When do cancers produce metastases?

When do cancers produce metastases?




Before producing metastases a normal cell should change itself to a malignant cell. This is explained by the multiple hit theory. When a cell becomes malignant it looses its ability to control its growth and proliferation. So it produces a group of cells which are loosely adhered to each other. So one of these cells can get detached from the original location and can get deposited in a different location. But this is not enough to produce metastases. It should fulfill another need. The malignant cells should acquire the ability to grow in the new location. Since the original malignant cell has undergone significant DNA damage its DNA is unstable. So it undergoes further mutations. During this process one of the cells acquire the ability to grow in a remote location. Now this cell can proliferate, spread ad produce metastases. With further mutations metastasis potential of these cells also increase.

Metastases can occur in different ways,

1. Lymphatogenous metastasis
2. Hematogenous metastasis
3. Metastasis in body cavities

Dormancy of metastases

Some metastasis can remain dormant for some time and later proliferate. This is seen in breast cancers. So when we take all these things into account we should treat cancers as early as possible when the metastatic potential is low.

Dangers of Paracetamol

Paracetamol is relatively safe and it is one of the commonly used analgesic-antipyretic agents. With therapeutic doses dangers are very rare. Side effects may include allergic skin reactions. Regular intake of large doses over a long period of time may cause kidney damage. Two or three times of the maximum therapeutic dose (actually the toxic dose) are really dangerous. It can cause serious liver damage and potentially fatal. Renal toxicity also can occur.
Normally Paracetamol is conjugated in the liver with glucuronide or sulfate and eliminated from the body. But when a toxic dose is taken these enzymes become saturated and the excess amount of Paracetamol is metabolized by cytochrome p450 system in the liver. This produces a dangerous substance known as N-acetyl-pbenzoquinone imine. But liver glutathione system can detoxify this substance. When it becomes depleted N-acetyl-pbenzoquinone imine start damaging the liver cells. In people whose cytochrome p450 system is induced like in alcoholics this condition is much more severe. Treatment for this condition is to administration of drugs those stimulate the glutathione production in the liver. But to achieve maximum effects these drugs should be administered as quickly as possible. So even though Paracetamol is a very popular drug one should always keep in mind these potentially fatal dangerous side effects.

Harvesting Cinnamon

When the seedlings attain the age of about two years and when the bark is brown in colour the main shoot is ccoppiced or cut back to a height of about 6 cm from ground level. This is repeated for every side shoot developing from the main stem so that the plant will resume the shape of a low bush and a few stems suitable for peeling would be available continuously. When the plant is coppiced, a large number of shoots will emerge but only the healthy ones are to be retained and the rest removed. While harvesting, cutting should be done in such a manner that the cut surfaces the inside of the clump.

This prompts tillering. Normally, the harvesting of the mature sticks is done following the two rainy seasons after the new flush of leaves have hardened. At this time the bark peels off easily.

However, harvesting during other parts of the year can also be done and is being practised by some planters. But under very good management conditions, harvesting could be done more than two times per year. Such a practice coupled with split application of fertilizer can help to increase the yield. While harvesting, the tops and branches are lopped off and left on the ground to be used for leaf oil distillation. The sticks are collected and carried to the peeling shed. Peeling is done with a small round knife having a point on one side for ripping. After scraping the sticks clean of the corky tissues the peeler rubs them with a brass rod to loosen the bark from the hard wood. He then draws a longitudinal slit from end to end and works the knife between the bark and the wood till he has raised it about half inch wide. The stick is then turned and another slit opposite to the former is drawn by working the knife and the bark is detached from the wood in two halves. These barks are connected one inside the other until 106.7cm long quills are made Packing has to be done with great care using the small pieces of bark and chips obtained from the unpeelable bark from twigs to fill the inside of quills. These are then air dried on rope strands indoors till they are fit for handling.

In the above process of quill making, the final job in the handling consists of pressing in the edges of the out side piece wherever necessary and trimming the ends with pair of scissors. Quills are next arranged on rope strands indoors for indoor drying . Sun drying is not recommended as high temperature wraps the quills. A well made cinnamon pipe will be of uniform thickness, colour and quality. The edges should have been neatly joined in a straight line from end to end. The ends should resemble a tight roll of paper. The whole structure should feel firm and compact under thumb pressure. Quills are tied in bundles of 45kg each for easy handling.

ANTIBODIES

Antibodies are immunoglobulin (20% of the total plasma proteins) and synthesized and secreted by the plasma cells. Antibodies have a divers group of functions in the adaptive immune response. Antibodies,

Detoxify toxins

Prevent the adherence of pathogenic organisms to mucosal surfaces.

Opsonizes

Fix complement

There are five types of antibodies. IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, IgE

Usually antibodies are made up of light and heavy protein chains. Amino terminal of the heavy and light chains make up the antigen binding site. Simplest antibody molecule has a “Y “shape.

IgG

Predominant antibody in the secondary immune response.

Can cross the placental barrier. So the most predominant antibody in the newborn.

Molecular formula is H2L2 (H- heavy chain, L- light chain)

Divalent – has two antigen binding sites.

IgM

Major antibody produced early in the primary immune response.

IgM present on all uncommitted B cell surfaces.

Molecular formula 5(H2L2)

Valancy = 10

Most efficient is agglutination, complement fixation.

IgA

Major antibody found in milk, saliva, tears, respiratory tract secretions, G.I.T. secretions and genital tract secretions.

Stop the invasion of the pathogens through the mucosal surfaces.

Molecular formula = 2(H2L2)

IgE

Fc portion has a high affinity for receptors on mast cell membrane. When an antigen binds to the Fab portion of IgE it causes degranulation of the mast cell. This initiate an acute inflammatory response.

IgD

Mainly present on the B cell surfaces

Only trace amounts in the plasma.

Marion Jones and Doping

Doping, is it ethical?

Why was Marian Jones found guilty?

Yes, because she used a certain drug (tetrahydrogestinone) to enhance her performance. Any prohibited method used to enhance the performance of a player comes under the general term DOPING.

This includes,

Usage of drugs

Blood doping

In future gene doping

Doping is considered as unethical due to two reasons,

1) Doping is harmful to the player

2) To maintain a fair play

Doping is first reported as the abuse of testosterone by the weight lifters. They suffered from many side effects. Later different anabolic steroids came into play with fewer side effects. But none of these drugs are perfect. Sometimes salbutamol can be used as a performance enhancing drug and it is also prohibited.

Blood doping is the transfusion of blood few hours before the game or increasing the red cell production by increasing the blood erythropoietin levels. This increases the hemoglobin concentration in the blood and increases the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. After blood doping players experience less fatigability.

With all these issues numbers of questions come into our mind.

Is doping ethical?

What will happen to a player if he has to use a prohibited drug for an illness?

Kaemleria galanga L.

Hinguru piyali
Family Zingiberaceae
Botanical name Kaemleria galanga L.
Common name Hinguru piyal

Botanical description
Habit-, A small herb with a with an aromatic tuberous root stock and fleshy, cylindrical root fibers which are not aromatic;
Leaves-, few, 2 spreading horizontally, lying flat on the surface of the ground 6.2-12.5 cm long 4.3-8.7 cm broad, rotund -ovate, deltoid-acuminate. Thin deep green 10-12 ribbed margins not thickened nor colored petioles short channeled;
Flowers;
Irregular, bisexual white, 6-12 from the centre of the plant between the leaves fugacious, fragrant, opening successively, bracts lancolate, green, short: calyx as long as the outer bracts short, cylindrical, splitting spathaceously; petals 3, gamopetalous corolla tube 2.5 cm long lobes equal, usually spreading lanceolate, pure white, a little shorter than the tube; lip more than 2.5 cm long and nearly as broad, deeply 2 lobed, lobes with a lilac spot at the base; stamen 1 perfect, filament short, arcuate, anther 2 celled, cells discrete on a wide connective which is produced above into a petaloid crest, lip a quadrate, 2 lobed appendage, lateral staminodes 1-1.8 cm long, cuneate -obovate , white: ovary inferior, 3 locular , ovules on three axile placentas, style long, filifom, stigma turbinate;
Fruit;
An oblong capsule with a thin pericarp, seeds subglobose with a lacerate aril.
Flowering;
the plant flowers during June and July. ( Jayaweera 1981)
Distribution; Occurs in India Malaysia, Moluccas and Philippine Islands. It is frequently cultivated in village gardens of Sri Lanka

Agronomic description
Suckers obtained from mature plants can be planted directly in field.. The spacing should be 60 cm x 60cm.Pots or large sized poly bags also can be used for planting. Sandy loam soil is ideal for cultivating Caemferia. Plants should be irrigated daily after planting.
The number of suckers can be increased by application of organic manure. This is a shade loving plant.(Ramanayake2002)
Composition
The rhizome contains a volatile oil which consists of n-pentadecane,
ethyl p-methoxycinnamate(30%), ethyl cinnamate, 1 D3 carene, Camphence, borneol and pmethoxystyrene. ( Ramanayake et al 2002)
Uses
The rhizome of this plant mixed with oil is used externally for healing of wounds and applied warm on rheumatic regions. The sliced rhizome tied is tied as a poultice which hastens suppuration of boils (fur-uncles) A lotion prepared with the rhizome is used to remove dandruff or scales from hair. It is a stimulant, carminative and diuretic. The powdered rhizome is mixed with bee honey and is given for coughs and pectoral ailments. The tubers are used in perfumery and as a masticatory. In the Philippines, a decoction of the rhizome is taken as a tonic and for dyspepsia, headache and malarial chills. It is also used as a gargle.
(Jayaweera 1981)
Potential in landscaping
Hingurupiyali can be used as a potted plant. It produces attractive white flowers with lilac centers. Horizontally spreading green leaves provide an ideal back ground for flowers.

Active learning

In the history learning was considered as a complete passive process where student sit in a lecture theatre and passively receives what the lecturer teach them. This is also called the teacher centered educational system. But with the time people realized that this is not the most efficient method of learning. After doing various research and studying about various studying methods educational specialists found out the best method of learning is the “active learning methods”.

In this method student actively participate in the learning process and becomes an active learner instead of a passive recipient of information. So to make active learning process successful the student has to engage in the learning process. Students can go to exhibitions, answer questions, brain storm ideas and discuss the subject matters.

In the last decade with the advancement of the technology the computer has taken a big place in this educational process. Earlier computer games were developed just for fun. But nowadays many learning games are developed focused on the education. This is another very good way of engaging people in active learning.

Knowledge Adventure is a leader in developing, publishing and distributing award-winning, multimedia educational software for use in both schools and homes. The company is internationally renowned for its Math Blaster®, Reading Blaster™, and JumpStart Learning System™ brands, as well as other innovative multimedia titles for students of all ages. With nearly 100 titles in a wide range of subjects, Knowledge Adventure is one of the largest educational software groups in the world. It also offers toddler learning games and adventure games.

POTENTIAL OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN LANDSCAPING

POTENTIAL OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN LANDSCAPING

Medicinal plants have a great potential as landscape materials. They not only have the potential to serve as landscape elements, but are valuable ingredients in traditional Ayurvedic Medicine. Many plants are useful as first aid material and spices for culinary purposes. The survey conducted on many types of medicinal plants demonstrates the following:-

Among the plants considered in this study Vinca roses (Carathus roseus) is excellent for bed planting and mixed borders.

Jatropha podagrica, Munronia pinnata, Murraya panniculata, , Kdeinfaernia galanga, Gynura pseudo china and Sansivieria can be used as potted ornamentals or specimen plants. Sansivieria is excellent for border planting.

Barleria pritonis and Vitax nigundu is ideal for hedges.

Wurraya koengili and Elletaria cardamomum are essential plants to be included in a home garden as spice plants. Elletaria la ideal for under planting in places where there is high shade.

Garcinea quasita can be used as a shade tree and it has attractive fruits that become red from green at ripening..

(assia.fistulata, Cassia auriculata and, Bauhinia varigata are moderate sized trees with colorful attractive flowers that can be included in any home garden or park. They are ideal for avenue planning and also for landscaping roadways..

Plactranthus zeylonicus is an excellent plant as a ground cover for shady places. It also can be used for border planting.

Costus spacious and Alpinia calcatata are both excellent for borders and hedges. They are attractive as specimen plants They can tolerate shade.

Plumbago indica with bright red flowers can be used effectively to add warm color to any landscape, besides it is also an expensive as a medicinal ingredient.

Asparagus can be used as a climber .It can be trained on pergolas, trellises, walls and roof of out door structures. It has shiny green leaves and flowers fragrant white flowers. An attractive addition to any garden.

A Reader's Toolbox

The vitamins are the agents which help absorb proteins and carbohydrates in the body. The vitamin c is a water soluble vitamin that helps absorb iron and thereby folic acid in the body. Athletes and other high performing players drink vitamin water flavors to enhance their grades in the field. The substances vitamins carry with them vitamin string quartet to fulfill the total need of vitamins in the body. The vitamin k is responsible for blood coagulation so it is given in the times of surgery to patient.

An introduction to Pepper cultivation

Peppper, popularly known as the "King of spices" is one of the earliest spices known to man and is today the largest commodity in the interna­tional spice trade. It is the most widely used spice all over the world. Black pepper of commerce is themature dried berries of the woody perennial evergreen climbing vine, Piper nigrum, a species native to the damp jungles of the Kerala coast of South Western India but now widely cultivated in the tropics of both hemispheres.
Viatnam, Brazil, India, Malayasia and Indonesia. are the important pepper producing and exporting countries. These countries provide about 90% of the total world exports of pepper. In Sri Lanka, pepper is cultivated over an area of 11600 ha mostly in the Districts of Matale, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Nuwara Eliya. It can be grown both in monoculture and as mixed crop in the coconut and tea plantations using live or dead standards as support. It is an ideal crop for home gardens where it can be trained on the existing tree species as well.

The flora of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of the hot spots of biodiversity. The flora of Sri Lanka consists of 4143 species belonging to 214 families. Out of this 75% of the population is indigenous and 25% of the species are endemic to Sri Lanka. Among the 3368 flowering species found in Sri Lanka 14% is threatened with extinction. Among the 879 endemic species found here 26% is faced with extinction. About 1500 species are being used as medicinal plants in Sri Lanka and of which about 180 species are endemic to Sri Lanka. Some of the plants used extensively in traditional medicine are listed as threatened species according to red list of threatened fauna and flora published by the World Conservation Union in 1999. Natural habitats of these medicinal plants are often forests and adjacent lands. The demand for raw

material for the Ayurvedic medicine industry in Sri Lanka has been estimated to be about 3.86 million Kg and the value is about Rs million 3867. Of this approximately 68% is supplied from local sources, (Abeywardena 2001) and .30% of the material is supplied in raw form is mainly gathered from the forests. Destructive harvesting is carried out when collecting material. (Abeywardena et al 2001) Rapid deforestation has resulted in loss of natural habitats of many of the important medicinal plants.

Sustainable use and conservation of medicinal plants in Sri Lanka has become a major issue. A project on conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants funded by the World Bank has been implemented in Sri Lanka by the ministry of Indigenous medicine in 1998. This project focuses on conservation of natural habitats of medicinal plants that are important locally as well as globally. Conservation is through cultivation of medicinal plants and establishment of medicinal plant gardens with participation of the general public. (.Marasinghe !998) .

Sri Lankan Krait (Bangarus ceylonicus)

Sri Lankan Krait (Bangarus ceylonicus)

Belongs to the family elapidae. Highly venomous territorial snake. Endemic to Sri Lanka. This specie is widely spread on the wet zone.
Widely spread in the plains and agricultural lands, plains. This species also has enlarged, hexagonal vertebral scales. Have about 20 white bands in the body. Nocturnal. Have the almost same properties in Venom of the common krait.