21
Just Chat! / How Tequila Works
« on: 09/06/2011 11:19:25 »Quote
<BTW, nice to see you round these parts again Jim!>
He hasn't been anywhere near my parts... I feel left out!
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He hasn't been anywhere near my parts... I feel left out!
22
Just Chat! / How Tequila Works
« on: 09/06/2011 09:14:04 »
Hello Jambib [:X]
Lol well tequila also has the effect of making ugly boring mean seem like Mr Perfect...
Lol well tequila also has the effect of making ugly boring mean seem like Mr Perfect...
23
Physiology & Medicine / How would it be possible to say cell phones can't cause cancer?
« on: 02/06/2011 00:37:16 »
Parsnips, celery and coffee are all possibly carcinogenic too! i.e they can cause cancer in vitro but not in vivo. This is because of the way out body processes the products in them that renders them harmless. IMO the sun is more cancer causing than mobile phones, but ppl don't stay out of it.
I suspect the announcement is more of a cover our backs thing, a review of studies which has said there is no real conclusive evidence, but because one or two studies found a possible link, it has to be cover your back time.
I suspect the announcement is more of a cover our backs thing, a review of studies which has said there is no real conclusive evidence, but because one or two studies found a possible link, it has to be cover your back time.
24
Cells, Microbes & Viruses / Does detergent have an effect on bacteria?
« on: 28/05/2011 19:19:03 »
Many cleaning products contain SDS, (sodium dodecyl sulphate), which is used in the lab to disrupt cell walls in bacteria.
It disrupts the protein structure, and breaks up the non-covalent bonds, and as such is is also used in SDS PAGE electrophoresis to separate out proteins by molecular weight and size.
So yup, washing up liquid is not a bacterium's best friend!
It disrupts the protein structure, and breaks up the non-covalent bonds, and as such is is also used in SDS PAGE electrophoresis to separate out proteins by molecular weight and size.
So yup, washing up liquid is not a bacterium's best friend!
25
Physiology & Medicine / Why does my tongue not know up from down?
« on: 26/05/2011 19:47:28 »There are essentially two types of tongues.
I believe that most people can roll their tongues essentially into a tube, like to hold a pencil.
However, a fraction of the people can't.
I did know a guy once that could wiggle his teeth with his tongue... A LOT. Perhaps all the way to the horizontal position.
Yup I am one of the few that cannot, but all my kids can! [
]However I can wiggle my ears, flare my nostrils and raise eyebrows alternately.
Wow I am such a catch.... [:-[]
26
Just Chat! / Now that’s what I call a blank expression :-o
« on: 14/05/2011 08:35:55 »Quote
We were taking about of changing a person's face to "fit in" : to avoid being stared at and rude comments, which coloured people in Europe often have to suffer. Mr Wiens's face change could knock decades off his life expectancy, and if he was paying for it, about $500,000 off his bank account. Too much risk and too much cost for what is essentially a cosmetic exercise : the functional gains seem negligible IMO and not worth the risks & cost.
No you are talking about that, and assuming the pressure came from wanting to fit in, that reasoning is far too simplistic. I am looking upon it from the patients pov, which you have over-generalised about, and are putting up quotes about how risky the op was, and future consequences. Yes the op was risky, and? Try getting inside the man's head, and imagine what it is like to have no face, and to not be able to smell, to put your hand to your face and not be able to feel a nose, your eyes, hair. Given the shocking failures in previous controversial transplants, he was well prepared, with a lot of therapy beforehand.
Functional gains are negligible, huh? Have you ever lost your sense of smell for any length of time? It is torturous and we don't realise how much we rely on it.
BTW cherry picking from news/media articles does nothing for me, I already know the risks from any non-self transplant procedure, and particularly of the immunosuppression involved.
27
Just Chat! / Now that’s what I call a blank expression :-o
« on: 14/05/2011 00:34:23 »Quote
My objection was not based on the “yuck factor”, my point was if a transplant was life saving then the risk of life threatening surgery and toxic medications would be worth taking: you'd have nothing to lose, (except your bank balance). A face transplant isn’t life saving, it’s cosmetic.
It is life changing, not cosmetic, its not like having a nose job or a chin tuck, this man had no face.
Quote
Following that principle we can eliminate racism in Europe by having coloured people bleach their skin.
Yeah because that is totally what we are talking about isn't it RD?? [
] []Quote
People shouldn’t have to risk their health so their face fits in
Agreed. But the no one should have to live a life without a face whatsoever, it is up to them.
Quote
IMO this face transplant is a matter of national prestige not patient welfare: the medical equivalent of the space/arms race.
As a scientist, from that perspective I see no problem with that, prestige/ego often drives science, and because of it some of the greatest achievements have come from it.You have to take a broader and longer view. What has been achieved and learnt from that one transplant can go on to help others.
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Just Chat! / Now that’s what I call a blank expression :-o
« on: 12/05/2011 09:05:40 »
The risk of cancer in people taking immunosuppressant drugs is higher, but not so high that it is considered a major risk factor. It depends very much on the drugs they are taking and combinations of.
The benefit to the man can be likened to women who have breast reconstruction after mastectomy, it is not that they want to look at their boobs all day, anymore than that chap wants to be able to see his face all day long. It is about how you feel as a person, sight is not the only sense, he can feel his face now, feel some sensation, shave, moisturise, and importantly he can smell, anyone who has lost their sense of smell during a cold will relate to how much you miss it when eating.
He can now accompany his daughter to the park, on days out, be there in public to listen to her sing or take part in a school play. When he cuddles her, he will be able to smell the shampoo scent in her hair, or the odour of cookies she has been munching. These are small things but huge when you miss out on them.
RD your reaction is one of being squeamish, a knee-jerk reaction to something you don't like the look of, and therefore you are trying to justify that reaction by making up scenarios that are are a possibility of ANY transplantation, not just one of the face.
Personally I think it is a great achievement, and gives hope to others who have been disfigured. We live in an unforgiving society, quick to pick up on the slightest imperfection, and stare unashamedly at people who are disfigured, like they are some kind of freak show.
The benefit to the man can be likened to women who have breast reconstruction after mastectomy, it is not that they want to look at their boobs all day, anymore than that chap wants to be able to see his face all day long. It is about how you feel as a person, sight is not the only sense, he can feel his face now, feel some sensation, shave, moisturise, and importantly he can smell, anyone who has lost their sense of smell during a cold will relate to how much you miss it when eating.
He can now accompany his daughter to the park, on days out, be there in public to listen to her sing or take part in a school play. When he cuddles her, he will be able to smell the shampoo scent in her hair, or the odour of cookies she has been munching. These are small things but huge when you miss out on them.
RD your reaction is one of being squeamish, a knee-jerk reaction to something you don't like the look of, and therefore you are trying to justify that reaction by making up scenarios that are are a possibility of ANY transplantation, not just one of the face.
Personally I think it is a great achievement, and gives hope to others who have been disfigured. We live in an unforgiving society, quick to pick up on the slightest imperfection, and stare unashamedly at people who are disfigured, like they are some kind of freak show.
29
Cells, Microbes & Viruses / Life is such a weird idea, is bacteria even weirder ?
« on: 12/05/2011 08:41:45 »
Intelligent is not quite the right word to use, as to us it means capable of thought and reasoning. Bacteria 'think' in a different way to us, as a result of their complex transcriptional networks.
Have a read of this
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quorum_sensing#Bacteria
Quorum sensing is one of the most fascinating things bacteria do, it is their way of communicating with each other and working as a unit rather than as individual cells.
They are also supremely efficient at doing what is best for them as individuals, to ensure maximum growth and multiplication. It can be a headache when you are trying to persuade them to do something else... []
Have a read of this
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quorum_sensing#Bacteria
Quorum sensing is one of the most fascinating things bacteria do, it is their way of communicating with each other and working as a unit rather than as individual cells.
They are also supremely efficient at doing what is best for them as individuals, to ensure maximum growth and multiplication. It can be a headache when you are trying to persuade them to do something else... [
]
30
Physiology & Medicine / Are organ transplants between males and females feasible?
« on: 08/05/2011 10:16:11 »
Wouldn't it depend MHC compatibility? Surely that is in-determinant of sex? Although woman are more prone to auto-immune disease but that is a side issue.
Size matching is always an issue but not determined by gender, more by age, height, build and general genetic make up.
Size matching is always an issue but not determined by gender, more by age, height, build and general genetic make up.
31
Just Chat! / Why are you so restless?
« on: 24/04/2011 23:48:57 »Did you mean head?What is on your mind?My hat! (oh, and some hair,etc) []
Is that what it's called?
<<<<< Stifles automatic rude response!!!! [
]What's on my mind? Finals.... and why my brain leaks information yet chooses to store pointless tripe!
32
Physiology & Medicine / What blood group will the child of two AB parents have?
« on: 19/04/2011 17:12:41 »
A, B or AB.
34
Just Chat! / Is it my imagination or am I feeling a little bit of angst on here?
« on: 16/04/2011 22:34:49 »OK, so I'm a sucker for a bad joke. I thought I'd look at the Argos catalogue and see what searching for "life" would get me.
The outcome was rather sillier than I had hoped for.
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/6160236/Trail/searchtext%3ELIFE.htm
See I knew someone would save me! So I just need to buy a funky little table and all will be well. [
]http://www.theonion.com/articles/im-very-interested-in-hearing-some-halfbaked-theor,11179/
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Just Chat! / Is it my imagination or am I feeling a little bit of angst on here?
« on: 16/04/2011 17:24:45 »
Sorry guys, I will try and get a life soon.... I m just not sure which Argos page they are on..!!! [:I]
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Just Chat! / Is it my imagination or am I feeling a little bit of angst on here?
« on: 15/04/2011 13:32:52 »we have all been vaccinated against the... [
But I took a course in antigenic shift along with some poxviridae friends... [
] EDIT:
(sadly it is prob only Chris that will get that, I need a life) [
]37
Physiology & Medicine / What causes cold urticaria?
« on: 15/04/2011 11:48:16 »
Arggghhh don't mention it!
<<<itches feet furiously!!!!
I get it a lot, but my feet or hands don't even need to be particularly cold, just walking about without slippers on, on a mild day like today can cause it.
I am asthmatic and I get eczema too so I have a system well primed to produce histamine!
Interestingly, the biochem of what causes the reaction is known, histamine release,increased permeability of capillaries,migration of fluid into surrounding tissues causing the swelling and shape of hives and itching, but it seems the reason behind why it triggers histamine release is unclear.
I might have a mooch on pubmed later see if I can turn anything up...
<<<itches feet furiously!!!!
I get it a lot, but my feet or hands don't even need to be particularly cold, just walking about without slippers on, on a mild day like today can cause it.
I am asthmatic and I get eczema too so I have a system well primed to produce histamine!
Interestingly, the biochem of what causes the reaction is known, histamine release,increased permeability of capillaries,migration of fluid into surrounding tissues causing the swelling and shape of hives and itching, but it seems the reason behind why it triggers histamine release is unclear.
I might have a mooch on pubmed later see if I can turn anything up...
38
Just Chat! / Is it my imagination or am I feeling a little bit of angst on here?
« on: 15/04/2011 11:31:15 »
Angst is a natural part of any forum, people don't agree and don't always choose the best way to express it.
I think most on here are pretty immune to it now. I know I am []
I think most on here are pretty immune to it now. I know I am [
]
39
Just Chat! / What am I thinking?
« on: 13/04/2011 16:33:12 »run for cover - the pox is back
There is no escape.... resistance is useless...
40
Just Chat! / What am I thinking?
« on: 13/04/2011 08:49:41 »
I don't know what you were thinking.... but now you are thinking.... "Bloody hell...it's 'er again!"