guptashubhranshu's blog

Before proceeding with a new blog, I would first like to wish every member and reader of pharmainfo a very very happy independence day and Raksha Bandhan. Today, its the turn for a desi blog to fetch a prior seat along with a desi system of medicine- ayurveda.

Osteoarthritis (taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Gonarthrose-Knorpelaufbrauch.jpg)

Brief Idea

In a recent breakthrough surgery conducted by a team of Indian surgeons headed by Harshavardhan Hegde at Artemis Health Institute -- a super specialty hospital in suburban Gurgaon, an american-- Kim Busk aged 52,who was suffering from disc degeneration for the last 10 years, was operated for the replacement of 4 discs from his backbone; 2 in neck and another 2 in lower back.

Caution maintained, in brief

The experts had opened up the vertebral column for the operation. Extreame care was taken to protect the food pipe as well as the intervertebral disc; damage of the latter would lead to intense pain in back, neck and legs and even paralysis!

Replaced substitute

The discs numbered 5-6 and 6-7 were replaced with metal discs in the back. Similarly, discs of L4-L5 and L5-sacrum in the lower back were replaced by metal discs.

Conclusion

The current blog has been posted keeping in view the expectations held by us (students) and the outcome which our luck yields for us. Well, explaining the purpose of choosing such a title was with the objective that just as the mirror shows exactly the opposite image when one stands in front of it, similarly luck often brings an outcome that is completely different, rather opposite and often bitter, to what we aspire for. I am just trying to correlate our mirror image to the unfruitful results and selves to the dream we hope for; and hence, the idea of 'Lateral Inversion'.

Cannabinoid Receptor

Cannabinoid receptor, CB1 is a G-Protein coupled receptor present extensively in brain. It combines with cannbinoids or their structural analogs and serve to perform a variety of functions like relieving pain and nausea, elevating mood and stimulating appetite. Cannabinoids are structurally related to Tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) and are released (endocannabinoids) from the depolarized membrane of neurons and suppresses the release of GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid). CB1 is an extracellular receptor with 116 amino acids with a N-terminal. The N-terminal of CB1 is not efficiently translocated through endoplasmic reticulum membrane of the cell concerned with the expression.

Diagrammatic representation of CB1 agonist and antagonist

http://www.abdn.ac.uk/staffpages/uploads/bms067/cannaboids1_th.gif

Recent Findings

Before proceeding with the main body of the blog, I admit that this blog is really awkward and risky to be put (for me) ; especially all the parents would surely want to revolt against me. But it's just a recent piece of research that milk intake has been linked to an increase in incidence of acne. I welcome all sorts of comments and criticism.

(Pictures taken from wikipedia.org) 

A study led by Omar H. Vandal,a post-doctoral research fellow at Weill Cornell Medical College has recently reported about a mycobacterial membrane protein called Rv3671c which functions to protect the mycobacterium from acidifying host's acidic attack strategy of macrophages. They have their study published in Nature Medicine. However, they have reported of carrying out further studies on this topic.

Mode of mycobacterial attack

In one of the comments, I was made aware about Lithontriptics and having gone through the information about the stuff, I found it pretty interesting and hence would like to share away the studied facts with every reader. And as usual, I would love to hear from all the readers with comments and criticism!

Definition
Lithontriptics are the agents that have something to do against the renal calculi (kidney stones). These differ from antilithics in the sense that the former helps dissolving away the already formed kidney stones while the latter is used to prevent the formation of calculi.

Nature of Kidney stones
The kidney stones; as described in the materia medica are porous and have a great degree of air entrapped. Perhaps, they vary in shape and surface texture with great diversity: they may be pointed (mulberry stones), regular etc.;rough, smooth and so on.

Well, the first glance of the title would surely sooth away the mind of all female readers. But, my male friends please don't misunderstand me; after the research reported about the spider bite that can cure erectile dysfunction in males, here comes a research in favour of all females; thanks to the University of Florida College of Medicine. Well, it's all about one more trick of boosting memory;all that is required to be done is to up-regulate the oestrogen receptor-alpha. This receptor exists as a homodimer usually.

Oestrogen Receptor-alpha in the hippocampus functions to regulate the memory and learning. Hence, if that receptor could be stimulated by some means- either by up-regulating them or increasing oestrogen concentration by some means (e.g.- dosing), memory of the individual under consideration can be improved.

Introduction

Its a good news for all the HIV positive patients and their beloved that they might fare better in immunity and be able to live longer without having to do anything with anti-HIV drugs. Guess how! Perhaps a research conducted by scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles confirms this fact by spending sometime with Meditation and Stress Removal Program.

Mechanism

The mechanism involved in slowing down the progression of immunity damping in HIV-positive patients has been explained by observing a steep decline in downfall of CD4 T cells (T-Helper cells). It is suggestive of a maintained level of T-Helper cells in the body. Still, the underlying pathway which produces such an effect as well as the inter-relationship of CNS and CD4 T cells is totally unknown and research is still underway to find out the mystery.

Research Methodology and Result

On an initial sight, the title would surely confuse away, or at least to amaze out the readers (comments are heartily welcome). Perhaps, the title explains the whole scenario I am talking about. Yes, its the iced tea that could be responsible for your kidney stones (if at all you are suffering with that complication).

Dr. John Milner, a urology expert at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine has brought out the enlightenment that iced tea could be a potential source of kidney stones if you fall upon a regular intake of the cool relaxing drink. The risk is even more greater in summer for people tend to have higher intake of iced tea as a popular and refreshing beverage. The beverage is thought upon as a mean of both fluid replenisher as well as mind pacifier. But, its better to stay dependent on cold water rather than iced tea for quenching the thirst.