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Scientists Have Offered Another Panacea for Cancer

American scientists have offered another panacea from cancer – an implant with the vaccine applied to a biodegrading disk.

A group of researches from Harvard University under the direction of Dr. David Muni have constructed the likeness of a cell made from biodegrading polymer in which some “practice” lab consisting of porous polymeric matrix 90 % of which is occupied by air. The scientists applied cytokines (signal molecules) to it attracting special immune cells called dendritic.

Further according to the plan of Muni’s group is placed under the skin, while cytokines gradually penetrates into the ambient space creating the spectrum of concentration following which as a trace other dendritic cells get to the place of intrusion. In the tablets they find small fragments of genetic material similar to the DNA of bacteria. By them the dendritic bacteria detect that the invasion of aliens takes place. For the cell to know what to attack the fragments of the patient’s neoplasm are applied to the polymer. On their way back to the lymph nodes the dendritic cells seize all the molecules to transform the information to the T- lymphocytes and form the corresponding immune answer. The moment the implant gets inside the body the immune system finds out the dangerous material and starts it destruction. After that analogous “struggle” takes place in the whole organism.

The studies have shown that the application of the vaccine-implant allowed lowering the growth of neoplasms and raising the survival rate among mice with melanoma.

British Doctors Have Been First to Practice Ultrasound Successfully in Cancer Removal

In Britain they have carried out the first operation on cancer destruction with the help of ultrasound. “Irving Standard” has reported about this fact. The doctors of London Hammersmith Hospital removed part of neoplasm from the patient suffering from rectal cancer of advanced stage.

According to medical assessment, the patient had tried all the possible therapy types, and palliative treatment was intended on the next stage. But they think that the carried operation can help to moderate the side effects of the neoplasm.

The method consists in point application of intensive ultrasound. Aimed at the neoplasm the high-frequency waves cause the heating of the affected area up to 80 – 90 C0 in 2 – 3 seconds which leads to its effective destruction. The use of this technique is now restricted by the parameters of neoplasm. It doesn’t suit in case of large and brain tumors.

Further development of this approach can help to cure people from a number of oncological diseases without resorting to the help of invasive surgery, chemo- and radiotherapy. Focused ultrasound is able to affect neoplasms quicker and more exactly than the modern widespread methods of medical intervention. At the same time the tissues not affected have minimal harm.

Medics Debunked the Myth about the Safety of Hookah Smoking

Hookah smoking is as dangerous for your health as cigarette smoking provoking harmful effect of poisonous substances including carbon monoxide and nicotine, as the scientists from Virginia University and American University in Beirut (Lebanon).

Hookah, as well as tobacco may lead to heart diseases and nicotine addiction, affirm the specialists. During the last 8 – 10 years the popularity of hookah in western countries has raised greatly, especially among the youths from 18 to 24. The majority of young people are sure that hookah contains less nicotine and gums than tobacco, so has no obvious dangerous effects. Medics have found exact scientific results contradicting the myth about the safety of hookah smoking: according to the results of their studies, hookah smoke contains the same harmful chemicals as cigarettes do, and raises the risk of cardiovascular dysfunction and development of nicotine addiction.

During a two-year period the doctors have been observing hookah smokers in Lebanon aged from 18 to 50. Each volunteer was smoking tobacco for 45 minutes, first with the help of hookah, then he had to smoke one cigarette. The levels of nicotine and carbon monoxide in the participants’ blood were immediately measured, and cardiac rhythm was fixed. It turned out that the concentration of carbon monoxide during hookah smoking was three time higher in comparison with one smoked cigarette. The peak levels of nicotine were the same both in case of hookah and cigarette smoking. Analyzing the quantity and amount of each draw, smoke inhalation is 48 times higher during hookah smoking in comparison with cigarettes. Besides, hookah smoke contains substances promoting the development of cancer and other dangerous diseases, as the medics warn.

Scientists Proved the Effectiveness of Marijuana in Case of Multiple Sclerosis

American scientists proved that the extracts of marijuana effectively oppress the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and, as a result, can be used for the treatment of this desease, the Psych Org reports.

Meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled researches by the scientists from Los Angeles Global Neuroscience Initiative Foundation (GNIF) showed that five from six researches testify to the lowering of spasticity and increase in range of motions among the patient suffering from MS if they take the extracts of redroot (Cannabis sativa).

Active substances of the extracts were elta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

Spasticity - an involuntary increase in muscle tone or rapid muscle contractions – is one of the more common and distressing symptoms of MS. The existing methods of spasticity reducing are difficult to obtain, cause serious side effects, and ineffective.

Meta-analysis has shown that the quantity of appearance of side effects due to marijuana extracts taking connected with cannabinoids affect psychic widely varies depending on the dosage. But according to the results of the studies, similar effects were observed during placebo taking.

One of the authors of the research, Shaheen Lakhan, commented on the received data the following way: “The therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in MS appears to be comprehensive, and should be given considerable attention”.

The results of the study are published in the scientific magazine “BMC Neurology”.

Chocolate Slows Down Skin Aging

British scientists have found out that daily dosed consumption of dark chocolate (more than 50%) slows down the process of organism aging.

As a group of researchers has found out, in case of consumption just some pieces of dark chocolate with high content of phlavons every day all the aging processes in the organism slow down.

Chocolate is especially good for skin – its consumption not only prevents from the emergence of wrinkles, but also lowers the risk of skin cancer.

The scientists have made a conclusion that chocolate decreases the possibility of skin cancer. But such qualities are characteristic only of dark chocolate rich in phlavonols – antioxidants which are contained in cocoa-beans.

It was found out before that daily consumption of dark chocolate helps organism struggle with chronic fatigue syndrome, insomnia. Besides, chocolate improves memory, releases inflammation processes and improves the state of circulatory system.

Ecstasy Heightens the Risk of Sleep Apnea

American scientists have found that ecstasy heightens the risk of sleep apnea – prolonged breath-holding in one’s sleep having negative consequences for health, PhysOrg reports.

The syndrome of sleep apnea is a widespread disease (about 15 per cent of Americans suffer from it). It can worsen the course of hypertension, coronary disease, and lower mental abilities and heighten the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

The scientists from Jones Hopkins University in Baltimore have carried out a study which included 71 people who had taken ecstasy for 25 and more times and 62 people of the control group. During the research all the volunteers were read polysomnocinematography allowing to estimate breath rhythm in sleep.

Light form of sleep apnea met more often in the control group, but moderate and serious forms were observed only in the group of ecstasy consumers – 13 and less than 1 per cent correspondingly.

At the same time the frequency of breath-holding directly depended on the duration of taking the preparation.

According to the researchers, such an effect of ecstasy is connected with metabolic disorder of serotonin neurotransmitter which also takes part in sleep and breath regulating.

Initially ecstasy is regarded as empatogen MDMA, though these homemade tablets contain a number of other psychoactive substances often exceeding the amount of MDMA.

In 2006 Brazilian scientists found out that sildenafil – the active component of Viagra – is able to worsen the course of sleep apnea.

Morning Smokers Have More Chances to Have Cancer of Lugs

The level of nicotine in the blood of those who love smoking in the morning exceeds the rate of those who smoke later in the day independently of the number of cigarettes, as American researches.

The level of cotinin – a by-product of nicotine – the content of which defines the possibility of cancer of lugs was measured in the blood of smokers.

This content of this substance is not so high in the blood of those who smoke after breakfast.

The reasons of this difference are not known yet. According to the scientists, morning smokers smoke more intensively as their need in nicotine is stronger than of those smoking their first cigarette later.

About 250 smokers have taken part in this research. Its results were published in the article of the scientific magazine “Cancer Epidemiology” Biomakers and prevention.

Morning Need of a Cigarette

In the process of lowering the number of cigarettes a day it’s necessary to take into account how often and how many cigarettes you smoke every day, how strong the need is, and the physiological indices.

Joshua Muscat, the author of the scientific article

People smoking 20 cigarettes a day had different levels of cotinin in their blood depending on the time of day they started smoking.

The highest level of cotinin was found in the blood of those who starts smoking during the first half-an-hour after they get up. Such habit was defined as high level of nicotine addiction.

Among some of them the level of cotinin was 75 times as high as among those who started smoking later.

According to the author of the article, for people with strong nicotine addiction to give up smoking for a long period of time or for good more intensive help may be needed.

“Not all smokers are the same. So the reproaches to the reduction of their number should take into account how often and how many cigarettes they smoke every day, how strong the need is, and the physiological indices”, he stated.

The representative of the British charitable organization Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation has spoken in favor of the research the authors of which think that it may help understand the habits of smokers and the nature of tobacco addiction.

But as far as only 252 smokers, the result should be treated with scepticism and it’s still early to draw any weighty conclusion about antismoking control.

“As the authors of the article themselves, we think that this sphere should still be studied”, – he said.