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Archive for February, 2010

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.