Denavir is an antiviral cream which is often prescribed to treat cold sores on the lips and face that are caused by the herpes simplex virus. Denavir or its generic drug name penciclovir topical helps to prevent the growth of the virus and reduce the severity of the outbreak of lesions on the areas around the mouth or face caused by the herpes virus. The recommended dosage for the medication is external application on the affected area once every two hours for a period of four consecutive days until the sores and blisters subside.
As Denavir is an antiviral medication, some patients have used it to treat another virus-infected disease of an almost similar nature, which are genital or venereal warts. To examine whether Denavir is effective in treating genital warts, one needs to first develop an understanding about the two diseases including their symptoms and complications before arriving at any conclusion.
Like herpes, genital or venereal warts is a contagious disease that can be transmitted during sexual intercourse. They are both sexually transmitted diseases (STD), and unfortunately cannot be cured.
There are distinct differences between venereal warts and herpes. For one, genital warts are caused by a different virus known as human papillomavirus (HPV) instead of herpes simplex virus which is the virus responsible for herpes.
Another major difference between herpes and HPV lies in their outward symptoms, symptom locations and conditions. Symptoms of genital herpes are the appearances of blisters or sores on the genitals, buttocks and anal area, whereas symptoms of oral herpes are blisters and sores around the lips and face. Blisters and sores caused by herpes are often itchy, swollen and sometimes, painful and they often break out when the patient’s immune system is affected such as during stressful situations or when the body is weakened due to lack of sleep or illness.
HPV on the other hand does not often produce any outward symptoms and if they do, they are known as genital warts which are hard or soft flesh cauliflower-shaped lumps around the genital areas. Due to its general lack of symptoms, patients with HPV sometimes do not realize they are infected.
Can Denavir treat Genital Warts?
Genital warts can be either removed surgically or treated with antiviral cream application. There are currently several antiviral cream products in the market that can be used for herpes as well as genital warps.
So far Denavir has not been proven to treat genital warts. It is an antiviral cream which is manufactured for external application on cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus; there has not been any claim by its manufacturer that it can treat HPV. Secondly, it is also specifically recommended only for external application on the lips and on the face, and not to be applied inside the mouth, the nose, near the eyes or on genital areas. The latter could cause skin irritation or other side effects.
By following its recommended dosage, Denavir can reduce and contain the outbreak of swollen painful sores caused by herpes simplex virus within a matter of days. However, it can only contain and limit the outbreak of sores but cannot cure or prevent the transmission of the virus. Similarly, Denavir is unlikely to treat or prevent the transmission of HPV virus. Furthermore, genital warts caused by HPV are normally not painful but only cause discomfort and itch. In some cases, they often go away on its own even though no treatment is applied.
Therefore, one should seek medical advice before using Denavir on genital warts as the medication is not meant to fight HPV virus in the first place. However, there may be instances when symptoms are similar and it is essential to receive the right diagnosis in order to receive the right treatment.


Day 5 of the 2015 A-Z April Challenge and E is for Everglades National Park. I grew up in South Florida and have loved the mystery of the Everglades for as long as I can remember. I have always felt the spirits of the Everglades calling me....and I have answered that call many times. It is an amazing trip. Everglades National Park is a U.S. National Park in Florida that protects the southern 20 percent of the original Everglades. In the United States, it is the largest tropical wilderness, the largest wilderness of any kind east of the Mississippi River, and is visited on average by one million people each year. It is the third-largest national park in the lower 48 states after Death Valley and Yellowstone. It has been declared an International Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site, and a Wetland of International Importance, one of only three locations in the world to appear on all three lists. Although most U.S. national parks preserve unique geographic features, Everglades National Park was the first created to protect a fragile ecosystem. The Everglades are a network of wetlands and forests fed by a river flowing .25 miles (0.40 km) per day out of Lake Okeechobee, southwest into Florida Bay. The Park is the most significant breeding ground for tropical wading birds in North America, contains the largest mangrove ecosystem in the western hemisphere, is home to 36 threatened or protected species including the Florida panther, the American crocodile, and the West Indian manatee, and supports 350 species of birds, 300 species of fresh and saltwater fish, 40 species of mammals, and 50 species of reptiles. When I was a child my dad would take me fishing in Lake Okeechobee and I always dreamed about going into the Everglades. It was a forboding place....a place of no return in the eyes of a child. The majority of South Florida's fresh water, which is stored in the Biscayne Aquifer, is recharged in the park. Humans have lived for thousands of years in or around the Everglades, until plans arose in 1882 to drain the wetlands and develop the recovered land for agricultural and residential use. As the 20th century progressed, water flow from Lake Okeechobee was increasingly controlled and diverted to enable explosive growth of the South Florida metropolitan area. The park was established in 1934 to protect the quickly vanishing Everglades, and dedicated in 1947 as massive canal building projects were initiated across South Florida. The ecosystems in Everglades National Park have suffered significantly from human activity, and restoration of the Everglades is a politically charged issue in South Florida. If you ever get a chance you need to take an airboat tour of the "glades." It is an experience you will never forget. For some strange reason once you have entered the "glades" they will haunt you forever.....or at least until you return.
To Joey, With Love....WINNER!
1 year ago


There are approximately 1400 species known in Canada, including a few rare ones, 2 species of tarantulas (Antrodiaetus pacificus and Sphodros niger) and 2 species of black widows (Latrodectus variolus and L. hesperus) found in southern parts of Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.
Spiders commonly found in Canadian homes include house spiders, wolf spiders, cellar spiders, fishing spiders, jumping spiders and (much less often) black widow spiders. Interestingly the common house spider and Black Widow spider are both in the same family. Spiders are usually found in the corners of rooms, closets, boxes, dark crevices, basements, garages, and gardens.
The spider has an unsegmented body with two main divisions and four pairs of legs. It also has organs for producing silk, which is used for making nests, webs to catch prey, or cocoons for its eggs.
Most spiders prey on insects, many of them pests. Once the prey becomes tangled in the web, the spider immobilizes it by wrapping it in more silk and then injecting venom to paralyze it. Later, the spider injects a digestive liquid and sucks out all the nutrients from its prey. Not all spiders are web spinners, and there are many types of spiders that use different strategies to catch their food. For example, Wolf spiders hunt for their prey and are especially helpful to farmers and gardeners because they prey on common crop pests like caterpillars, plant bugs, and aphids.
Spiders do not transmit any diseases. Although nearly all spiders have venom glands, they rarely bite humans, and only a few species (like the black widow spider) can have a venomous -- but not usually fatal -- bite. Most spiders are nocturnal and avoid conflict by running away. They will only bite if they feel threatened (for example, being squeezed or held).
The degree of reaction to the black widow spider bite depends on the area of the body bitten, amount of venom injected, the person’s size and a person's sensitivity to the venom. Serious long-term complications or death are rare. If bitten, remain calm, and immediately get medical attention (contact your doctor, hospital, or poison control center). Apply an ice pack directly to the bite area to relieve swelling and pain.
As previously stated, spider bites are rare; however, when doing yard work or in forested areas, take proper precautions by wearing gloves and boots, rolling pants into socks and tucking your shirt into your pants.
The 3 of the Most Common Spiders in Ontario
Yellow Garden Spider
Source: The Cosmonaut, Wikimedia Commons
Cross Orbweaver Spider
Source: Ryan Hodnett, Wikimedia Commons
Yellow Sac Spider
Source: Marcello Consolo, flickr.com
How To Get Rid of Spiders?
To prevent spiders from entering your home, weather strip or caulk windows and doors, and repair screens. When cleaning your garage or basement, or working in your garden, it is a good idea to wear gloves to avoid exposing yourself to unexpected spider bites. Spiders are generally beneficial: a few spiders left in your basement and crawlspaces will help to capture earwigs and other insects.
- Sweep or vacuum baseboards and corners of rooms often to remove any harborage areas
- Remove spider webs.
- Sweep behind washers and dryers often and rearrange furniture occasionally to prevent spiders from spinning webs in the same place.
- Keep clothing, shoes, and blankets off the floor so that spiders do not hide in them during the day.
- Use yellow light bulbs outdoors to attract fewer insects, which will discourage spiders from spinning webs near your house.


Healthy Soil = Healthy Plants = Healthy People!
It’s true! The soil is a matrix of living organisms regulating the cycle and flow of nutrients. Its organisms interconnect and share both information and immune responses to pests and disease. When the soil is full of life, full of minerals, and packed with nutrients, the benefits translate all the way up the food chain!1, 2, 3
What is healthy soil?
Gardeners and farmers know good soil by their senses. In a well-tended garden, the topsoil is deep, porous, and dark. The soil crumbles in your hands and feels moist. It has texture—you can see bits of woody material and larger soil organisms. It smells like “good dirt.” Studies have even shown this occurs because healthy soil gives off beneficial chemical compounds that boost your immune system.4, 5 Because the soil is “light and fluffy,” air and water infiltrate it easily. Roots can move through good soil easily.
Healthy soil is full of life—a balance of micro and macro-organisms. It’s a microcosm in each tablespoon of soil. If you want to know how much life thrives around your garden plants, try a soil test from SOIL FOOD WEB, Inc. [http://www.soilfoodweb.com ].
Healthy Soil = Healthy Plants
Healthy soil leads to healthy plants. Healthy plants have strong cell walls and vibrant color. They are free of blemishes—or contain few. They almost glow because of how they reflect the light. Having the right balance of soil nutrients—bioavailable minerals, moisture, etc…. allow plants to grow healthy cells full of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals (chemical compounds made by plants) that build a stronger you.
One not-so-secret secret to get the best nutrition from your plants is to grow your own and pick your produce fresh. We can go beyond organic food—which makes sure our foods are not treated with biocides (pesticides and herbicides). We can look for organic, local, in season, and fresh whole foods. These are more likely to have their nutrients in tact. In addition, we can grow our own food or buy food from farmers that know how to grow nutrient-dense foods that have a high quality and standards of nutrition. Farmers employing permaculture and biodynamic techniques are exploring how to grow nutrient dense foods.
You can do the same by following these practices:
1. Get to know your soil. Every soil is different. Most of our soils have been damaged by deforestation, ill-informed farming practices, or construction. So, it’s pretty normal for our native soils to be lacking in something. There are two things you can do right away to get to know your soil better.
First, you can do a simple soil test by digging just below the surface (no grass roots), and putting 2 cups of soil in a clear mason jar or other jar. Fill the jar with water and shake it up. Over the next 23-36 hours—or until the water is clear, the soil particles will settle out. The larger sand particles settle first. Then the loamy particles will settle. Clay particles are very small and may stay suspended for some time. Finally, the organic matter (bits of twigs and flakes of leaves, for example) will float on the top. You can see the ratio of sand:clay:silt/loam:organic matter that you have in your soil. This can help you determine how best to work with your native soil. For example, if you have a lot of sand, your soils will drain quickly and you will need to give extra consideration to watering.
The second important thing to do to get to know your soil is to do a soil test. If you suspect lead is present in your soils, there are often programs through the county health department to test for heavy metals. County extension agents or soil and water conservation districts also do general soil tests. These can help you to know if your soil is lacking in a key mineral or substance that will lead to success. For more on soil tests, follow this link.
2.Add some key minerals Once you know you don’t have toxins to avoid, the next step is putting the right things into the soil. Adding the right soil amendments depends upon the mineral content of your native soil. In my Midwestern, limestone-based soil, I usually add rock phosphate and Jersey greensand. These are mined minerals that pack a punch in our garden soils.
Broccoli, cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables feed heavily on calcium. You would think that by living on a limestone-based soil these veggies would be happy in my garden—but, no. They need a form of calcium that they can take up easily. So, I add crushed, or powdered, egg shells from our breakfast to help them out. To do this, I wait until the shells are dry. Then crush them up a bit in our mortar and pestle. I take the powdered shells out to the garden, pull back the mulch, apply, and move the mulch back in place. Green Sand, Rock Dust, Bone Meal and Kelp are also valuable sources of these necessary minerals.
Every area has a different soil composition. You’ll need to adjust which minerals you import into your garden accordingly. A visit to a local nursery or garden center can provide valuable insights into the soil common in your area. A soil test from the county agricultural extension office may come in handy for a more complete picture. Here is a map of the dominant soil orders in the United States.
3.Bring on the mushrooms! Unless you are growing grains or other grasses, you will want to top your soils toward a fungally-dominated soil. Fungi are an important part of soil life. We’ve known for decades that fungi connect trees in a forest and allow them to share information through an exchange of sugars and chemicals. This allows the trees interconnected to pick up on pests or diseases in one part of the forest and begin to produce an immune response before the disease or pests get to them. The original internet! Now, this study has been replicated and shows the same relationship between fungi and plants smaller than trees.6, 7
4.Incorporate organic matter Whether your soil is too sandy, too full of clay, or likely to salt when irrigation water evaporates and leaves salts, adding organic matter is almost always part of the way to bring your soil into a healthy balance. By incorporating compost into your garden and by mulching your plants appropriately, you are building up the organic matter (read carbon) in your soil. Most soils in North America have 2-3% organic matter. Healthy soil can have 19-25% organic matter (carbon). This is exciting for those of us worried about carbon and climate change. It means that with appropriate farming and gardening, we can pull carbon out of the atmosphere.
Also, if you are eating a healthy diet, the compost created from the kitchen will bring a balance of minerals and nutrients to your soil—and pass that onto your plants.
5.Worms are your friends! Red wigglers or other earthworms can build excellent soil quickly. Though earthworms are not native to North America (and red wigglers won’t survive a freeze), these little critters are very useful.
Vermicomposting (composting with worms) is one of the best means of creating healthy, fertile soils. When other dirt bugs show up, welcome them. They are a sign your soil is becoming a healthy ecosystem. *
*Not all bugs are good news. Some soil organisms harm your plants and other insects can do the same, but if you allow your soil to become a balanced, healthy ecosystem, it will repel real threats.
These practices will build up healthy soil—and think of how many of them are also practiced in the Garden Tower!


Functional medicine fosters wellness by treating individuals as a whole. Therefore, instead of racing toward a diagnosis and a standard of care treatment, we spend far more time with you in order to understand the big picture of who you actually are. Beginning with how you feel day in and day out, we then work to connect the dots of your health picture.
The basic premise of functional medicine is that the body possesses an innate ability to heal itself. Our job is to help your body heal by correcting nutrient deficiencies, supporting weakened genetic pathways, eliminating or killing harmful elements in the body, and generally removing the barriers that impede the natural healing process.
Along the way we incorporate test findings from cutting-edge laboratories to help us understand the unique picture of your individual biochemistry. An array of lab tests is critical in the development of a customized treatment plan because any one symptom can have numerous different root causes.
After we have a clear understanding of your health history, treatment goals, and lab findings, we will devise a unique protocol comprised of nutraceuticals, lifestyle modifications, and dietary changes, along with exercise and sleep recommendations. Periodic follow-ups will enable us to determine if we need to make small adjustments along the way to help you reach your health goals.
Just as everything in the body works together, so too the mind and spirit play critical roles in healing. Time and again we've found that patients dealing with the most difficult chronic conditions are empowered in their healing journeys by actually being heard by their doctor. Unfortunately, it's all too common for traditional allopathic doctors to dismiss patient reports when they don’t fit into the diagnosis-box into which people have been placed.
The systems-based approach that characterizes functional medicine enables us to solve problems that conventional medicine merely papers over. Take depression for instance. Instead of resting content with what drugs will make you feel better in the short-term, we assess all the different systems of the body to find the exact causes of the depression: we trace out what nutrients may be lacking for healthy neurotransmitter function; we look at how well you are actually absorbing the nutrients that you're consuming; we dig into your genetic backdrop to see if you’re synthesizing the compounds needed for healthy brain function; so too we track down and remove any toxic environmental exposures; and finally, we always address the unique composition of the bacteria in your gut which has an immense impact on mental and emotional well-being.
In short, you can count on Dr. Boynton and his team to leave no stone unturned in the process of helping you find answers when no one else can.
Functional Lab Values
Another important difference between functional and conventional medicine is seen in how we analyze lab values. From the perspective of truly personalized medicine, we're looking for optimal physiological function instead of the catch-all category of 'normal' function.
Quite literally, what's considered a 'normal' level of physiological function for allopathic physicians is merely a statistical average of the actual health of all the people in a given region. Therefore 'normal' lab findings have no necessary connection to healthy function because the measurement never differentiates between healthy and unhealthy people in the first place.
Our approach to personalized medicine seeks optimal physiological function based on the unique clinical presentation of each patient. If you report not feeling well, then we know that we have more work to do in order to reach optimal physical functioning.


Botanical Name and Pronunciation:
Vanda spp. (VAN-da)
blue, orange, yellow, pink, white, lavender, often spotted
Form and Size:
The leafless stems of vanda orchids and are 24 – 32 inches long with up to 15 flat flowers that are clustered on each stem. The flowers are 2 – 4 inches in diameter with a reduced lip.
7 – 14 days
Cut under water and place in fresh water with flower food.
History and Usage:
A member of the Orchidaceae (orchid) family, vanda orchids originated in Asia and Malaysia. These exotic blossoms look beautiful in vase arrangements and other contemporary arrangements.
Points of Interest:
Relatives of vanda orchids include cymbidium, oncidium, paphiopedilum and cattleya orchids. In the 19th century, orchids became very popular and inspired many hunters to look for them. As many as 4,000 trees were cut down at one time in order to get the exotic looking blooms. One of the most popular varieties is Vanda coerules, which originated in northern India.


Developed in partnership with Orange County, FLEPPC and USF, FLIP (Florida Invasive Plants) is a mobile field guide that can be accessed by a computer, smart phone, tablet, or other device with internet browser capability. Learn more about FLIP »
The Plant Atlas website incorporates standards-based data-driven internet technologies to disseminate plant information, images and distribution maps to the public. The following is an abbreviated list of functionality available:
- Plant species are searchable by scientific and common name, including synonyms; known presence within a county; nomenclature citation information; availability of a herbarium specimen image; and listing as threatened/endangered, native, endemic, invasive, wetland and other characteristics.
- Search results can be presented as a spreadsheet-style list of plant species or as a gallery of plant images along with summary information for the purpose of comparison.
- Search result pages provide options to improve usability, including: sort by family, genus or other columns; filter based on selected characteristics, such as presence of a photograph or specimen image; or create a printer-friendly checklist to take into the field.
- Users can browse for a plant species by selecting a family; genus; common name; or county.
- Information is made available at the family, genus and species taxonomic classification levels, including distribution map and source information, synonymy, citations, and plant photographs.
- Each taxa web page is linked directly to herbarium specimen data and information, including targeted links to specific species pages on external websites such as USDA Plants and NatureServe.
- Administrative users utilize a secure web-based editor to manage online content including customized pages about the project, herbarium or institute, external links, and news and announcements.


Crown Thinning – removal of a portion of smaller branches (e.g 10%, 15% thin – no more than 30% overall though) usually at the outer crown. It is usually confined to broad-leaved species that lose their leaves in Winter. Crown thinning does not alter the overall size or shape of the tree. Common reasons for crown-thinning are to allow more light through the canopy or to reduce wind resistance.
Crown Lifting – removal of the lowest branches and/or preparing of lower branches for future removal. Crown lifting is an effective method of increasing light to areas closer to the tree, or to enable access under the crown, but should be restricted to less than 15% of the live crown height crown lifting should be specified with reference to a fixed point e.g crown lift to give 5 m clearance above ground level.
Crown Reduction – reduction of height and/or spread of the crown of a tree. The final result should retain the main framework of the crown and leave a similar, only smaller, outline. Not all species are suitable for this treatment and crown reduction should not be confused with “topping” and other indiscriminate and harmful treatments.
Sectional Felling / Dismantling – dismantling a tree safely, sometimes using rigging techniques (ropes and pulleys) to lower manageable sections of tree to the ground.
Pollarding – initial removal of the top of a young tree at a prescribed height to encourage multistem branching from that point, traditionally for fodder, firewood or poles. Once started, it should be repeated on a cyclical basis always retaining the initial pollard point.
Bracing – the installation of cables, ropes and/or belts to reduce the probability of failure of one or more parts of the tree structure due to weakened elements under excessive movement.
Formative Pruning – minor pruning during the early years of a tree’s growth to establish the desired form and/or to correct defects or weaknesses that may affect structure in later life.
Hedge Trimming – keeping a hedge in a tidy form. We conduct trimming and shaping operations to all sorts of hedge (some of the main types of hedge we work are: Conifer, Holly, Hawthorn, Beech, Hornbeam, Laurel, Privet, Yew). There is a fine line between a hedge that looks okay and a hedge that looks amazing once it’s trimmed – see our testimonials to see what our hedge customers have said.
We view the tidy-up as just as important as the actual trimming!
Hedge Reduction – sometimes hedges are just too big for whatever reason, and require some more drastic action than just a trim. It can be hard to visualise what a hedge will look like once it is reduced, we will advise you regarding the options available to you and how these will affect your hedge and your garden.
Hedge Removal – when a trim and a reduction won’t do then complete hedge removal may be necessary whether this is due to disease or even if it is just time for a change. We can remove entire hedges including roots.
Hedge Planting – we advise on choosing hedging plants and when to plant them.
Hedge Laying – often needed when old hedges become thin and unruly. Laying involves partially cutting through the living stems to near ground level and bending them over as ‘pleachers’. This process encourages new shoots to sprout along the pleachers, thickening the hedge for the first few years after laying.
Created by aga-media.com


THE future looks bright for a rare turtle washed up on an Anglesey shore last November.
Menai the turtle survived against the odds thanks to the care of staff at the Anglesey Sea Zoo and the Royal Veterinary College, London.
Recently, Menai was taken from Anglesey to the RVC Hawkshead Campus in Hertfordshire, where she was sedated for a CT scan.
The turtle was originally found in a “cold stunned state,” but continues to improve and is feeding well and gaining weight.
Since being returned to the correct temperature in her tank, Menai has had buoyancy issues which prevent her from diving.
A CT scan helped establish the cause of her problem and how soon she can be flown abroad for re-release.
Director of Anglesey Sea Zoo Franki Hobro says: “The results of the scan showed Menai has no unexpected serious underlying medical issues and is in good health other than the lung damage.
”We are now looking forward to planning the next steps towards her full recovery on the journey to get her returned to the wild."
Menai is the first Olive Ridley turtle found in the UK since records began in 1748.


Molecular brain-imaging of Huntington’s disease
Speaker: Professor Paul Cumming, BSc, MSc, PhD, Switzerland
Visiting Professor, Chief Researcher, ICERN, Samara State Medical University, Samara, Russia
Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
Adjunct Professor, School of Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
Molecular Brain Imaging of Huntington’s disease
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a devastating genetic disorder caused by elongation, misfolding and neurotoxic aggregation of the elongated N-terminal polyglutamine (polyQ) in the mutant huntingtin (mHTT) protein. Early efforts in molecular brain imaging of HD depicted the spatial pattern of reduced cerebral metabolism in positron emission tomography (PET) studies with [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). Other PET studies emphasized the characteristic degeneration of medium spiny striatal projection neurons expressing high levels of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors and adenosine A2 receptors. PET studies with markers for microglia activation reveal the pattern of neuroinflammation in parts of the basal ganglia of HD patients. Recent preclinical work has targeted more specific markers such as mHTT aggregates with [11C]CHDI-180R and synaptic density with [11C]UCB. Identification of the most sensitive marker of early degenerative changes would serve as an objective endpoint for studies of disease modifying treatments.


The Healing Broom can benefit almost every adult in a holistic way. For example, athletes and gym enthusiasts can use it as a warm-up before the sporting event or workout, senior citizens for daily low-impact workout, martial artists to relieve sore and achy muscles, computer/office workers to ease and relieve carpel tunnel and Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), busy business men and women who can’t find time to stay in shape, and holistic health conscious individuals who want to strengthen their inner body resilience. The following summary points describe the general benefits you can gain from regular usage of the Healing Broom.
- Improved blood circulation: helps relieve aches and pains.
- Vibration of cells back to normalcy: cleanses off impurities, help cells shift back to their correct position.
- Exercise: stretches and flexes muscles.
- Stimulation of potential energy: When the human body is stimulated, it creates a natural reaction. A potential energy of self-defense automatically switches on and stimulates to activate cells and helps repair our body’s biological tissues, which leads to improved physique and health. This is known to some as the “Knife Therapy Theory” in which every living creature has this kind of potential self-defense energy. An example, when fruits from an old tree become inferior, farmers usually cut a few places on the tree trunk, branches and roots. This stimulates the tree’s potential life energy that causes newly born fruits from the same tree to become big and beautiful. This is the concept that the Healing Broom is based on. When the aching feeling passes on to the hypothalamus in your brain, it secretes H.G.H. (Growth Hormone) to nurse and heal affected areas.
- Chi Practice: breathing therapy strengthens internal constitution.
- Holistic Healing: stimulates your body’s acupuncture points, meridians, and reflex areas to activate your body cells and avoids dependency on medication and negative side effects.
- Persevere and results will follow: Although results vary for each individual, make slapping entire body your daily regimen to help improve your overall wellness.


The salmon louse is a huge problem for the aquaculture industry. Fighting lice has often required chemicals and other environmental hazards. With a new innovative sea lice skirt solution, Grieg Seafood has come much closer to the dream scenario of eco-friendly delousing.
Norwegian salmon export is big business. An all-time high was reached in 2018, with Norwegian fish farming companies exporting salmon for approximately 6.5 billion euros.
But even though markets are embracing the pink gold of the cold seas, the salmon louse is a constant threat. In a fully-packed fish farming cage, the louse can create serious havoc – for the fish itself, for the profitability of the fish farmer and in the end for the environment, if delousing is done the old-fashioned way.
Earlier this year, Institute of Marine Research estimated that salmon or sea louse potentially creates losses of more than half a billion euros in various delousing efforts including cost of chemicals and decreased value of the fish itself. Professor Øystein Evensen at Norwegian University of Life Sciences was quoted by financial news website E24.no that this serious problem threatens the growth possibilities for the industry at large:
– Looking at the numbers, the annual 1.2 million tonnes tells a story about stagnation. This number cannot grow unless the industry gets the problem of salmon louse under control.
Delousing and cleaning cages with infected fish is a costly and time-consuming task. The continuous effort to delouse will stress the salmon and is bad for their general living conditions. A sea lice skirt around the cage eliminates some of the delousing challenges, but with Protan’s and Brisk Safety’s innovative take on the construction of the skirts, the delousing process can be even more eco-friendly.
The salmon louse thrives in the water closest to the surface. Mounting a protective skirt around the cage that goes 10 metres deep creates a very effective protective barrier against the lice.
Protan has a long tradition of inventive use of technical textiles and PVC membranes. From previous experience with aquaculture products, we knew that the rough conditions of Norwegian waters would cause traditional sea lice skirts to move and float upwards and thus losing their intended function. This was the background for a new and innovative approach.
The indigenous solution is to create pockets at the bottom part of the skirt. The pockets will be filled with seawater, which will anchor or stabilize the skirt just like a sinker. Wind and waves will in fact increase the stability of the installation.
The pockets keep the skirt in place. The fish farmer will not need to be concerned that lice will enter the cage in rough weather.
Thus far, major aquaculture player Grieg Seafood has replaced half of its fish farming cages in Øksfjord in Finnmark with the improved sea lice skirts. Production manager Vidar Aamo Nikolaisen says that Grieg Seafood plans to make further tests in even more stormy and weather-beaten locations in Finnmark, the northernmost region of Norway.
Even though pockets on skirts might sound like a simple idea after all, there is another major takeaway, which has attracted industry leaders like Grieg Seafood and Salmar to our products and solution: the skirts are made of 100 percent recyclable material.
SINTEF, the leading independent research institute in Norway, has estimated that the aquaculture industry generates as much as 29,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually. Other estimates are calculating that 80 percent of all plastic waste in northern waters stems from aquaculture businesses. Converting to sea lice skirts made of 100 percent recyclable PVC material will be a substantial contribution to the fight against plastic waste offshore and also eliminate microplastic pollution.
The customer simply returns the used sea lice skirts to us. A typical recycling process for the skirts would be to grind it and reuse it in some of our other products, such as roofing materials. We are talking about a lifetime of possibly more than 60 years.
This is great news for an industry in search of more sustainable practices. The end customer is gradually being more concerned about the origins of the products they buy in the supermarket and under which conditions the salmon have been raised.
Production manager Vidar Aamo Nikolaisen at Grieg Seafood has sustainability concerns high up on his list of priorities.
– I hope and believe recyclable and eco-friendly solutions for fish farming, like Protan’s sea lice skirts, will be a future norm for our industry.
How can we reduce the critical amount of plastic waste in fish farming? World leading aquaculture company Grieg Seafood has shown the way forward by pioneering sustainable and eco-friendly solutions. A great example is artificial seaweed made from 100 percent recyclable and drinking water approved PVC.


THE REVOLUTIONARY MOBILE FP4 and FP5
LASER TREATMENT IN EQUESTRIAN SPORTS – LOWICA TLX
INJURIES IN EQUESTRIAN SPORTS ARE NOT RARE
When horses are injured, this not only means a break from competitions but often also a lengthy healing process.
The costs for treatment can quickly skyrocket to astronomical levels, starting with transport, boarding, and veterinary care. Having a sick horse in the stable can quickly become a burden.
With the mobile FP4 and FP5 laser application, which has already proven itself in human medicine, the LOWICA TLX team offers horse owners the option of fast outpatient treatment for many injuries.
FP4 and FP5 LASER THERAPY – HOW IT WORKS
The laser is a source of electromagnetic radiation that, thanks to the exchange of energy at the cellular level, penetrates deep into the tissue and triggers a chain of photochemical reactions.
The following therapeutic effects can be achieved with laser therapy:
– Biostimulation and regenerating
– Draining and anti-oedematous
– Shortening the recovery time
– Neurogenic pain
– Acute and chronic tendon and ligament injuries
– Muscle strains
– Degenerative joint disease
– Poorly healing wounds
– Stimulation of the immune system
– Stimulation of cell metabolism
– Inhibition of the production of proinflammatory cytokines by macrophages
– Increased vascular permeability
– Vasodilation of arterioles and capillaries
– Return of cells to the tissue (macrophages and leukocytes)
– Stimulation of fibroblast proliferation
– Anti-inflammatory and anti-oedematous effect
– Antibacterial effect


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Skinmade Problem Solver Serum- Blemishes and Acne
Fights the four symptoms of blemishes and acne:
➢ Seborrhea (excessive sebum production)
➢ Bacterial proliferation (growth & multiplication of bacteria)
Almost every teenager is affected by acne (including blemishes), boys usually more severely than girls. In addition to acne (acne vulgaris), which occurs during the hormonal changes of puberty, acne can also occur – much more rarely – as a result of hormone intake and in the context of diseases (see below). If acne occurs in adults over the age of 25, it is called acne tarda, late acne or adult acne. Blemished skin is usually recognised by its slightly greasy, shiny appearance. Open and closed blackheads appear mainly on the face, but often also on the neck, shoulders, chest and back. In moderate to severe cases, the skin is reddened and inflamed pimples, papules and pustules appear.
[+] Hormonal changes/disorders
[+] Medications (e.g. lithium, steroids, cortisone)
[+] Dietary style (high amount of carbohydrates, excessive consumption of cow’s milk and milk products etc.)
[+] Smoking and alcohol
[+] Unsuitable skin care products and make-up that have not been tested for their so-called comedogenicity
[+] Poor or insufficient cleansing of the skin
Possible effects on your biomarkers
Personal predispositions and hormonal changes create a pro-inflammatory micro-environment. This causes increased formation of micro-comedones, which eventually lead to skin blemishes.
This is the term used to describe excessive sebum production. Normally, the sebaceous glands secrete an oily secretion that keeps the skin and hair supple. If certain changes occur in the hormone balance, impure skin can develop. The first visible sign is increased sebum production.
This refers to a thickening of the outer layer of the skin, the horny layer (stratum corneum). Due to excessive cell production and insufficient desquamation of dead, horny cells, the sebaceous gland excretory ducts are blocked and disturb or interrupt the outflow of sebum. As a result, the pores become clogged and impurities develop.
There is a mixture of “good” and “bad” bacteria on the skin. Propionibacterium acnes, which is classified as “bad”, multiplies greatly when it finds optimal conditions – excessive sebum production – and leads to impurities.
The body reacts to this excess of bacteria and the bacterial degradation products with inflammation, which becomes visible as reddened papules and pustules. In severe cases, the follicle wall can break open in the late phase. Lipids, fatty acids, horny cells, bacteria and cell fragments are released and cause extensive and deep inflammation in the surrounding tissue.
There are several forms of acne (acne vulgaris), which are characterised by different skin changes:
This is characterised by the appearance of open and closed blackheads (impurities) which are not or hardly inflamed. The number of closed blackheads clearly exceeds the number of open blackheads, especially in women. In acne comedonica, the blackheads are mainly located on the face, especially on the sides of the nose, chin and forehead.
In this form of acne, in addition to blackheads, there are inflammatory pustules (pus-filled protuberances of the excretory duct) and painful papules (up to five millimetres in size) and small nodules (five to ten millimetres in size) when touched. In addition to the face, the chest, back and upper arms can also be affected. Different types of scars can develop quickly or later from the inflammations.
Acne conglobata or cystic acne
Mainly men are affected by this severe form of acne that requires medical treatment. One to two centimetre large, highly inflammatory and painful nodules form, which in the course of time merge with each other to form ducts or encapsulate as deep abscesses. After the inflammations have healed, characteristic acne scars remain.
There are also various other forms of acne, some examples of which are listed below:
occurs as a complication of acne conglobata. It can lead to fever and the death of affected skin areas (skin necrosis), kidney inflammation and joint inflammation.
occurs in newborns, but heals quickly after delivery. The cause is thought to be male sex hormones that are transferred from the mother to the embryo.
means that the acne persists in infancy. A possible cause is congenital hormonal enzyme deficiency or locally over-oily skin.
Pimples and pustules caused by medication, for example cortisone preparations, vitamin B complex, iodine compounds, antidepressants or modern anti-tumour preparations.
Acne venenata (occupational acne/contact acne)
Affects people who work with oils or tar, for example, or who work in hot and humid environments (melting furnaces, mangles), or it is caused by blackhead-inducing ingredients in cosmetics.
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The importance of Magnesium
Don’t let cramps, cramp your style
Have you ever been told that you may be low in magnesium?
Magnesium deficiency commonly manifests as muscle spasms/cramps, muscular weakness, low energy, joint pain, depression, anxiety, migraines, high blood pressure, insomnia and inability to cope with stress. It is known as one of the master minerals of the body, as it is the 4th most abundant atom and is involved in over 300 pathways that help the body to function at its optimum.
Did you know that 50% of magnesium is found in your bones, while the other 50% is distributed equally between your muscles and connective tissue? This explains the importance of magnesium for muscle activity and health (Braun & Cohen, 2014).
One of the main roles of magnesium within the body is to relax muscle cells, it is here that magnesium works alongside calcium (which is responsible for muscle contraction) that allows us to move. Magnesium also has a critical role in energy production and antioxidant synthesis in the muscle. Therefore without sufficient dietary intake, your muscles are less likely to relax and recover after exercise and/or after times of stress. Over time this can strain on our muscles, and injury is more likely to occur (Jahnen-Dechent & Ketteler, 2012).
New Zealand’s recommended daily intake of Magnesium
Women 19-30 years – 310 milligrams (mg)
Women 30+ – 320 mg
Men 19-30 years – 400 mg
Men 30+ – 420 mg (Ministry of Health, 2005).
Magnesium can be sourced naturally in a wide range of foods, including dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, cabbage), pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, legumes (black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, lentils), amaranth grain, whole grain oats, quinoa, brown rice, avocado and bananas.
An easy way to incorporate this into your daily diet is to ensure you have a handful of nuts daily, have at least two servings of dark leafy green vegetables and to consume one cup of whole grains daily (Braun & Cohen, 2014; Gropper, Smith, & Groff, 2009).
It is also very common in this day and age to be living very stressful lifestyles and as a result, our body may use more magnesium than what we consume each day. An easy way to get some extra magnesium is through magnesium Epsom salt baths. Not only is this a simple way to reduce your stress and anxiety, the magnesium is able to absorb straight into your blood stream and tissues. Below is a recipe for our favourite magnesium salt bath!
Magnesium salt bath recipe
Add 1-2 cups Epsom salts to the bath (can be bought from your local health store – be wary of cheap forms as they may be impure and contain heavy metals)
[Optional] Add 10 drops of your favourite essential oil to the bath (Lavender is a great muscle and nerve relaxant)
Sit back and relax for twenty to thirty minutes
Braun, L., & Cohen, M. (2014). Herbs and natural supplements: An evidence-based guide (4th ed: Vol.2.). Sydney, Australia: Churchill Livingstone.
Gropper, S., Smith, J., & Groff, J. (2009). Advanced nutrition and human metabolism. Sydney, Australia: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.
Jahnen-Dechent, W., & Ketteler, M. (2012). Magnesium basics. Clinical Kidney Journal, 5(1), 13–14.
Ministry of Health. (2005). Nutrient reference values for Australia and New Zealand: Including recommended dietary intakes. Retrieved fromhttps://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/publications/attachments/n35.pdf


Root canal means taking the nerve out from the inside of the tooth. Root canal therapy is the treatment for the teeth that are severely decayed, infected, or broken. Root canal therapy can maintain your teeth life saving them from extraction.
Wisdom teeth are mostly extracted either before or after they come in the oral cavity. They commonly become visible in the oral cavity during the late teens or early 20s. These teeth often get stuck in the jaws (impacted) and do not come out.
Any injury to the teeth or gums can be potentially serious. Ignoring a dental problem can lead to delays in treatment, which can increase the risk of permanent damage as well as the need for more extensive and expensive treatment down the road.


Fibromyalgia syndrome is chronic disorder which includes widespread muscle pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points in the body. Fibromyalgia affects 3-6 million people in the United States, most of which are women.
In order to get a fibromyalgia diagnosis, you must be able to identify 11 or more tender points in your body. Fibromyalgia is caused by a stress-induced change in metabolism and healing. Unfortunately, it is a chronic condition. It won't however, cause damage to your joints, muscles, or internal organs. People with Fibromyalgia may experience some or all of these symptoms:
• sleep disturbances
• morning stiffness
• irritable bowel syndrome
• painful menstrual periods
• restless leg syndrome
• temperature sensitivity
• cognitive and memory problems
One of the major physical abnormalities noted with fibromyalgia lies in the actual muscle itself. It has been found that in people with fibromyalgia, there is a buildup of a protein called "Ground Substance." This ground substance is normally found in muscle, bone and connective tissue all over your body. It is responsible for making the tissues stronger and less susceptible to tearing. In a person who does not have fibromyalgia, when a muscle is injured, the muscle tissue is able to regenerate and over time, completely heal itself. In a person who has fibromyalgia, the muscle is unable to do this. Instead of healing itself, an abnormally large amount of ground substance builds up in the injured area. It is the ground substance, in addition to muscle spasm that creates the muscle 'knots' associated with fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia Syndrome Treatment
Fibromyalgia treatment often requires a team approach, utilizing chiropractic care, trigger point therapy, massage, dietary changes, as well as exercises and stretching. Another great option for treatment for those suffering from fibromyalgia that we offer in our office is something called Rapid Release Therapy. Rapid Release Therapy is focused on relief of muscle and joint pain. It uses targeted high speed vibration to deliver compression waves to the muscles and joints. It uses the optimum frequency along with a short 2mm stroke, resulting in a powerful yet gentle therapy. It offers relief of soft tissue problems affecting the nerves, muscles, tendons and ligaments.
Are you experiencing pain from fibromyalgia syndrome? If so, don't hesitate to give your Duluth Chiropractor a call today and stop living in pain.Call us today for a FREE consultation!


What is Femoral Shaft Fracture?
A femoral shaft fracture is a crack or break anywhere along the long and straight section of the femur (thighbone) due to high-energy trauma or low-energy trauma in osteoporotic patients. The femur is the strongest and longest bone in the body. It connects with the pelvis at the top to form the hip joint and the tibia and fibula at the bottom to form the knee joint.
Types of Femoral Shaft Fracture
Femoral fractures are classified into different types based on the site of the fracture, pattern of the fracture, and whether the muscle and skin over the bone is ruptured by the injury.
In general, femoral shaft fractures can be divided into the following common types:
- Transverse fracture: This type of fracture occurs along the femoral shaft in a horizontal line pattern.
- Oblique fracture: In this type, the fracture occurs across the shaft in an angled line pattern.
- Spiral fracture: In this type, the fracture line surrounds the shaft and occurs as a result of a twisting force.
- Comminuted fracture: This type of fracture involves a splinter or break of bone into 3 or more pieces.
- Open fracture: This is also known as a compound fracture and is the most serious form of femoral shaft fracture in which the fracture causes the bone pieces to stick out through the skin to the outer environment resulting in serious injury to surrounding soft tissue structures, such as muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
Causes of Femoral Shaft Fracture
Some of the common causes of femoral shaft fractures include:
- High-energy trauma, such as motor vehicle collisions or contact sports
- Low-energy trauma in the elderly, such as a fall from standing
- Pedestrian versus automobile accident
- Falls from height
- Mineral deficiency
- Gunshot trauma
- Direct blow to the femoral shaft
Signs and Symptoms of Femoral Shaft Fracture
Some of the signs and symptoms of femoral shaft fractures include:
- Difficulty walking
- Leg-length discrepancy
- Inability to bear weight
Diagnosis of Femoral Shaft Fracture
To diagnose a femoral shaft fracture, your doctor will review your symptoms and medical history and conduct a thorough physical examination to look for signs of swelling, bruises, rupture of the skin, or any other bone deformities. In order to confirm the diagnosis and obtain further information on the severity of the fracture, your doctor may recommend:
- X-rays: This study uses high electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of the bones and helps to detect whether the femur is intact or broken and the type of fracture and its location.
- CT scan: This scan uses special x-rays that produce images of the cross-section of your limb with clear images of any damage present that is not visible in an x-ray. It provides your doctor with crucial information about the severity of the fracture.
Treatment for Femoral Shaft Fracture
Surgery is the most preferred choice of treatment for femoral shaft fractures as most fractures require surgical intervention to heal. However, fractures in children until 5 years are sometimes treated with conservative measures such as a cast.
- Casting: In this method, a spica cast is used to hold the fractured bone fragments in proper position until the bone heals. A cast is a covering made of plastic or fiber that encases the affected limb to stabilize the bone.
- Traction: This method is employed if a significant leg-length discrepancy is noted and involves placing the limb in a weight and counterweight system (traction) to ensure the bones are realigned properly to stabilize the bone.
- External fixation: This method is performed in case you have multiple injuries. Your doctor will place metal screws and pins inside the bone which will be attached to a rod present outside the skin. This helps in stabilizing the bones.
- Intramedullary nailing: In this method, a rod is passed along the broken bone and intramedullary nails made of titanium are fixed above and below the femoral shaft to stabilize and heal it.
- Plates and screws: In this procedure, your doctor will reposition the fragmented bones and align them by fixing it with screws and metal plates. The plates and screws method is employed when intramedullary nailing is not a viable option.
After the surgery, your doctor will recommend physical therapy to strengthen the bone and surrounding muscles and to help ensure return to optimum function as quickly as possible. However, complete healing of most femoral shaft fractures takes around 3 to 6 months or longer.


Greening Western Queens Perennial Planting Workshop 2014!
Saturday, May 17, 2014
10am to 1pm
(rain date is Sunday, May 18)
Hoyt Avenue North and 24th Street
Learn about native perennials and how they enhance the soil in tree beds and improve the health of our young trees!
Help plant perennials that will bloom every year and attract butterflies and birds to enhance the local ecosystem.
Tools and refreshments will be provided.
Please rsvp by contacting Bin at:
or call: (917) 613-5742


What Causes Diaper Rash?
Babies are so susceptible to diaper rash that wet and soiled diapers can irritate baby's delicate skin. Naturally, if your baby is in a wet diaper for too long, she will be more prone to getting a rash.
Some of the most common causes of diaper rash to be aware of are:
- Irritation due to bowel movements and diarrhea
- Irritation due to moisture from urine
(even the most absorbent diapers leave some wetness behind)
- Not drying the skin thoroughly after a diaper change
- Diaper chafing/friction
- Allergic reaction to ingredients found in diaper wipes, laundry detergent, soap, lotion
- Change in food or introducing new foods


This team is involved in three major domains
Innovative diagnostic approaches
- To develop new technical approaches to address the current analytical barriers (flexibility, multiplexing, assays based on T cell analysis, duration and cost).
- To develop molecular or immunological tools that can be combined with automated platforms or, on the contrary, with easy-to-handle rapid and portable tests according to the targeted needs.
New approaches and tests for low and middle income (LMI) countries
- To develop diagnosis assays adapted to LMI countries
- To scaling up testing in field and decentralized environments
- To provide data about HIV, viral hepatitis, TB and others infectious diseases in LMI countries
Prevention of the transmission of infectious agents (vertical , sexual , transfusional transmisions , IV drugs & other parenteral ways)
- To improve the development of more flexible innovative diagnostic strategies to face known and emerging infectious and immunological risks for improving blood safety.
- To develop diagnostic strategies for future personalized medicine in the context of the prevention of chronic infections.


PKD. Polycystic kidney disease.
The following information is from National Kidney Foundation (I've abbreviated some the page here)
What is polycystic kidney disease?
Polycystic kidney disease (also called PKD) causes numerous cysts to grow in the kidneys. These cysts are filled with fluid. If too many cysts grow or if they get too big, the kidneys can become damaged. PKD cysts can slowly replace much of the kidneys, reducing kidney function and leading to kidney failure.
How common is PKD?
In the United States about 600,000 people have PKD. It is the fourth leading cause of kidney failure. It is found in all races and occurs equally in men and women. It causes about 5% of all kidney failure.
What other organs besides the kidney are affected by PKD?
PKD can affect other organs besides the kidney. People with PKD may have cysts in their liver, pancreas, spleen, ovaries, and large bowel. Cysts in these organs usually do not cause serious problems, but can in some people. PKD can also affect the brain or heart. If PKD affects the brain, it can cause an aneurysm. An aneurysm is a bulging blood vessel that can burst, resulting in a stroke or even death. If PKD affects the heart, the valves can become floppy, resulting in a heart murmur in some patients.
Does everyone with PKD develop kidney failure?
No. About 50 percent of people with PKD will have kidney failure by age 60, and about 60 percent will have kidney failure by age 70. People with kidney failure will need dialysis or a kidney transplant.
How is PKD treated?
At present, there is no cure for PKD. However, a lot of research is being done. Many studies suggest that some treatments may slow the rate of kidney disease in PKD, but further research is needed before these treatments can be used in patients. Other studies are helping us understand the genetic basis of PKD.
Who is at risk for developing PKD?
PKD runs in families. It is an inherited disorder that is passed from parents to children through genes. Genes are the basic elements of heredity. At conception, children receive a set of genes from each parent. They determine many characteristics such as hair color and eye color. Genes can also determine the likelihood of developing a disease.
If you're asking why PKD speaks to my heart it's because it runs in my family. My grandmother and uncle had it (both are now deceased), my mom, my aunt, a cousin and another family member have it. My aunt has been on a kidney transplant waiting list for 3 years now and my mom's kidney function is almost to the point of needing dialysis or seeing if she'd be eligible to be placed on the waiting list.
So far I have not been diagnosed with this but I continue to watch for signs. Two family members were outside the normal ages of diagnosis when they found out they have it so I know it can show up at anytime.
iRun 4 PKD for those who can't. My mom's kidneys are so large that she has a hard time walking very fast or playing with her grandkids or doing chores around the house without her ribs pushing on her kidneys. She would love to be more active than she is but is limited by pain.
iRun 4 PKD for those laying on a bed in a dialysis ward, having the toxins pulled from their blood by a machine because their kidneys no longer can do it.
iRun 4 PKD for my children's future. Even though I don't have this disease, my children still have a chance of having it passed to them. I hope by raising money for research and treatments I can give them hope in a future without PKD.
Please go to my donation page, Kirsten Reynolds Run for PKD, to read a little more about my mission this year and to make a donation for PKD.
Thank you for partnering with me to fight this disease.


A Bit About Robert J. Lefkowitz
Dr. Lefkowitz is the Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Professor of Biochemistry at Duke University. He has been an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute since 1976. He was the 2012 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, a prize he shared with his former trainee Dr. Brian Kobilka, who is currently a Professor at Stanford.
Lefkowitz was born on April 15, 1943, in The Bronx, New York.
He graduated from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1966 with an M.D. Degree. After serving an internship and one year of general medical residency at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, he served as Clinical and Research Associate at the National Institutes of Health from 1968 to 1970.
Upon completing his medical residency and research and clinical training in 1973 at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston he joined the faculty at Duke where he has worked ever since.
Lefkowitz studies receptor biology and signal transduction and is most well-known for his detailed characterizations of the sequence, structure and function of the β-adrenergic and related receptors and for the discovery and characterization of the two families of proteins which regulate them, the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) kinases and β-arrestins.
In the mid-1980s and 1990’s he and his colleagues discovered that all GPCRs (which include the β-adrenergic receptor) have a very similar molecular structure. About 1,000 different receptors in the human body belong to this same family. As a result researchers now understand how to effectively target the largest receptor family in the human body. Today, as many as 30-50 percent of all prescription drugs are designed to “fit” like keys into the similarly structured locks of Lefkowitz’ receptors-everything from anti-histamines to ulcer drugs to beta blockers that help relieve hypertension, angina and coronary disease.
In 1988, he was inducted into both the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and in 1994, he was elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences.
Lefkowitz has received more than 70 awards for his work on cellular receptors, including the Gairdner Foundation International Award (1988), the Association of America Medical Colleges’ Biomedical Research Award (1990), the American Heart Association’s Basic Research Prize (1990) and its Research Achievement Award (2009), the Bristol-Myers Squibb Award for Distinguished Achievement in Cardiovascular Research (1992), the National Academy of Sciences’ Jessie Stevenson Kovalenko Medal (2001), Fred Conrad Koch Award of The Endocrine Society (2001), and nine honorary doctorates. In 2007 he received the Albany Medical Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research and The Shaw Prize in Life Science and Medicine. He received the 2007 National Medal of Science, presented by President George W. Bush on Sept. 29, 2008, and the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2012.


You’re in possession of one of the most complex and incredible objects in the known universe: the human brain. It isn’t much to look at – a wrinkled pink blob with the texture of soft tofu, yet it’s what has enabled our species to build civilisations, create great art and fly to the moon.
How does a 1.4 kilogram tangle of nerve cells allow you to sense, understand and change the world? How does it support thought, memoryand consciousness? What is intelligence and how does it change as we grow older? Are male and female brains so different? What are the profound connections between the human brain and body? And what happens when things go wrong?
Join six experts working at the forefront of neuroscience, genetics and psychiatry to answer these questions and more. Discover why this is the most exciting time in the history of brain science.
Anyone interested in neuroscience, whatever your age or background. Whether you're a scientist, a student or simply a fascinated human being, Instant Expert: Mysteries of the Mind offers the chance to learn directly from the experts at our one-day masterclass


Workers at Greenville Health System have identified a piece of equipment they believe is responsible for infecting 14 people with atypical mycobacterium during routine surgeries, according to a recent news report from WLTX 19.
The first infection was diagnosed in March 2014, although the surgery that introduced the infection may have happened much earlier because the bacterium has a long incubation period, according to hospital officials. One of the fourteen patients diagnosed with the infection died, although hospital officials believe the cause of death was another underlying medical condition, not the infection itself.
What is an Atypical Microbacterium?
Atypical microbacterium are a group of bacteria in the same family as the bacterium that causes tuberculosis. While atypical microbacteria do not cause tuberculosis, they can cause other infections and illnesses. They can be found in water, soil, some unpasteurized food items like raw milk, and in animals.
How Do People Become Infected with Atypical Microbacteria?
Some people carry the bacteria naturally within their bodies and show no signs of disease. It is also possible to “catch” an atypical microbacterium from a number of sources. A simple failure to observe proper sterilization and hygiene procedures can cause an infection, especially in a hospital or medical setting. It’s also possible to get the infection from food that has not been properly prepared, from exposure to infected animals, or from other sources.
Atypical microbacterium infections are rarely transmitted from person to person. If a loved one has such an infection, however, proper hygiene procedures like regular handwashing are essential.
What Are the Symptoms?
Symptoms of an atypical microbacterium infection include coughing, fever, weakness, and weight loss. People who have weakened immune systems, are already ill with another virus or infection, have lung disease or lung damage, or who drink or smoke heavily are at a higher risk of becoming infected than individuals who do not fit into any of these categories.
Because the symptoms of an atypical microbacterial infection can mimic the symptoms of tuberculosis, it is important to ensure the diagnosis is correct. One way doctors attempt to distinguish between tuberculosis and an atypical microbacterium infection is by performing a chest x-ray or other tests.
I Think I Have an Infection. What Should I Do?
First, see your doctor if you haven’t already. Before your appointment, try to recall everything you can about when the symptoms started, how they have changed or stayed the same over time, and what you have done to treat them. Write this information down if writing will help you remember it. The more information your doctor has, the more effectively he or she can treat you.
Next, if you know or suspect that your infection was the result of negligent treatment by another person or party, consider speaking to an experienced injury lawyer.
If you’ve been injured in a hospital, nursing home or other medical facility in South Carolina, don’t wait: call an experienced personal injury lawyer who can answer your questions and help you protect your legal rights. Call us today at 1.800.533.6845 for a free and confidential injury consultation.


Did you know skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in America? At The Dermatology Institute of Georgia, Dr. Felicity M. Warren offers thorough skin cancer screenings and care to residents of both Lilburn and Acworth, Georgia. It’s never too early or too late to have a comprehensive professional skin cancer screening. Schedule your appointment today by calling the office or using the online scheduling tool.
There are three main kinds of skin cancer. While some types of cancer begin in other areas and spread to the skin, true skin cancer originates in skin cells.
The three types of skin cancer include:
Each of these skin cancers has a unique treatment path, but early detection is the key to a favorable outcome. Learning what to look for is essential, but taking the time actually to check your skin from head to toe for irregularities is sometimes easier said than done.
Basal cell and squamous cell cancers reside in areas that get regular sun exposure, like your head or arms. They often appear as new sores, bumps, or growths that don’t heal quickly.
They can be red, pink, translucent, or varied in color. These areas of skin can also be flat or raised or rough or smooth.
Melanoma often appears in the form of a new or unusual mole. Most people have one or more moles, but when they have irregular borders, are blotchy in color, or grow larger, Dr. Warren needs to check them out.
Diagnosis begins with a thorough physical examination. Dr. Felicity Warren checks for any irregularities in your skin. If she sees anything troubling, she takes a biopsy, which is a small sample of skin cells. Lab testing can determine if the sample contains cancerous cells.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, nearly 10,000 Americans receive a skin cancer diagnosis every year.
Dr. Warren guides you to the treatment that’s best for you, depending on the type of skin cancer, its location, and how advanced it is.
Standard skin cancer treatment options usually include:
There may be a genetic component to skin cancer, but there are also plenty of things you can do to prevent cancer from developing. A rigorous program of sun protection is a great place to start, and routine skin cancer screenings are also important.
Your skin cancer screening is just a quick phone call away. Reach out to The Dermatology Institute of Georgia to book your appointment today.


“Most of them are quite safe,” science teacher and conservationist Greg Smith told 891 ABC Adelaide‘s Weekends program.
“There are only really a handful that are dangerous to human structures.”
Mr Smith said throughout South Australia’s Mount Lofty Ranges there were two main types of termites — mound-building termites and subterranean termites.
The good termites
“The mound builders actually eat grass — so they are not a real problem at all,” Mr Smith said.
He said the mound-building termites were a vital part of the ecosystem.
“Some bird species eat termites and won’t breed at all without them,” Mr Smith said.
Bird breeders actively harvest termites to feed their animals during breeding seasons but leave the mounds intact.
“We don’t destroy the mounds when we see them, we just take a section of it out and then cover it back up,” Mr Smith said.
The heath goanna (Varanus rosenbergi) lays its eggs in termite mounds.
The goanna is classified as vulnerable in South Australia by the environment department, with several areas now listing them as endangered.
“They are almost extinct in the [Adelaide] Hills,” Mr Smith said.
The bad termites
“The subterranean ones will travel underground for up to 200 metres, into a new food source, which may be your house,” Mr Smith said.
In suburbia he said the average residential block was about 10 metres wide, which would give a termite nest up to 20 houses in its range.
Mr Smith said people wanting to rid a home block of termites needed to be aware of the longevity of chemicals if used.
“Anything that can kill something is not going to do us any favours in the long run.”
“It might kill an insect in a few minutes, but I always worry about the long-term affects on ourselves.”
Mr Smith recommended home users check which type of termite nest they have discovered before attempting to destroy it.
If it was a breed that was a threat to buildings, he suggested owners check the contents and warnings of poisons before using them around homes.


The Vagus: A Biological Mechanism for Oneness?
by: Matthew S. Goodman, MA, BCB
When we are feeling more emotionally connected to people around us, our heart rhythms are more in sync with one another, suggesting a state of interpersonal “coherence.” When you are in a room filled with “good energy,” or are deeply tuned into your partner, the cells in your body are actually reflecting this harmony on a physiological level. Heart rate rhythms and the generation of a “coherent” state are mediated by a fascinating, and generally overlooked, structure in our nervous system. Let me introduce you to the vagus nerve.
The vagus nerve runs from the brainstem to other parts of the body, including the heart and digestive tract. According to Stephen Porges and the “Polyvagal Theory,” the vagus evolved to serve three distinct mechanisms: 1) immobilization or “shutdown,” 2) sympathetic or “fight or flight,” and 3) social engagement.
So how, exactly, does this nerve influence these different states? Threats to an individual, whether external (a dark alley) or internal (worrying about the future), lead to vagal withdrawal and prepare us for defensive action, or “fight or flight.”. Trauma may lead to immobilization or shutdown of the system. When we feel safe, however, and are able to self-regulate our internal activity, the “rest,” “digest,” and “heal” part of our body kicks on and allows the evolutionarily-newer branch of the vagus to activate our social engagement system. When this occurs, our heart rates become rhythmic, juices start churning and digesting in our guts, and we’re better able to sense into our bodies. In sum, we feel more connected.
Interestingly, meditation is one way to gain better control of this vagal mechanism. Both increased attentional control and slow breathing patterns contribute to better vagal regulation. This should come as no surprise, considering a common effect of one’s meditation (or other contemplative) practice is feeling more connected to others- or feeling “oneness.”


Main Article Content
Aims: This study aims to define criteria for the main physical and chemical characteristics of the environmental niches populated with electrochemically active microorganisms, capable to perform anaerobic respiration and potentially used in Bio-electrochemical systems such as Microbial Fuel Cells.
Study Design: In this study, specific parameters of the environment in water bodies (such as lakes, streams etc.) and their bottom layers are analyzed. The main parameters of interest include the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the water column, the organic matter content in the sediments and the presence of alternative electron acceptors (such as iron and manganese ions) to support anaerobic respiration. Sediment microorganisms are characterized for their electrochemical and biodegradation activity.
Place and Duration of Study: The tested sediment and water samples were collected from "Poda" Protected Site located on the outfall of Lake “Uzungeren”, south of City of Burgas, Bulgaria.
Methodology: The samples were analyzed employing TGA, ICP and microbiological methods focusing on chemical, physical and biological conditions available for anaerobic respiration in this ecological niche.
Results: The results show very low concentrations of dissolved oxygen (from 1.4 to 2.2 mg/dm3 in the various locations). The conductivity and the pH values measured were relatively high and the mean values obtained are 5230 μS/cm and 8.2 respectively. The sediment samples demonstrated very high organic matter content (22.5% of the dry mass) and relatively high levels of iron and manganese.
Microbial fuel cell powered by mixed bacterial culture isolated from the tested sediment samples demonstrated stable performance reaching power density of 3.5 W/m2 and the COD removal rate of 42 mgO2/dm3 per day.
Conclusion: The result confirms the initial hypothesis that electrochemically active microorganisms are available in environments with high concentration of organic matter, iron and manganese in combination with low availability of dissolved oxygen. Mixed culture of anaerobic bacteria isolated from the tested sediment sample was successfully implemented to power Microbial Fuel Cell.
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- Elastic fiber (looks as if someone drew a line on the slide with a sharp pencil)
- Collagen fibers (arranged in a loose fashion)
- Fibers (collagen, elastic, and reticular) are loosely organized, so this tissue can distort without damage.
- Elastic fibers make the tissue resilient. This tissue returns to its original shape when distorted.
- The matrix is thick/viscus (the consistency of clear maple syrup)
- There are many cells that can be found in this tissue:
- Fibroblasts (that make the fibers)
- Mast cells (that initiate inflammatory response)
- Macrophages (that patrol for and destroy foreign invaders like bacteria)
- White blood cells (that patrol for and destroy foreign invaders like bacteria)
- Provides padding/cushion
- Has elastic properties to allow for movement
- This tissue is one of the packaging materials of the body.
- Forms a layer that separates skin from deeper structures.
- Forms lamina propria of mucus membranes (the foundation layer that connects the mucus membranes to what lies underneath)
- Packages organs
- Surrounds capillaries


The nucleus is a crucial part of a cell that controls nearly all of its activities. Cells are broadly classified into two types based on whether they have a nucleus or not – prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus, while eukaryotic cells have one. This classification helps us understand different types of cells.
What is a Nucleus?
The most important part of a cell is the nucleus (more than one is called nuclei). The word “nucleus” comes from Latin, meaning the “kernel of a nut.”
A nucleus is a vital part of eukaryotic cells, surrounded by a double membrane, and it holds the genetic material.
A diagram shows the different parts of a nucleus. It’s essential to note that only eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, while prokaryotic cells have a nucleoid.
As mentioned earlier, the nucleus is exclusive to eukaryotic cells, setting them apart. However, some cells, like red blood cells (RBCs), don’t have a nucleus, even though they come from eukaryotic organisms.
Structure Of Nucleus
Usually, the nucleus is the most noticeable part of the cell.
- The nucleus is entirely surrounded by membranes.
- It is surrounded by a structure called the nuclear envelope.
- This membrane separates the cytoplasm from the materials inside the nucleus.
- The cell’s chromosomes are also enclosed within it.
- DNA is found in the chromosomes, and they hold the genetic information needed to make various cell parts and to reproduce life.
The nucleus has important functions:
- Hereditary Information and Control: It holds the cell’s genetic information and manages the cell’s growth and reproduction.
- Membrane-Bound Structure: Described as a structure surrounded by membranes, it contains the cell’s genetic material.
- Active Cellular Processes: Beyond being a storage for DNA, the nucleus is involved in vital cellular activities.
- DNA Replication: The nucleus enables the duplication of DNA through a process called DNA Replication, creating an exact copy.
- Cell Division: This duplication is the initial step in cell division, ensuring each new cell has its set of instructions.
- Transcription Site: The nucleus serves as the site for transcription, generating various types of RNA from DNA. It’s like making copies of specific pages of the body’s instructions that can be read by the rest of the cell.
- Biology’s Central Rule: Following the fundamental rule of biology, DNA is copied into RNA, and then proteins are formed.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Nucleus
Q1. What important polymer is located in the nucleus?
Answer: The DNA, which is the genetic material of the cell, is a polymer of nucleotides found within the nucleus.
Q2. Can DNA leave the nucleus?
Answer: Eukaryotic DNA does not leave the nucleus but is copied into RNA molecules, which may then travel out of the nucleus.
Q3. What is the difference between a nucleus and a nucleoid?
Answer: A nucleus is a membrane-bound organelle housing DNA in eukaryotes, while a nucleoid is an irregularly shaped region housing genetic material in prokaryotes.
Q4. What is the difference between a nucleus and a nucleolus?
Answer: The nucleus is a membrane-bound organelle containing DNA, while the nucleolus is a sub-organelle within the nucleus responsible for RNA synthesis and ribosome formation.
Q5. What is the nucleus?
Answer: The nucleus is a vital organelle enclosed by a double membrane. It holds genetic material and instructions crucial for cellular processes. This organelle is exclusively present in eukaryotic cells and ranks among the largest in a cell.
Q6. What is the structure of the Nucleus?
Answer: The nucleus features a double-membraned envelope, known as the nuclear membrane. It houses the nucleolus, occupying 25% of the volume. Thread-like structures called chromatins, containing proteins and DNA, are also present. Mechanical strength is provided by the nuclear matrix, a network of fibers similar to the cytoskeleton.
Q7. What are the functions of the nucleus?
Answer: The nucleus serves two primary functions:
- DNA Storage: It stores the cell’s hereditary material, DNA.
- Cellular Coordination: The nucleus coordinates essential cellular activities like protein synthesis, cell division, growth, and various other crucial functions.
Q8. How does the nucleus contribute to cell reproduction?
Answer: The nucleus plays a crucial role in cell reproduction by facilitating DNA replication through a process known as DNA Replication. This ensures the creation of identical genetic material, a fundamental step in cell division.
Q9. Can you explain the significance of the nucleolus within the nucleus?
Answer: Certainly. The nucleolus, located within the nucleus, is responsible for the assembly of ribosomes, essential for protein synthesis. It occupies a quarter of the nucleus’s volume, emphasizing its importance in cellular functions.
Q10. Who discovered the cell nucleus?
Answer: The nucleus was first discovered by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek during his study of microorganisms, and its details were further described by Robert Brown in 1831.
Q11. Do prokaryotes have a nucleus?
Answer: Prokaryotic cells, including bacteria and archaea, lack a true nucleus. Instead, they have a membrane-less nucleoid region that contains their free-floating DNA.
Q12. Do archaebacteria and eubacteria have a nucleus?
Answer: Both archaebacteria and eubacteria, being prokaryotic organisms, lack all membrane-bound organelles, including the nucleus.
Q13: Do viruses have a nucleus?
Answer: Viruses do not possess any cell organelles, including a nucleus.
Q14. Do protists have a nucleus?
Answer: Yes, protists, as eukaryotic cells, have a membrane-bound nucleus that houses their genetic material.
Q15. Do fungi and amoeba have a nucleus?
Answer: Yes, fungi and amoeba, being eukaryotes, have a membrane-bound nucleus within their cells.
Q16. Do white blood cells have a nucleus?
Answer: Yes, white blood cells, or leucocytes, have a distinct nucleus that sets them apart from other blood cells.
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