Cancer Types and Prognosis: The Case for Pancreatic Cancer

Different cancer types differ in their "aggression." For example 100% of prostate cancer patients survive at least 5 years from diagnosis compared to 89% for breast cancer and 65% for colorectal cancer. However, for pancreatic cancer the prognosis is much worse; only 6% survive the 5-year period. New research in this field has pointed out that despite this poor prognosis, pancreatic cancers are "slow growers" lasting about 21 years on average before they become deadly. Thus, early detection is vital for this disease. Currently, persons with a family history of pancreatic cancer are screened with MRI and/or ultrasound. However, a more practical test is needed to allow for routine screening of the entire population. Scientists are hopeful that such a test may be made possible within the next decade.

Morgellons

Chances are that you have not heard of this condition, Morgellons. It is a skin "condition" in which sufferers claim to have fiber-like objects produced/secreted through their skin. The CDC is currently preparing a report on Morgellons which will be published sometimes in 2011. When President Obama was a Senator, he demanded that the CDC initiate medical investigations on this condition. I have seen some videos on YouTube.com about this condition.

Whooping Cough

Whooping cough is on the increase in California. The disease has already claimed the life of 10 infants. The total number of cases infected as of yesterday (October 29, 2010) is 6,257. It is the highest recorded number of cases for over 60 years.

What Is a %?

Oftentimes the symbol "%" is found on labels of botanicals. It is used to express the concentration of a "surrogate" component in the plant available in the formulation. It is a way to standardize the herbal formulations. Say we have on a capsule formulation the term (0.3%) for a specific substance, this means we have 0.3 g of that substance in every 100 g of powder present in the capsule shells. (The symbol percent here means percent by weight.) For example, if the powder inside a capsule weighs 300 mg, this means there is 0.9 mg of the "surrogate" compound per capsule. Other "%" terms are %w/v and %v/v. The former is defined as the number of grams of a substance in 100 milliliters of solution. Whereas, %v/v is the number of milliliters of a component in 100 milliliters of solution. There is also the concentration unit "%mg" which is known as milligram percent. This one is defined as the number of milligrams of a substance in 100 milliliters of solution.

Could the Human Race Be One Day Extinct?

As a species, human could also one day get extinct from planet Earth. It is possible that a major natural disaster such as a large asteroid hitting our planet will result in killing every living thing on Earth. However, our planet has always allowed some sort of life to exist on it. Perhaps a new creation will be born. Perhaps a better one than the human race. We have done so much destruction and caused so much pain that perhaps any other creation would be a better one. Does God have a plan like that for us? Don't tell that to the Dinosaurs, they thought too that they were the "be all end all" until they were gone, all gone, and for good.

Can 40 Equal 60?

It could be if 40 and 60 were averages. Let me illustrate my point. Suppose we measured the weight of 9 pieces of chicken wings and their average weight was 40 g. Also suppose that the normal average chicken wings weight is 60 g with a standard deviation of 25 g. Now, is 40 g as an average statistically different from 60 g? To answer this question we will use the normal distribution (the bell-shape curve) and report our finding with 99% confidence. The estimation goes like that: z-score = (40 - 60)/(25/3) = -2.4; Since the probability of obtaining a z-score of (-2.4) by chance alone is greater than 1%, we declare that the average weight of 40 g for our sample of 9 chicken wings is the same as that of the population (the 60 g average).

How to Convert From Molar Concentrations to Grams Per Liter?

This can be illustrated by the following example: A solution for HCl is labeled as 0.1 M. This means it contains 0.1 mole of HCl per one liter of solution. Since the molecular weight of HCl is 36.5 g/mole, then (0.1 mole/liter) x (36.5 g/mole) = 3.65 g/liter, or can be written as 0.365% w/v. (The symbol %w/v is for percent weight per volume which is defined as the amount of a substance in grams in every 100-milliliter volume of solution. One deciliter is 100 milliliters.)

The pH Scale

The pH scale is used to express the concentration of hydrogen ions (also known as hydronium ions) in solution. The higher the value of the pH the more basic the solution is. Thus, acidic solutions like soda drinks have low pH values. A neutral pH at room temperature equals to 7. The concentration of hydrogen ions is expressed in moles/liter. For example, if a solution contains (E-5) mole/liter of [H+], then the pH of the solution is 5. Inversely, if the pH of a solution were 2, then the concentration of [H+] in solution would be (E-2) mole/liter. Normal blood pH is 7.4. Normal empty stomach juice pH is between 1 and 3, and that of the small intestine is about 5-6. (It is interesting to note that cola drinks have similar pH values as that of stomach juice.) Healthy human skin surface has also a pH between 5-6. Life itself depends on maintaining body fluids' pH constant. A too large deviation from a blood normal pH of 7.4 could result in death. Not only human cannot survive without a healthy pH for his blood, but Earth itself depends on a natural pH of the soil for plants' survivor. The pH scale is indeed a scale for life.

Avogadro's Number: How was It Calculated?

Avogadro's Law for gases states that under the same temperature and pressure the number of molecules of any gas per unit volume is constant. Experimentally, this number was determined to be (2.70 x E22). Also, for ideal gases, the volume of one mole of a gas under 1 Standard atmospheric pressure and at the ice point equals 22.414 liters. If we multiply (2.70 x E22) by (22.414) we would obtain the Avogadro's Number. The currently accepted value for Avogadro's Number is (6.0225 x E23) molecules/mole.

States of Matter

Everyone knows that matter can exist as gas, liquid, or solid. However, a fourth state of matter known as liquid crystal is very abundant in nature. As the name implies, this state is an intermediate state between liquids and solids. Liquid crystalline state is also known as a mesophase. There are three types of mesophase state: Smectic, Nematic, and Cholesteric. They differ in their molecular arrangement of the molecules. Much of the lipids in our body is made of one of these mesophases. Thus, life is rich in mesophase structures. Is not that interesting that liquid crystal is not as popular as the other three? It is time for the mesophases to be recognized for their contribution to life itself and take their rightfull place among the states of matter.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil (TTO) is the essential oil extracted from Tee Tree Plant. This plant is native to Australia and has been used as antiseptic for many years by the Australian natives. It is also an excellent remedy for acne and nail fungal infections. It may be used for yeast and bacterial vaginal infections as well. The oral ingestion of a teaspoonful of TTO is fatal. Thus, the use of TTO in mouthwashes is highly NOT recommended. It is very effective in the treatment of minor cuts and wounds.

Red Yeast Rice

Red Yeast Rice is an excellent natural substance for lowering serum cholesterol level. The normal dose for adults is 1600 mg/day. Consult with your physician before taking Red Yeast Rice as serious side effects may develop from its use.

The Definition of Placebo

Placebo is defined as an inert substance with no pharmacological activity. Yet, the medical establishment has always known the impact of placebo effect on health. Psychiatrists would tell you that 50% of the activity of many medications they use is due to a placebo effect. In Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), we consider "placebo effect" to be a very valuable tool for healing. We consider this effect as a sign that the inner healing power of the body is being awaken. Each one of us possesses this inner power to heal one-self. However, various stressors in life, be it physical or emotional, subdue this inner ability to heal. Botanicals and other CAM modalities cause this inner natural healing power in us to rise again to the surface and does its work to restore us to health. Placebo effect is a real effect; it is our body's own healing power.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is found in the grape-skin and in red wine, among other sources. Studies have shown that this agent has the ability to stop cancer in all of its different stages: initiation, promotion, and invasion. It is in particular useful in halting the progression of prostate cancer. Overall, Resveratrol is an excellent natural substance for cancer prevention.

Toys Story 3: The Movie

I went and saw Toys Story 3 yesterday. It is a five-star movie (*****). Make sure to bring with you enough tissue papers.

Why Do Some Patients Do Not Respond Well to Anti-Depressive Medications?

The answer to this question may be found in genetics. A gene with the name MKP-1 may hold the key to whether a patient will respond to anti-depressive medications or not. Patients who do not respond to the anti-depressive medications have twice as much of MKP-1 in their brain as those who respond to medications. This finding may explain why up to 40% of patients suffering from depression do not do well on anti-depressive drugs. The answer may be as simple as having too much of this "depression gene" in their brain.

Why Do Some Women Have Difficulty in Getting Pregnant in Their Thirties?

New genetic research may have the answer for why some women may experience difficulties in getting pregnant if they delay having babies until they are in their thirties. It appears that there are four genes that cause 1 out of 20 women to experience an early menopause (in their forties). These genes explain that women's ability to bear children begins to decline at least 10 years of becoming menopausal. Say, if a woman with the four genes is set to have her menopause at age 45 (the average age for menopause in industrialized nations is 50), then her ability to bear children is diminished starting at age 35. This 35-year old woman will have a hard time to conceive versus another woman who does not have the four genes. Genetic testing for the presence of the four genes may become available in a clinic near you soon.

Niacin Effect on Platelets: Actual Data From One Subject

A steady decrease in platelets count was observed while taking niacin (300 mg/day). Once niacin stopped, a sharp rebound in platelets count was observed. The data are actual observations taken over a period of approximately 6 months.

Total Cholesterol vs. LDL Level: A Predictive Model

A predictive model is suggested for estimating the Serum LDL concentration (mg/dL) from Total Serum Cholesterol (mg/dL) in the same person. The predictive model has the following mathematical expression:

LDL Level = -26.92 + 0.808 (Total Serum Cholesterol)

The p value for this model was less than 0.0001. Also, 88.7% of the variability in LDL is explained by the Total Serum Cholesterol. For example, a person has a Total Serum Cholesterol of 200 mg/dL. His estimated LDL concentration in serum is:

LDL Level = -26.92 + 0.808 (200) = 134.68 mg/dL

The clinically acceptable range for Total Serum Cholesterol in adults is 100 to 199 mg/dL and that for LDL is less than 100 mg/dL. It should be emphasized that other factors also contribute to the Serum LDL level, however their contributions to the variability in Serum LDL according to this model is less than 12%.

What Do Poll Results Mean? A Simple Explanation

We are less than 2 weeks away from voting this year. November is approaching fast. Polls are everywhere. The Tea Party, an outspoken segment of the Republican Party, is already announcing its winners this November. You would wonder how do they know? The answer to this question is based on polling a sample from the population and asking them for whom they are going to vote for this November. This is an example: Suppose that 3,000 individuals selected by random from the population asked about their voting target. Also say that 53% of them indicated that they would vote for candidate Y this election season. Well, the 53% figure is just an "observed" value from a sample. To predict what would happen in November based on this figure we will need to know the margin of error for this measurement. Suppose that the margin of error was 4 percentage points, then we could predict that the "true percentage" of voters in November who would vote for this candidate will be anywhere between 51% and 55%. This is always qualified by stating the degree of confidence we are reporting our estimate [51% - 55%]. The common confidence level for these estimates is 95%. In summary, and according to the polls, 53% indicated in a sample of 3,000 that they would vote for candidate Y in November. Our estimate is that the true percentage of people voting for this candidate will be anywhere between 51% and 55% in November, with 95% confidence (i.e., there is a 5% chance that our estimates are incorrect).

Catholic Faith and Evolution

Just for the sake of clarity, Catholic faith does not teach that evolution is not real. The Catholic Church recognizes that God created everything including evolution of species. I was never taught in the Catholic Church that evolution is a theory we are supposed to oppose. While it is important to stress on the fact that a supreme being, God, has created the universe and everything in it, it is also of importance not to contradict scientific facts just because they are not found in the Bible. Yes, God created the human being according to the Book of Genesis, however it does not tell us exactly how Adam and Eve looked like. God created man in his image; that is the spirit of man was pure. Do you really think that God physically looks like us. Think again. The Bible talks about the spiritual birth of man in the image of God. Biology explains how man evolved over time.