmaceutical companies. If the answer is affirmative, then just leave the office. If all of us do that, the physicians eventually get it. Physicians live in an alternate world; it is time that we brought them back to planet Earth.

Colloidal Silver

Dispersed systems are divided into three classes: (1) molecular dispersions, (2) colloidal dispersions, and (3) coarse dispersions. The distinction between the three classes is based on the size of the particulate matter of the suspended phase. For molecular dispersions the size is less than 1 nm, it is between 1 nm and 0.5 micrometer for the colloidal class, and larger than 0.5 micrometer for the coarse dispersions. Currently, many in the alternative and complimentary medicine area have advocated the use of Colloidal Silver (CS) for "treating" many diseases and conditions (as an antibacterial/antiseptic preparation) . The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers CS to be a dietary supplement, thus therapeutic claims are not allowed for its use. The FDA has issued several warnings on CS and warned companies to stop making therapeutic claims for this product. The current position of the FDA on CS is that the preparation is NOT safe to take or use for anything. Proponents of CS describe the preparation to have "magical" power to overcome many diseases, mostly infectious diseases, including MRSA. No substantial scientific and clinical proofs have been submitted to support such astonishing power of the formulation. The United States Pharmacopoeia has included silver products among its monographs, however it discontinued its listing of these products since 1975. One company, American Biotech Labs, that sells a CS solution (Silver Biotics®) has scientifically documented the effectiveness of its preparation for enhancing the immune system function. Their formula is approved for sale in the U.S. by the FDA. The American Biotech Labs formula is a patented product and may be different from the other CS products found elsewhere. For more information on Silver Biotics® see: http://www.silverbiotics.com/. In general, consuming too much of silver for a long period of time (in months) can cause argyria (the blue-man syndrome), a harmless but cosmetically unpleasant irreversible condition. In addition, silver can be toxic to the kidneys if taken in large doses (silver is excreted by the kidneys in urine). Many Internet sites sell kits for making the CS product at home, and other have CS available for sale. Differences among formulations have been documented, including quality of the product as well as the labeled silver concentration in the product. The home-made preparations may be prepared with the help of 9V batteries (you need a total of 36V, or four batteries). Colloidal Silver is a life-saving preparation for many (over 650 conditions have been claimed to respond to CS), yet it has been condemned by the health authorities (the FDA considers CS not to be safe). Until further information is available on CS, it is prudent and wise to refrain from using it unless it is recommended by a licensed physician (M.D. or D.O.).

Don't Confuse Iran of Being an Arab Country...It is Not

Iran is NOT an Arab country. As the matter of fact the Arabs and the Persians have been fierce enemies for centuries. If you ask any Arab person, he or she will tell you how Iran has stolen a nice area from Iraq long time ago. They refuse to return it to the Iraqis up until now. Saddam Hussein fought the Iranians in a bloody war for 10 years, supported by the U.S. Neither side won the that war, but many young people on both sides lost their lives. The Gulf Arab Region countries (Saudi Arabia and others) are always suspicious of the Iranians. If Iran becomes a nuclear regional power it will make many Arab countries very nervous, even more nervous than the Israelis. Negotiations towards a solution for the nuclear stand-off with the West is very important to the stability and peace in that region of the World, and perhaps to the entire World. The Iranians feared Saddam Hussein, but he is no longer there. I wonder who will fight the next war with Iran? It won't be one of the Arab countries for sure.

Happy Birth: Today is Rev. Billy Graham Birthday

Happy birthday to Rev. Billy Graham, the greatest preacher ever. Dr. Graham is 92 years young today (November 7, 2010).

Hawthorn

Hawthorn is a heart herb. It has been used for centuries to treat a variety of cardiovascular diseases including hypertension (high blood pressure), congestive heart failure, chest pain (angina pectoris), and rapid heart rate. The important components in Hawthorn are the flavonoids, catechins, and proanthocyanidins.

Chronic Kidney Disease and Herbal Medicines

It is a fact that many herbs contain substances that can cause chronic kidney disease (CKD). Many Chinese herbs can produce CKD if consumed. It is wise not to take any raw herbal material unless its source is well verified and its content is well established. CKD can be fatal in certain cases.

It is Thermodynamics...Stupid

Thermodynamics laws govern all physical matter. Since society itself is "physical", these laws must apply as well. The First Law of Thermodynamics speaks of energy conservation in the Universe (system + surrounding). No new energy is created from nothing nor an energy is destroyed into nothing; energy types are simply transformed from one type into another. The energy spend on elections does not originate from nothing, it is a transformed energy; some other form of energy was simply transformed into a new energy form. Where did the Tea Party movement get its energy? It cannot be a new energy, it is simply an old energy that has become this new movement. While the First Law handles energy conservation, the Second Law describes a process being directional. Meaning systems in life proceed in one direction and one only, toward a point of equilibrium. The political system in our society had to transform some of its old energy into a new one as it is heading toward a point of equilibrium. We were too polarized. Polarization is "unstable" because it is far away from its point of equilibrium. Something had to be changed to bring the system closer to a point of equilibrium. Systems, including political systems, proceed in a direction of decreasing their capacity for new change, that is to approach a state of equilibrium. Unfortunately, equilibrium also means stagnation, a state where nothing moves and no change happens. It is a state of suspension. Change is good. It signifies growth and productivity. Equilibrium is death. At equilibrium all the "useful" energy has been depleted and converted into useless energy that cannot be used for subsequent work. While some are celebrating, our political system is dipping fast toward a point where no more energy is left to do any more work. However, society can correct this deviation and return to productivity. The voices of stagnation eventually loose and those who still have the energy to do work will rise again and continue the struggle toward a better society. We still believe that "WE CAN" do it. Yes, WE CAN.

It is Holiday Time: Duck Town

This is the best time of the year. Between Halloween and New Year Day. People are cheerful. Shops are busy and malls are full of people window-shopping. Restaurants are filled with hungry shoppers. Smiling people are everywhere. So why are people complaining about the economy? Perhaps if you do not listen to the radio or TV you would not have noticed it. May be the news media is creating and driving the economy downward. If they keep describing it long enough as bad economy eventually enough people believe it and start acting as if it is really bad. I wonder if the news media also "brain wash" people to believe that one political party or another is really bad for the country. Very few people read real newspapers anymore. Most people get their news from biased media, be it left or right. Unfortunately, most people believe what they hear on the news. They never bother to check the facts on their own. There are radio and TV professionals who are paid very well and are driving people into believing in things that do not really exist. I think there is a driven agenda by certain entity (or entities) that are guiding the masses into believing in false information. They deliberately inject false facts into common fact and by repeating these false information over and over and over eventually the false information become "common" information. When I was young I used to read comics books of a "Duck Town". In this town stories travel fast. Within a matter of few minutes any story would be known all over the town. Not only stories spread fast, but also everybody believes that the stories are correct. People in "Duck Town" never questioned the validity of the information being fed. At my age now I feel I am living in a "Duck Town". We in Duck Town hear information on TV and radio and go out and demonstrate with "Tea Bags" hagging from our hats. The Duckies are just absorbing information, but there is no processing of information, exactly the way the "entities" wanted it to be. How could a nation that voted Democratic in 2008 vote Republican/Tea Party in 2010? What happened in a two-year period? Actually, it did not matter what really happened, because people were not told what really happened. If they were told the truth, the House and the Senate would be 100% Democrats today. Instead, they heard the multi-millionaire radio-hosts to tell them what happened. They followed a few radio-talk hosts to tell them to whom they must vote for. In Duck Town, people do not think, they are just told how to think. In Duck Town, people do not search for the truth on their own. Duck Town is a happy town. People celebrate the holidays between Halloween and New Year and have fun. They smile, eat at restaurants, window-shop in malls, and listen to radio-talk shows to tell them how to think. Happy Holidays to all Duck Town people.

November 2, 2010: America Votes

The citizens of the United States of America are voting today. Results, as I write this blog, are not yet in. We do not know who will win yet. But, having 100% faith in the American system of life, whatever the results will be they will be the right ones. America wins regardless of the results tonight