"James, Why do you want to be a doctor, let alone a cardiothoracic surgeon? I am faced with this question on a regular basis, and every time I answer it I remember the day that I decided that I wanted to become a cardiothoracic surgeon.....
It all started in the year 2001 when I was eleven years old and my sister was 5 years old. We woke up one day and neither of our parents were home. I immediately called my mom, and asked her where she and my father were. Her response was, "Son I don't want you to be worried, but dad was admitted into the hospital this morning. He was complaining about some heart pain." (My father was 49 years old, and has had past hereditary cardiac issues (Angiogram and triple bypass heart surgery) Me, being young and optomistic just figured that dad would make it through again, and he will be home in no time! But that was far from the truth.....
That evening, my mother, sister, and I all went to visit my father at Fair Oaks Hospital. My sister and I had even made my dad some apple flavored JELLO. When we arrived to the hospital, we all sat around my dad and had a family prayer, during which we read Psalm 91 from the Bible, and just enjoyed each others company. We stayed at the hospital until my dad told my mom to go ahead and take my sister and I home so we could get some sleep. After saying that, my dad walked us to the elevator, handed me his cell phone and said, "Son don't turn it off, I will be calling you." Little did I know that those would be the last words I would hear from my father. After we arrived home we saw that had received a voicemail from the hospital asking us to come back to hospital. Upon arrival to the hospital we were informed that dad had went into cardiac arrest only minutes after we left, and that they were not able to resusitate him.....
....Our world had just been turn upside down...
It has been almost 9 years since the day, and the feelings are as fresh as they were the day we lost him. Life has had its ups, and its down but my God has seen me through it all. So the reason I want to be a cardiothoracic surgeon is because I want to ensure that other families will not have to deal with the heart ache that my family and I have had to go through. God has put it on my heart to help people in this way, and I intend to do so!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
15 - Study finds 231 new genes associated with head and neck cancer
"Study finds 231 new genes associated with head and neck cancer." EurekAlert! - Science News. Web. 04 Oct. 2009. .
Researchers in San Diego California have found 231 genes that are associated with head and neck cancer (also known as oral cancer). Head and neck cancer encompasses "cancers of the mouth, nose, sinuses, salivary glands, throat and lymph nodes in the neck". About 55,000 new cases of head and neck cancer will be diagnosed this year alone, and 13,000 of those diagnosed will die as a result of the cancer. Previously, only 33 genes were associated with head and neck cancer. This finding is huge in the development for possible treatments of head and neck cancer. It provides about 200 new genes that can be used as target genes for some type of medication.
All of these new genes can be used along side a new molecular strategy for detection of cancer - DNA Methylation. "DNA methylation is a type of chemical modification of DNA where a methyl group (CH3) can be added (hypermethylation) or removed (hypomethylation) – allows the researchers to look for genetic abnormalities within tumor samples." With DNA methylization researchers will be able to turn on silenced genes and off certain genes that are causing cancers. This is a powerful new tool which will be able to make huge breakthroughs in the field of cancer diagnosis and treatment.
14 - Fish-Killing Toxin Could Kill Cancer Cells
"Fish-Killing Toxin Could Kill Cancer Cells." Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology. Web. 04 Oct. 2009. .
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) microbiologist Paul V. Zimba and chemist Peter Moeller of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have found a fish killing toxin that has shown promise in prevent cancer growth and eventually killing cancer cells. The toxin is called euglenophycin which has a molecular structure similar to fire ant venom.
In 2002, it was reported that more than 21,000 striped bass, a $100,000 value, had died in a commercial aquaculture facility in North Carolina. Zimba and Moeller worked together to determine the cause of these deaths. They analyzed numerous samples of the pond water that these striped bass were in, and from this they were able to narrow down the cause to two organisms: Euglena sanguinea and E. granulata (two species of freshwater algae). This case was the first of many cases since then in which normally harmless freshwater algae have been found to be able to kill. It is not the algae themselves that are killing the fish, but rather a toxin that they produce, euglenophycin, that is doing the killing.
This type of toxin has also been tested on cancer cells, and has been able to slow down cancer cell replication and eventually causing cancer cells to die.
13 - New type of genetic change identified in inherited cancer
"New type of genetic change identified in inherited cancer." EurekAlert! - Science News. Web. 04 Oct. 2009. .
Many times physicians and researcher wonder exactly why some diseases such as particular types of cancer are hereditary. Many just speculated that is what just some type of mutation that is carried over from parents to offspring, when in fact is much more than just a mutation. Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have been working on a very rare but very deadly type of cancer, chordoma. Chordoma is a cancer that is found in the bones and nervous system, and is thought to be caused by reminants of the notochord from embryonic development. It has been determine that only about one in one million people have chordoma. Unfortunately those who have the cancer have about a ten year lifespan after diagnosis.
As it can be seen, chrodoma is a very serious type of cancer. But how come it seems to be so hereditary? Researchers at Duke seems to have found the answer, gene duplication. Up to this point it was thought that it was a mutation of a certain gene, but in fact it was a complete duplication of the gene. The gene that seems to be the source of all the problems is the T (Brachyury) gene on chromosome 6. Brachyury is a transcription factor that helps in the development of the notochord during embryonic development, and has been found in large amount in biopsied chordomas.
12 - UNC study pinpoints gene controlling number of brain cells
"UNC study pinpoints gene controlling number of brain cells." EurekAlert! - Science News. Web. 04 Oct. 2009. .
Two processes are key to the development of a properly fully functional nervous system, proliferation and differentiation. Proliferation is when the cells multiply to provide the needed starting materials for a fully functional nervous system. Differentiation is when those starting materials develop into fully function neurons. The balance between both proliferation and differentiation is pivotal. If one develops too much starting material , proliferation, a tumor could form, and if one develops too little, he or she will not have a properly function nervous system. The gene GSK-3 (glycogen synthase kinase 3) is responsible for adequate proliferation and proper differentiation. Without this gene, the human body would not be able to develop a fully function nervous system.
It has been found that GSK-3 controls the signaling pathways that ultimately determine how many neurons the human brain will be comprised of. Researchers at University of North Carolina School of Medicine have studied this gene in depth and have proposed this idea that GSK-3 is responsible for the ultimate outcome of the brain. They determine this by what is called "conditional knock out". This is when a scientist decides on a gene of interest (in this case GSK-3), and knock out that gene from the genome of an animal, at various stages of development, to see what impact the absence of the gene has. It was shown that at all stages of development, the lack of the GSK-3 gene, led to complication and improper development of the nervous system.
11 - Protein reveals how insects smell
"BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Protein reveals how insects smell." BBC NEWS | News Front Page. 1 Oct. 2009. Web. 04 Oct. 2009. .
Many times we as human beings wonder how an insect is able to find and bite us every time we go outdoors. This is a direct result of the pheromones our body exudes and the sensory organs that the insects uses to decode those pheromones we emit. REsearchers in UK's Rothamsted Research and the University of London carried out a study to determine what it is exactly that enables a insect to sense these pheromones and react accordingly. They were ables to determine this by means of the UK's Diamond Light Source synchrotron. The synchrotron is able to generate beams of electrons that are used to probe structures down to the molecular level.
The model organism for these pheromone studies was the silkworm moth. It is know that the silkworm moth has odor binding proteins to which the pheromones are able to bind, but exactly how do the pheromones bind? Answering this question could results in numerous ways that we can create proper pesticides/repellants that can bind and block this odor binding protein, therefore reducing the insects ability to bite someone.
The x-ray images showed that the structure of the odor binding protein changed when it was bound to a molecule of the moth pheromone, bombykol. Researchers then concluded that this protein-pheromone complex started the olfactory (or smell) receptor therefore allowing the moth to process the odor.
10 - Young adults 'anxiety overload'
"BBC NEWS | Health | Young adults 'anxiety overload'" BBC NEWS | News Front Page. Web. 04 Oct. 2009. .
It seems as if economy has not only affect those who are well established in life, but it has also reach the college campuses. In a recent study it has been shown that many young adults between the ages of 18-24 years old, carry a very high stress level. The study show that 66% of young adults between the ages of 18-24 years old stress out at least once a week over financial issues and job worries. It seems as if those two, financial and job worries, are the top tow issues young adults between the ages of 18-24 years old face.
Stress is not good for anyone let alone young adults who have their whole lives ahead of them! A recent study has broken down the different anxiety causing problems: money worries 45%, job prospects 33%, and pressures from school or university 29%. What makes this a big issue is how the people are handling their issues. Rather than discussing their problems, they are keeping their feelings bottled up. Over 31% of individuals surveyed said that they keep all of their anxiety issues to themselves. The study also showed that women have been found to stress more often then men, one in three women feel stressed, compared to one in ten men.
9 - Hidden 'hypo' diabetes warning
"BBC NEWS | Health | Hidden 'hypo' diabetes warning." BBC NEWS | News Front Page. Web. 04 Oct. 2009. .
Within that last year alone there have been more than 145,000 new diagnosed diabetes cases in the UK. This increases the total number to about 2.6 million individuals who are affected with diabetes. Also with this increased rise in the number of new type 2 diabetes cases, there has also been an increase in people suffering from hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is a health problem where an individual has low blood sugar. The question at hand was what is the correlation between the rise in type 2 diabetes cases and increase in patients dealing with hypoglycemia?
A survey of 2,000 type 2 diabetes patients was taken, in which they were asked whether or not they had been feeling any of the symptoms of hypoglycemia, (drowsiness, lack of energy, and lethargy), about half of them said yes. Diabetes Uk also did another survey in which the results state that many type 2 diabetes patients might be on the wrong medications. They key to dealing with diabetes is to maintain the indiviuals blood sugar at a steady and healthy state. A high blood sugar level can cause future health issues, and a lower blood sugar level will cause hypoglycemia. It seems as if the medication that the patients were on has been causing the later of the two scenarios, hypoglycemia. One of the most popular type 2 diabetes drugs is sulphonylureas, which can lead to hypoglycemia. Doctors don't want to remove the patients of sulphonylureas until is has been shown that the medication is the direct cause of the hypoglycemia, or if it is the patient lifestyle.
8 - Cooling 'cuts baby brain damage'
"BBC NEWS | Health | Cooling 'cuts baby brain damage'" BBC NEWS | News Front Page. 30 Sept. 2009. Web. 04 Oct. 2009. .
Doctors currently do not know why this seems to work, but their hypothesis is that this cooling causes the metabolism of the baby to slow down drastically. This slowing down of the baby's metabolism would therefore reduce the amount of oxygen needed during that timeframe. This would then allow the baby's brain a chance to recover and heal, before being brought back to a normal oxygen requirements and body temperature. This research has just receive 1 million pounds from the Medical Research Council.
7 - Making people move in slow motion
"BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Making people move in slow motion." BBC NEWS | News Front Page. 2 Oct. 2009. Web. 04 Oct. 2009. .
The researcher ran a test in which they attached electrodes to a patients scalp and transmitted beta oscillations via the electrodes. They then would have the patient sit in front of a computer screen which had a dot on it, as well as a pointer that the patient controlled. At the sound of a buzzer, the dot would move to another location on the screen, and the patient would then have to use his pointer to go to the dot at its new location. The researchers found that the patients movements were slowed down by 10%. This study can play a curcial role in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. A possible route of treatment could be to find ways to suppress the beta oscillations, since it is the high amount of these oscillation that cause a lack of voluntary mobility.
6 - Technique can pinpoint tinnitus
"BBC NEWS | Health | Technique can pinpoint tinnitus." BBC NEWS | News Front Page. 3 Oct. 2009. Web. 04 Oct. 2009. .
The doctors ran MEG scans on 27 patients, 1o without Tinnitus and 17 with Tinnitus. They played sounds until the patient agreed that they were hearing a noise. At this point they would scan the patients brain by means of a MEG scan. In patient who had Tinnitus in one ear they determined that the greatest amount of neuronal activity was found in the auditory cortex of the opposite lobe of the brain. In patients who experienced the noise in both ears they, saw neuronal activity in both lobes of the brain, but more so on the opposite side of the ear in which the patient experienced a greater amount of Tinnitus.
5 - Feeding 'speeds surgery recovery'
"Feeding 'speeds surgery recovery'" BBC Health, 2 Oct. 2009. Web. 4 Oct. 2009. .
This article was about how research where able to refute the idea that having a patient fast after any type of thoracic surgery would increase there recovery time. In fact is has been proven that the exact opposite is true. The research was done on 121 patients and was done by Cardiff University, and is thought that this research can save the NHS millions of pounds.
Originally it was thought that the any type of nutrition would impede on the recovery process, where as the opposite has been found to be true. It was found that patients who received nutrition directly through a feeding tube into their stomachs recovered 3 days faster than those patient who were fasting after their surgery. Patients who received nutrition via feeding tube also developed fewer complication post surgery. The patients must receive their nutrition in the form of liquid food. This liquid food would then be sent via a feeding tube directly into the patient's stomach where it would be rapidly absorbed by the body. There would be no physical strain on the patient by any type of digestive active since the body would not have to physically break down the food, since it was already in liquified state.
This speedy recovery would then in turn bring about millions of dollars in savings for the the NHS. This is because the NHS would have to cover fewer daily costs for a patients meals, surgery, and intensive care stays.
4 - Many more receiving HIV therapy
"BBC NEWS | Health | Many more receiving HIV therapy." BBC NEWS | News Front Page. 30 Sept. 2009. Web. 04 Oct. 2009. .
Drug prices have fallen 10-40%, and this makes them more affordable for those individuals who were previously unable to afford them. This drop in prices is a result of cooperation between the pharmaceutical companies and the prevalence of generic drugs. Currently there are trying to increase the number of the later of the two. Many are trying to convince the big pharmaceutical drug companies to give them the "recipe" in order to create a exact replica of the drug, but at a cheaper price. This way it would be much more affordable to reach those around the world who are unable to get proper care and treatment.
3 - Test 'spots blood disease danger'
"BBC NEWS | Health | Test 'spots blood disease danger'" 2 Oct. 2009. Web. 04 Oct. 2009. .
This article was about Thalassemia, and new ways to predict and prevent heart failure in those individuals who have this issue. Thalassemia is an inherited disorder of the blood system, in which there is a lack of hemoglobin or an abnormality in the hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is an essential protein of the blood, and can be found on the the erythrocytes, also known as the red blood cells. Hemoglobin allows oxygen to bind to itself and as a result carries oxygen from the lungs tot he rest of the body.
Those with Thalassemia, since having a lack of hemoglobin and therefore lack of proper oxygen, will experience breathlessness and lethargy. As a results, those diagnosed with Thalassemia might have anywhere from 2 to 3 blood transfusion every month. During this blood transfusion, the patient will receive new blood, which contains 250mL of iron, along with drugs that will help lower the levels of iron in the blood. The reason they do this is because Thalassemia patients have abnormally high levels of iron in the blood, this iron then deposits within the heart and eventually can turn into "rust". When the patient is then sent for an MRI scan the physician will be able to see a lot of iron in their heart. There is a direct correlation between the amount of iron present in the heart and a patients likelihood to develop heart failure. The more iron present, the more likely the patient is to have heart failure.
2 - Schoolgirl dies after cancer jab
"Schoolgirl dies after cancer jab." BBC News. 29 Sept. 2009. Web. 30 Sept. 2009. .
A 14-year old school girl at Blue Coat CofE School in Coventry was admitted to the University hospital shortly after she received the Cervarix vaccine, where she later died. Cervarix is a routine vaccine that has been known to fight against the spread of a virus known as Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). As with many other viruses, there are many strains of HPV that exist. It has been determined that 12 of these strains have been known to lead to the development of cervical cancer. Questions have obviously arisen as to wether or not the vaccine was what caused the death of the 14-year old? No one will be able to know until they have done a post-mortem autopsy. In the mean time however, the local NHS has put a pause on their vaccination programs, and have taken the vaccine that was administered to the 14-year old into quarantine.
These vaccination programs have been a topic of great debate for as long as they have been around. The main issue is why the country has chosen to use the Cervarix vaccine rather than the more prominent Gardasil vaccine. Gardasil is what most other countries in the world use to vaccinate there young girls. Cervarix unlike Gardasil is only capable of protection against only two strains of HPV that have been known to cause 70% of cases of cervical cancer. When asked, the head of the NSH said, "Our deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of the young girl. We are working with the Department of Health and MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) to better understand this case, as at this stage the exact cause of this tragic death is unknown."
Saturday, September 26, 2009
1 - Vaccine protects against HIV virus: A two-shot combo reduces the risk of HIV infection.
Dolgin, Elie. "Vaccine Protects Against HIV virus: A two-shot combo reduces the risk of HIV infection."Nature (2009). Nature. 24 Sept. 2009. 26 Sept. 2009, doi:10.1038/news.2009.947
This article was about latest development in the search for a HIV-1 Vaccine. For years we have have been trying to find a suitable vaccine for this pandemic. The search has seen many successes, but it seems to have had much more failures. This test was originally started in Thailand in 2003, and has just concluded. This trail tested the idea of administering a two-shot combination vaccine, and many were very skeptical. They were much more skeptical because of the fact that the two vaccines in question were vaccines that had previously failed to succeed in their individual trial tests. To everyone in the scientific world's surprise, this two-shot combination vaccine reduced the risk of contracting HIV by nearly 33%. This is the most success that any vaccine has ever had!
This two-shot combination vaccine is comprised of drugs made by Sanofi-Pasteur of Lyon, France, and VaxGen of Brisbane, Australia, both of which have failed individual trial testings. In general vaccines are supposed to have a 70-80% success rate in order to be considered for commercial use, but in the case of HIV they have lowered the success rate to 30%. This is because allowing a vaccine to be used even though it has 30% success rate can drastically decrease the now 2.5 million people per year infection rate. Lets hope that this break through is the one we have been looking for!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)