Nanomedicine: towards development of patient-friendly drug-delivery systems – Video

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Nanomedicine: towards development of patient-friendly drug-delivery systems
ES-Cancer Focus Group. Third Journal Club: Nanomedicine: towards development of patient-friendly drug-delivery systems for oncological applications.

By: Egypt Scholars Inc.

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Nanomedicine: towards development of patient-friendly drug-delivery systems - Video

He believed in life

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Right from when I first met him in 2004, when his corpus of written works was huge and his reputation huger, I found Khushwant Singh remarkably untouched by arrogance never mind the scary sign outside his door warning uninvited visitors not to ring the bell. For a man with his formidable experience and scholarship of history, politics, current affairs, comparative religions, he was not in the least condescending to a journalist less than half his age. And for all the crass sexuality of some of his fictional passages, he turned out to be a gentlemanly conversationalist. Interestingly, the conversation with this self-declared agnostic often turned to matters of faith.

Although on the first occasion when his novella Burial at Sea had just come out he did mention that he didnt waste any time in prayer, and that spirituality is a lot of humbug, admitting, he didnt understand it, we still spent time on the topic. In 2005, after his collection of obituaries was published (Death at my Doorstep), perhaps it was only natural that the discussion veered towards the afterlife. Having decided that of the major belief systems Hebraic, Judaic, Islamist on the one hand and Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Sikh on the other theres no basis for believing either, he asked me what I thought of reincarnation. Giving my views on the karma theory a patient hearing, he dismissed me, just as genially, saying it was only because I was brought up a Hindu.

When his collection Why I supported the Emergency: Essays and Profiles was released in 2009, apart from the topic at hand, he reiterated his continuing agnosticism, saying he had an interest in all religions and thats why he could debunk them all. Having taken a swipe at the standard of newspapers with their mixture of Hindi-English-Urdu, he complimented The Hindu as one he respected. But soon he added, One thing I cant read in The Hindu is the column on religion. Otherwise, it is like a reliable grandma.

By 2010 when The Sunset Club a closely kept diary of one year presented as a novel came out, he was describing himself as having reached the vanaprastha stage of life, borrowing from scriptural terminology to denote his winding down. But his definition was not in the conventional mode of celibacy and abstinence. His protagonist Sardar Boota Singh was lustful, explicit and a hearty drinker, and the whole reason Singh chose the fiction format was, You have to add mirch masala to a factual life, or it would be very dreary.

And though no organised religion offered him answers to questions like, where we come from, what happens to us when we die, he admitted he wanted to withdraw from socialising a waste of time and attempt to bring peace of mind through the daunting task of doing nothing. Meanwhile, he quoted Ghalib, Humko maaloom hai jannat ki haqeeqat, lekin dil ko khush rakhne ko Ghalib ye khayaal achcha hai (We know the truth about Paradise: it is a good idea to beguile the mind).

Perhaps Khushwant Singh now knows the answers to the questions of life and death. We cant ask him anymore. But just like he wrote his own obituary long before he died, he also left us a hint, courtesy Hilaire Belloc, on how he would like to be remembered: When I am dead, I hope it may be said, His sins were scarlet, but his books were read.

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He believed in life

Govt nod for GM crop field trials violates EC guidelines, says farmers’ body

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A farmers' body affiliated to the CPI(M) on Saturday criticised the decision of the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) to revalidate the field trials for 10 varieties of Genetically Modified (GM) food crops and sought the Election Commission's intervention to "stall the undemocratic move."

"This decision is a bonanza given on the eve of the elections to the Indian and MNC agri businesses and reeks of corrupt intentions. It is undemocratic and violation of Election Commission guidelines," the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) said. It said the decision was taken in a "hasty manner" despite serious concerns expressed by wide sections.

"AIKS requests the Election Commission to intervene to stall this undemocratic move bypassing Parliament and aimed at aiding profiteering by big agri businesses," it said. "The hasty and non-transparent decision of the environment ministry on the eve of announcement of Lok Sabha elections to allow field trials despite the absence of a stringent mechanism to ensure bio-safety as well as a strong regulatory body opened the floodgates for field trials and set in motion these fast-paced developments," it said.

The GEAC, a statutory body for approving GM crops, had yesterday decided to revalidated proposals for wider field trials for 10 GM crops including wheat and rice. Over 70 new proposals including of many food crops will also be examined by GEAC in April.

AIKS said the applications for revalidation were made by companies whose permits had lapsed as they were opposed by states.

The decision will allow Mahyco, BASF India and Monsanto India to go ahead with wider or phase-II field trials for these genetically modified crops.

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Govt nod for GM crop field trials violates EC guidelines, says farmers' body

Congratulations to all the Top of Category winners!

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Regional Top of Category winners for the Central New Mexico Science and Engineering Research Challenge held at the University of New Mexico, March 20-22.

Regional representatives to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair: Julie Giannini, St. Pius X High School, first place; Jarek Kwiecinski, Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science, first place; Matthew Miller, Rio Grande Enrichment Studies, first place; Valerie Perea, St. Pius X High School, first place.

Regional 8th Grade Student Observer to ISEF: Lauren Soherr, Jefferson Middle School, first place; Kristin Strosnider, St. Thomas Aquinas School, first place.

Regional Research Challenge Top Junior Division Award: Rusty Ludwigsen, Desert Willow Family School, first place; Kristin Strosnider, St. Thomas Aquinas School, first place.

Junior Division Cellular & Molecular Biology Category: Lien Tang, Eisenhower Middle School, first place.

Junior Division Animal Sciences Category: Natalie Gannon, Jefferson Middle School, first place.

Junior Division Behavioral and Social Sciences Category: Katie Schall, Annunciation Middle School, first place.

Junior Division Chemistry Category: Shannon Killian, Holy Ghost Middle School, first place.

Junior Division Computer & Mathematical Science Category: Kara Tsikteris, Cleveland Middle School, first place.

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Congratulations to all the Top of Category winners!

The furor over fresh-cell therapy (which is NOT stem cell therapy)

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The Philippines is the biggest market for the popular, if highly controversial, alternative treatment in Germany called fresh-cell therapy (FCT). Fresh cells derived from the fetus of an unborn lamb are injected into patients, and are said to cure a large number of illnesses.

Despite the high cost of the treatment, wealthy Filipinos are undeterred, and typically arrive in droves in a sleepy town outside Frankfurt, their hopes of being cured or rejuvenated pinned on the life of every donor sheep.

Given its renown, its no surprise that questions about the efficacy and safety of FCT has been the subject of discussions among health professionals. There have also been rumors of deaths after FCT.

The proponents of FCT in Germany, however, claim that all talk about patient deaths and questionable safety standards are unfounded, and an uncouth effort to discredit FCT so that the same medical professionals here could promote stem-cell therapy, which is allowed in the country. They deny the rumors of deaths and challenge their accusers to show proof. They also maintain that FCT is a decades-old, legitimate and safe naturopathic treatment.

Theres also a rivalry in Edenkoben between the famous clinic Villa Medica and the breakaway practice of Dr. Robert Janson-Mller, who used to work at the same clinic.

Dr. Mller now administers FCT in a hotel, which doubles as his clinic. This gave rise to talks questioning the standards of a practice that is done in a hotel, not a hospital. Some accounts also say that there have been Filipino patients fooled into believing they were bound for Villa Medica, only to find themselves in Dr. Mullers hotel.

Inquirer Lifestyle visits the two rival clinics in Germany, and we experience firsthand what FCT is all about.

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Tags: Dr. Robert Janson-Mller , Frankfurt , fresh cell therapy , Stem Cell Therapy , Villa Medica

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The furor over fresh-cell therapy (which is NOT stem cell therapy)

Live cell therapywhy its not about healing and performing miracles

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EDENKOBEN, a postcard-pretty town an hours drive south of Frankfurt, offers picturesque scenes of vineyards

Its not only about adding years to life, but adding life to years.

This in essence sums up the philosophy behind Dr. Robert Janson-Mllers practice as a general practitioner in Munich and as a specialist (one of a handful) in live cell therapy in Edenkoben, a picturesque, grape-producing town one hour south of Frankfurt.

A growing number of Asians, including Filipinos suffering from such ailments as diabetes, heart disease, degenerative disorders of the joints and spinal column, multiple sclerosis, mild depression, burnout, migraine and even impotence, are braving the 14-hour flight to Germany to avail themselves of the therapy pioneered in the 30s by Swiss doctor Paul Niehans.

Live cell therapy, which is an organ-specific approach, involves harvesting fresh cells from sheep embryo and injecting them directly (intramuscular) on the patients buttocks.

Not a few parents also swear by the therapys beneficial effects on their children with mild autism, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Downs syndrome.

DR. ROBERT Janson-Mller and his team composed of Joesoef Agoes, head nurse Simone Huethere, Dr.Wolgang Janson-Mller, assistant nurse Debbie Lehmann and Joey Santos

Better functions

During our coverage, for instance, we came across an Indonesian couple with an 11-year-old son with ADHD and mild autism. After trying all sorts of treatments to improve their sons focus and EQ, including a daily dose of the drug Concerta, the couple learned about live cell therapy from another parent with an autistic son.

Before live cell therapy, he was mostly limited to one-word sentences, said the dad of his son. And when he talked to people, he lacked eye contact. Now, I could teach him to form complete thoughts and sentences.

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Live cell therapywhy its not about healing and performing miracles

Filipinos make up biggest clientele of German fresh-cell therapy center

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EMIL Sison, Davao resident and Villa Medica patient. PHOTO BY CHECHE MORAL

At about this time last year, Emil Sison was hobbling around with the aid of a cane. His speech was so slurred that he was embarrassed to speak to people.

When he had to pay for something, hed feel the storekeepers exasperation as his shaky hands struggled to grip the bills from his wallet.

Sison, 66, was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease two years ago, a new blow for the retired Davao construction company owner who had already suffered from two heart attacks prior.

This time, Sisons new condition had symptoms so enfeebling that they threatened his quality of life, unacceptable for a man who refuses to slow down and resign himself to his bed as he awaits his end.

VILLA Medica managing director Bobby Chia with Miss Universe and actress Gloria Diaz and Villa Medica Philippines country manager Suzette Lopez in Edenkoben. PHOTO BY CHECHE MORAL

When we met him last month at the Villa Medica hospital in Edenkoben, Germany, a quiet little town surrounded by forests and vineyards an hour-and-a-half-long drive from Frankfurt, it was hard to imagine the robust man as he described himself from the year before, when he first received fresh-cell therapy (FCT). He came down from his room sans walking stick, his speech was clear, and he showed us that only two of his fingers remained slightly shaky.

I talked to another patient today, and he noted that it was my second time here, he said. And I said, I wouldnt be here again if its not good Last year, I thought tama na, malayo at mahal, kaya na. But when I felt new symptoms of the same disease, I thought, delikado. Ayokong maging bedridden. Ayokong maghintay na lang ng katapusan. (Thats enough, I thought. The treatment is far and expensive But I didnt want to be bedridden and just wait for my end.)

Like many Filipinos who may have heard of this unorthodox alternative treatment in Germany, Sison had doubts about FCTs efficacy, even as he had agreed to travel across the world and pay good money for the treatment.

Preventive, regenerative

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Filipinos make up biggest clientele of German fresh-cell therapy center

Brilliant Young Minds Compete In NJ Science Fair

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By Mike Dougherty

CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) More than 250 students in grades 6 to 12 from Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties Saturday competed in a science fair sponsored by the Coriell Institute for medical research.

Coriell CEO Michael Christman describes it as the next generation of leaders.

Christman says competitions like this bring out the best in a young mind.

Its very impressive, and its really inspiring to see because they really get into it. Theyre very creative.

There are a dozen categories ranging from biochemistry to zoology. Delran high school student Thomas ODonnell took first place in the behavioral and social sciences category for his findings on distracted driving:

Drivers who are texting and driving, they take 60-percent longer to react to a red light, he explains.

This is a problem that has affected him personally.

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Brilliant Young Minds Compete In NJ Science Fair

Comets looking to build from final four team

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It is not quite to the Hello, my name is name tag level, but there is a lot of getting to know you going on this spring for Liann Muff.

The Mason High School softball team will have a lot of new faces after five graduated from a 23-8 season that ended with a loss in the Final Four.

We had great team chemistry last year, Muff said. I dont know if we can recreate that or not.

But, it is one of the things that the Comets have had to work on each day in practice.

We hope to have that (chemistry) and it is something we will continue to learn through the preseason,: Muff said. Right now, they are still learning about the girl playing next to them. What kind of arm they have, where their range is, how far out the have to go for the cut we have people in different places. It has been more of a challenge this preseason.

The other challenge is who will step up and take the leadership role on the team.

Our underclassmens work ethic is incredible, Muff said. Now, we are just waiting for someone to step up and lead.

Returning ace Tory Stewart, back for her senior campaign, will be a big voice in the circle for the Comets after a 19-7 mark with a 1.10 ERA.

Classmates Jessica Casciotti, Hannah Mizener, Emily Leeson, Taylor Stewart, Casey Miller and Liz Hillen all give the Comets experience as do juniors Jordan Sullivan, Gabby LaSala and Hailey Ellis.

That group definitely feels like they have some unfinished business, Muff said of the trip to the state semis. They have worked really hard in the offseason and there are some strong leaders in the group.

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Comets looking to build from final four team