Breast cancer genes to aid women

Breast cancer patients could be spared unnecessary and lengthy treatment, according to new findings by researchers.

Two genes that can identify which cells will respond to a common chemotherapy drug and which will not have been revealed by Aberdeen University staff.

It is hoped the findings will help develop more tailored treatments.

More than 44,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK and 80% of all cases occur in over-50s.

The research team said they looked for a specific genetic make-up in breast cancer cells that did not respond to the chemotherapy drug docetaxel.

The course is one of the most effective methods of battling the cancer, but does not work for some patients.

The findings involved the study of breast cancer cells grown in the laboratory.

'Simple test'

They will now investigate whether the genes they identified behave the same way in patients.

Aberdeen University's Dr Andy Schofield, one of the researchers, said many women are suffering side effects for no benefit at all.

He said: "For the first time we have found two genes that identify which breast cancer cells respond to chemotherapy and which do not respond.

"We hope that in the future this will mean that before we treat patients with breast cancer with docetaxel, we can predict whether the drug will work or not, using a very simple test."

'Practical benefits'

Rachel Rawson, of Breast Cancer Care, said: "We are still a long way from fully understanding the complex role that genetics plays in the treatment of breast cancer, and how this interacts with or is mediated by other factors.

"Breast Cancer Care welcomes any research that furthers our knowledge in this area.

"However this is initial research that has only been tested in a laboratory setting. Further studies are needed to fully determine how these findings can be translated into the clinical setting and offer practical benefits for people with breast cancer."

Most British women are unaware that breast cancer risk increases with age, a recent poll suggested.

A survey of 1,000 people by charity Breast Cancer Care found nearly six out of 10 women did not know getting older was a strong risk factor.

Experts said many young women can worry unnecessarily while older women do not realise they are at risk.

10 Great Habits

1. Do Not Interfere In Others' Business Unless Asked

Most of us create our own problems by interfering too often in others' affairs. We do so because somehow we have convinced ourselves that our way is the best way, our logic is the perfect logic and those who do not conform to our thinking must be criticized and steered to the right direction, our direction.

This thinking denies the existence of individuality and consequently the existence of God. God has created each one of us in a unique way. No two human beings can think or act in exactly the same way.

All men or women act the way they do because God within them prompts them that way. There is God to look after everything. Why are you bothered? Mind your own business and you will keep your peace.

2. Forgive And Forget

This is the most powerful aid to peace of mind. We often develop ill feelings inside our heart for the person who insults us or harms us. We nurture grievances. This in turn results in loss of sleep, development of stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure. This insult or injury was done once, but nourishing of grievance goes on forever by constantly remembering it.

Get over this bad habit. Believe in the justice of God and the doctrine of Karma. Let Him judge the act of the one who insulted you. Life is too short to waste in such trifles. Forgive, Forget, and march on. Love flourishes in giving and forgiving.

3. Do Not Crave For Recognition

This world is full of selfish people. They seldom praise anybody without selfish motives. They may praise you today because you are in power, but no sooner than you are powerless, they will forget your achievement and will start finding faults in you.

Why do you wish to kill yourself in striving for their recognition? Their recognition is not worth the aggravation. Do your duties ethically and sincerely and leave therest to God.

4. Do Not Be Jealous

We all have experienced how jealousy can disturb our peace of mind. You know that you work harder than your colleagues in the office, but sometimes they get promotions; you do not.

You started a business several years ago, but you are not as successful as your neighbor whose business is only one year old. There are several examples like these in everyday life. Should you be jealous?

No. Remember everybody's life is shaped by his or her previous Karma, which has now become his destiny. If you are destined to be rich, nothing in the world can stop you. If you are not so destined, no one can help you either.

Nothing will be gained by blaming others for your misfortune. Jealousy will not get you anywhere; it will only take away your peace of mind.

5. Change Yourself According To The Environment

If you try to change the environment single-handedly, the chances are you will fail. Instead, change yourself to suit your environment.

As you do this, even the environment, which has beenunfriendly to you, will mysteriously change and seem congenial and harmonious.

6. Endure What Cannot Be Cured

This is the best way to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. Every day we face numerous inconveniences, ailments, irritations, and accidents that are beyond our control. If we cannot control them or change them, we must learn to put up with these things.

We must learn to endure them cheerfully thinking, "God wills it so, so be it."

God's plan is beyond our comprehension. Believe in it and you will gain in terms of patience, inner strength and will power.

7. Do Not Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

This maxim needs to be remembered constantly. We often tend to take more responsibilities than we are capable of carrying out. This is done to satisfy our ego. Know your limitations. Why take on additional loads that may create more worries?

You cannot gain peace of mind by expanding your external activities. Reduce your material engagements and spend time in prayer, introspection and meditation. This will reduce those thoughts in your mind that make you restless. Uncluttered mind will produce greater peace of mind.

8. Meditate Regularly

Meditation calms the mind and gets rid of disturbing thoughts. This is the highest state of peace of mind. Try and experience it yourself.

If you meditate earnestly for half an hour everyday, your mind will tend to become peaceful during the remaining twenty-three and half-hours. Your mind will not be easily disturbed as it was before.

You would benefit by gradually increasing the period of daily mediation. You may think that this will interfere with your daily work. On the contrary, this will increase your efficiency and you will be able to produce better results in less time.

9. Never Leave The Mind Vacant

An empty mind is the devil's workshop. All evil actions start in the vacant mind. Keep your mind occupied in something positive, something worthwhile.

Actively follow a hobby. Do something that holds your interest. You must decide what you value more: money or peace of mind.

Your hobby, like social work or temple work, may not always earn you more money, but you will have a sense of fulfillment and achievement. Even when you are resting physically, occupy yourself in healthy reading or mental chanting of God's name.

10. Do Not Procrastinate And Never Regret

Do not waste time in protracted wondering " Should I or shouldn't I?" Days, weeks, months, and years may be wasted in that futile mental debating.

You can never plan enough because you can never anticipate all future happenings. Always remember, God has His own plan, too for you. Value you time and do the things that need to be done. It does not matter if you fail the first time. You can learn from your mistakes and succeed the next time. Sitting back and worrying will lead to nothing.

Learn from your mistakes, but do not brood over the past. DO NOT REGRET. Whatever happened was destined to happen only that way. Take it as the Will of God. You do not have the power to alter the course of God's Will. Why cry over spilt milk

World's Highest Bridge

This Cable-Stayed Bridge Project is on schedule to be completed January 2005. (39 month construction contract). This project is being financed privately. This project has the highest bridge piers in world. Thus the title of the Highest Bridge in the World. The tallest will be 240 meters high. Overall height an outstanding 336.4 meters. This project will consist of seven separate cable-stays.

Bridges are often considered to belong to the engineer's realm rather than the architect's. But the architecture of infrastructure has a powerful impact on the environment. The Millau Viaduct, designed in collaboration with engineers, illustrates how the architect can play an integral role in bridge design.

Located in southern France, the bridge will connect the motorway from Paris to Barcelona at the point where it is interrupted by the River Tarn, which runs through a wide gorge between two plateaus. A reading of the topography suggested two possible approaches: to cross the river, the geological generator of the landscape; or there was the challenge of spanning the 2.5 kilometers from one plateau to the other in the most economical manner.

The structural solution follows from the latter philosophical standpoint. The bridge has the optimum span between cable-stayed columns. It is delicate, transparent, and uses the minimum material, which makes it less costly to construct. Each of its sections spans 350 meters and its columns range in height from 75 meters to 235 meters - higher than the Eiffel Tower - with the masts rising a further 90 meters above the road deck. To accommodate the expansion and contraction of the concrete deck, each column splits into two thinner, more flexible columns below the roadway, forming an A-frame above deck level. This structure creates a dramatic silhouette - and crucially it makes the minimum intervention in the landscape.


Construction Date: 2001
Completion Date: 2005
Statistics: Length: 2.5 km
Height: 280 m

Get More Omega 3 From Catfish

KOTA BAHARU, Sept 4 (Bernama) -- If you are among those who love freshwater fish dishes, then a catfish cooking may be one of the favourites in your daily menu.

Now in the market, there is a type of catfish named 'Omega 3 catfish' that has higher content of the Omega 3 fatty acid as compared to the other catfish variety.

According to the operations manager of the fisheries graduates group, Nik Mohd Firdaus Nik Daud, the Omega 3 content of Omega 3 catfish is about 2.3-2.5 percent as compared to only 0.02 percent in the other catfish breeds.

"The Omega 3 catfish is different as we formulated ourselves its feed by using a special mix of fish feed, starch pellets, soya bean, fish oil and a mix of minerals, vitamins and palm oil," he told BERNAMA here recently.

Nik Mohd Firdaus said the group collaborates with the Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) in conducting research to improve the quality of Omega 3 catfish.

This catfish is reared at the fish breeding centre in Bukit Belah, Machang near here.

FATTY ACID

The Omega 3 catfish has a high concentration of Omega 3 fatty acid that comes from phytoplankton.

Nik Mohd Firdaus said the Omega 3 fatty acid can also be found in walnut oil, marine plankton and high-fat content fish.

"Omega 3 fatty acid can reduce the risk of contracting cancer and heart problems. The fish oil in Omega 3 catfish reduces heart fibrillations," he said.

"Hence, this fatty acid can reduces the possibility of heart attacks by reducing the blood cholesterol content and blood clots," Nik Mohd Firdaus said.

Apart from that, the Omega 3 catfish is good for brain and child growth due to its DHA content.

"The human brain needs more than 20 gm of DHA. A low DHA level means a low serotonin level and this can cause emotional stress," said Nik Mohd Firdaus.

CANVAS PONDS

The Omega 3 catfish is reared in canvas ponds, a new method formulated by the group with assistance from the Kelantan Fisheries Department.

This breeding concept, which entails easy handling with low costs, is capable of providing good income for aquaculture farmers. Kelantan is the pioneer for this fish-breeding method and the Omega 3 catfish is the first aquaculture product to be produced via this technology.

Via this method, only 90 days are needed for the fish to be harvested and ready for the market.

The wholesale price of Omega 3 catfish is RM3 a kg. It retails at RM6 a kg. The Omega 3 catfish also appears in the market in the form of meat floss and fish balls.

-- BERNAMA

Stop Snoring Treatment Tips

By David Richards

If like me you sound like a bear growling a cave when your asleep, then you will no that snoring has a big impact on life. Regardless of the health issues (which are significant) , snoring can play havoc with your relationship.

If you are at you wits end with being woken up every hour either to the sound of your own snoring, or being dug in the back and told to "Roll Over"; or if you are the long suffering sufferer of a snorer, then read over these five tips to snoring treatment.

SNORING TREATMENT TIP 1.

Take a look at your diet. Although this probably won't be the complete snoring treatment answer, it is worth starting with what you're eating and drinking. You could well have intolerance to certain foods which affects your breathing, especially when lying on you back. For example, too much (or an intolerance to) dairy produce is likely to cause you to become blocked up with mucus, when horizontal, this collects causing heavy breathing and snoring. Alcohol is another common offender.

SNORING TREATMENT TIP 2.

Being overweight is another significant contributor. Excess weight in the neck and chest puts pressure on the breathing passage.

SNORING TREATMENT TIP 3

Sleep on you side or front. Now this is easier said than done, because it's hard to control your sleeping position when you are asleep! However, there is an old trick that may be worth considering. You could sow a walnut, table tennis ball or similar size object into the back of a shirt and wear that in bed. Each time you roll on your back it will dig into you, causing you to roll back again providing you don't take your shirt of in your sleep.

SNORING TREATMENT TIP 4

Use nasal strips. I found these to be very helpful, at least to start with. Nasal strips (often used by athletes) open the air passage for you, thus removing or preventing blockages. If your desperate it's worth a try, but the cost can add up over the days, months and years.

SNORING TREATMENT TIP 5

I've saved the best until last. Exercising the muscles in your throat, tongue and doing breathing exercises can completely cure your snoring. It worked for me and I know it can for you.