Share Market Business News and Review: January 2009

Jan 31, 2009

[sudhersana] My Top Droppers !!!

I would like to thank my top droppers on my blog this month. Here is the list of top 10 droppers on my blog.
My second trial 19 drops
Lights Camera Action 18 drops
Confessions of a Fitness Diva 14 drops
Limitless Adventure 13 drops
RagingRev 13 drops
Janet @ Favorite Online Shops 13 drops
Computer and Net.com 13 drops
(Formerly YourPCInfo.co.cc)
Positive Real Estate Professionals 12 drops
Kids Of Queers 12 drops
earth to holly 12 drops
Thank you so much all for dropping your cards on my blog; hope you continue to drop this month also. Love all your blogs cheers :)

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Posted By Sudha to sudhersana at 1/31/2009 11:10:00 PM

[Make Money Online] My Google Adsense Check - 1st Payment

I started putting Google Adsense Ads in my three (3) blogs during the month of November and my earning back then was not that good. I actually reached my first $100 earning in the 1st week of December.

To make the long story short, I got a message on January 15 from Google Adsense that my check is being processed.

"You can see in your AdSense accont that your check is already being processed. By early next week, you'll also be able to see atracking number in the payment details of this payment, which you can track at www.dhl.com."

After a couple of days, I received my check through DHL (Secure Express Delivery) on January 27 and I shouted for joy! LOL

Here's the proof of payment:

I deposited the check the day that I received the check to the bank and I have to wait for 5 days for clearing purpose. Now I am pretty excited! Ha Ha

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Posted By Bhing to Make Money Online at 1/31/2009 09:44:00 PM

[sudhersana] TH's Giveaway Win A Purple Flip Flop Necklace !!!

There is an amazing giveaway going on in Thereishappiness TH's blog. Guess what ?? It is an amazing cute purple flip flop necklace and not only that you can win a colourful floss clothing as a bonus. Wow sounds great isn't it ??. It is very easy to enter the contest. Here are the ways to participate in the contest.
Subscribed to There is Happiness by email. (1 entry)
Blog about this giveaway at your blog and link back to this post. (4 entries)
Make a 125×125 banner link to this post. (4 entries)
Add There is Happiness to your blogroll. (1 entry)
Add Twins Happiness to your blogroll (1 entry)
Twitter the giveaway (1 entry)
The contest ends on 14th February 2009.
For more details you may visit Thereishappiness.

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Posted By Sudha to sudhersana at 1/31/2009 10:07:00 PM

[TwilightNera's Entertainment Hotspot] Howie Do It teaches us people will put...

Howie Mendel's new candid camera show how we do it is really funny. I watch it and I really like it. What I can't understand is why people put up with everything! Here watch for yourself:

He's done a lot of really good skits his show comes on Friday's at 8'9central.

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Posted By Nina to TwilightNera's Entertainment Hotspot at 1/31/2009 10:26:00 AM

[The Wonderful Demise of Benjamin Arnold Guppy] An Interview with Pat Guppy -...

'An Interview with Pat Guppy' for 'Her Ladyshipness Magazine'
Questions posed by Hyacinth Bootley-Smythe

Q: If you aren't able to persuade the postmaster to allow for the mixing of your husband's ashes with the postal ink, and have to fall back on having commemorative stamps produced, do you have any ideas for the design?

A: Well, in actual fact I've had designers working on the project for a couple of weeks now, just in case my numerous influential contacts aren't able to inspire a change of heart in the postmaster. A couple of very close, and highly powerful, friends within the local council managed to draw the necessary funds from a homeless shelter programme, and we do have a finished stamp which, regardless of the outcome regarding the ink, could go into circulation very soon.

Q: And the image used will be one of your dear Benjamin?

A: Heavens, no. Ben wouldn't want to see his own features travelling through the postal system when he looks down from heaven. No, he'd want to see mine. He often said that no matter how long he spent staring at my face, he was still agog at the good Lord's handiwork. I took his breath away, and others have commented that they find it hard to breathe around me also. In fact, I was speaking to the TV people just last week, and they told me that my face was so overwhelming that they thought it best I stick with doing interviews on the radio, so what do you think about that?!

Q: You're going to be doing radio interviews? When can we expect those to go on air?

A: I've been told that I'll hear something very soon, but I am unaware of the date for airing. They have my schedule, so they know I can't manage Tuesdays and Fridays, as those are the days I am on-call for the Palace.

Q: How do you feel about being thrust into the public limelight?

A: Well, being famous is hardly anything new for me. You have to understand that I have been beloved by the masses ever since I could talk, so I am perfectly familiar with the duties associated with stardom. I have chaired at least six committees during the past two decades, and at least one of those was so influential in the local area that comments regarding the refreshments served at the Annual General Meeting were published within the Sea View Mercurial. The local press love me, as I am so terribly photogenic and I have a very good interview voice. They can always count on me to have my hair set and dried before I make any comment. I do feel that people can tell, when they read your comments in the paper, if you've made an effort to look your best.

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Posted By Gina Collia-Suzuki to The Wonderful Demise of Benjamin Arnold Guppy on 1/31/2009 05:38:00 PM

[TwilightNera's Entertainment Hotspot] Joaquin Pheonix A Rapper? Just a Hoax!

When I posted the story of his "debut"
I was positive this was a joke no matter what he said and I feel good that I was right. However, he still looks like a complete idiot so what's the point? According to Entertainment Weekly the rapper thing is just a hoax.

"[Joaquin] said, 'It's a put-on. I'm going to pretend to have a meltdown and change careers, and Casey [Affleck] is going to film it.'"It's an art project for him. He's going full out. He probably has told his reps that he's quit acting. Joaquin is very smart. This is very conscious. He has a huge degree of control."

Ok but again really what is the point in this?

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Posted By Nina to TwilightNera's Entertainment Hotspot at 1/31/2009 10:01:00 AM

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Posted By Sudha to sudhersana at 1/31/2009 09:51:00 AM

[All Things Considered] The value of knowledge

I started a Japanese print blog last year. It had been up and running for about a week when the emails began arriving. The emails were from people who'd come across me whilst Googling for information to aid in the identification of their family heirlooms. This uncle (who'd roved around Asia before/during/after WWII) had given that print to what's-his-name, and he'd handed it down to Aunt Maud... she knew nothing about prints but marked it 'rare and priceless' and left it to the writer of the email in her will. The writer then took it into his head to write to me as, having written a book on the subject, I am now required, apparently, to assist every Tom, Dick or Harriet, without payment and in a timely manner, in the identification and valuation of their valuables. Anyway, I added a little notice to my Japanese print blog and my web site... no free valuations, authentications, or identifications. It has had no effect whatsoever.

When I was an antiques dealer I had the same problem. People would approach me at a fair and shove a print under my nose, tell me to tell them what it was, demand its value, and then promptly shove off after they'd raped my knowledge banks, without so much as a please or thank you. Would they pop into a local garage and tell (you notice I didn't say 'ask') the mechanic to give their run-around a full service without offering payment? No, because the mechanic is going to have to carry out some 'work' and his efforts are considered worthy of remuneration - time is money and all that. If you're an art historian, historian, or any other individual who deals in knowledge, you obviously don't 'work' and therefore deserve no such consideration.

I received an email this morning which didn't simply want me to provide some fool-proof method for authenticating 18th century Japanese prints to someone who knows not one jot about them (well, two decades of research can be written on the back of a postage stamp after all); I was also required to suggest colours for the picture frames they'd be mounted in once authenticated. I cannot even imagine what is fermenting inside a person's mind when they write and send an email like that.

My absolute favourite to date came from an American chap who wrote to me twice. His first email 'offered' me the opportunity to authenticate his Utamaro paintings and to suggest collectors who would purchase them from him (avoiding the seller's premium he'd have to pay to an auction house). When I didn't respond (well, I was so grateful that I fell into a swoon), he accused me of casting aspertions with regards to his character and wrote at length about the British Museum being highly uncooperative. I do not work for the British Museum, by the way. Strangely, most British do not. After telling me how rude and unhelpful I was (along with everyone else at the BM), he 'offered' me the opportunity to mend my wicked ways, pointing out that it was my final chance to take him up on his wondrous offer.

I think I can see why some expect help. To anyone who is not in the habit of studying anything, the process is foreign. Knowledge isn't acquired over the course of years... it turns up in a brain one day, after the owner of that organ has expended no effort at all. Why shouldn't they give it away freely when they acquired it so easily? You can't pluck it out and sell it, you can't see it, taste it, or paper a wall with it. The fact that it is the foundation upon which human civilisation rests is beside the point.

So, now that we know that knowledge is worthless, what about time. Even if the knowledge fairy did plonk all of this information into my head whilst I ate a bowl of Fruit Loops, isn't my time valuable? Well, no. You see, an email arrives in an instant... so how long could it have taken to write? All I have to do is press the 'send' button and the information is on its way. No fuss, no muss. Informing a person at an antiques fair that 'your print is a Hiroshige and is worth two thousand pounds' takes however long it takes to utter those words... about four seconds I think. Four seconds to impart knowledge that was implanted whilst I ate breakfast one day.

Knowledge is worthless and takes no time to pass on. So what on earth am I complaining about?

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Posted By Gina Collia-Suzuki to All Things Considered on 1/31/2009 01:19:00 PM

506 TicoPost

Curu Wildlife Refuge

Posted: 30 Jan 2009 09:48 PM CST

curu2 Curu, in the Nicoya penininsula, is one of those places on earth where you can be certain to see enough wildlife to satisfy your need and curiosity, it's a real little paradise of eco-tourism. It was established in 1933 by Frederico Schutt the family still owns it today. In order to protect this little heaven, they turned to the government for help and the place became a protected forest in 1981, and in 1983 it became the Curu National Wildlife Refuge. It is very easy to get to, some 6 km after Paquera or 16kms before Tambor.

Despite its small size, this lovely refuge offers everything any traveler can dream of seeing in this country, with its amazing marine and terrestrial marine biodiversity. Out of its 1496 hectares, only 75 hectares is protected and forms the actual refuge, the rest is used for sustainable agriculture, although what is called low-impact agriculture can be seen in the zone itself. There is a large beach area of some 200meters as well as mangroves estuaries and rivers.

Macaw The refuge is home to raccoons, coyotes, pacas, opossums, as well as various types of monkeys, the howler and the capuchin being the most common, coatis, peccari, anteaters, and otters. Even more exciting but not so easy to see, there are ocelots, pumas and margay cats! This small reserve has it all!

It is relatively easy to spot the boa constrictor, if you are quiet enough, as these animals usually hide when they hear humans approaching…Birds are of course numerous, as always in Costa Rica, up to 232 species have been counted so far, remarkable considering the size of the place; you may see a broad-winged hawk, a laughing falcon, and lots of cattle egrets, these beautiful white birds that are always following the cows…The red macaws have been successfully reintroduced in the area and are doing pretty well.

After following one of the trails, you will suddenly see a large cage! Do not be alarmed; this cage itself is like a refuge for the sick or very old animals that would not survive otherwise.

On the beach another wonderful surprise awaits you; sea turtles, like the green turtle, the ridley and the hawksbill, come frequently to lay their eggs. In order to help increase marine life, experts built some artificial reefs, and it seems to be a real success. Swimming is delicious in the bay, so a swimsuit and a mask for snorkeling are a must during your visit!

The mangrove of course is home to many species of plants and animals, as is usually the case, and this small reserve encompasses the five species of mangrove found in this country, amazingly so.

As you go up in the hills, you will find what is left of some primary forest, but they are inaccessible to the tourists. Curu, however, has a multitude of trails to choose from, and they range from very easy to very difficult, in fact some of them can only be done in the dry season. The Laguna, the Toledo, the Finca, the Monos and the Ceiba are some of the easiest ones to do. Most trails represent a specific habitat, like a theme, and the whole place is almost like life-size museum!

Jan 30, 2009

[TwilightNera's Entertainment Hotspot] Jessica Simpson's Weight Gossip

I think it so ridiculous when blog writers and paparazzi go after full figured women. They really shouldn't be talking about any ones weight because in the scheme of things as long as their healthy who cares?

The Internet has been over flowed with mean, negative comments about Jessica Simpson's full figured body. Some pictures have been released of her at an annual chili cook off in Florida.I think it's absolutely stupid! I've never been a big fan of hers but I think it's silly to go after this women's weight and hurt her feelings. She's a beautiful girl with a healthy body. A size 2 isn't the only size in the world you know, we don't have to all strive for that. Other celebrities came to her aid as well. Her sister Ashlee had a lot to say and she was right about all of it:"I am completely disgusted by the headlines concerning my sister's weight. Since when did a woman's weight become newsworthy?A week after the inauguration and with such a feeling of hope in the air for our country, I find it completely embarrassing and belittling to all women to read about a woman's weight or figure.All women come in different shapes, sizes, and forms and just because you're a celebrity, there shouldn't be a different standard. How can we expect teenage girls to love and respect themselves in an environment where we criticize a size 2 figure? Now can we focus on the things that really matter."

Full figured model Kim Kardashian had some short words to say too:"I get that she does look curvier, but to me, there's nothing wrong it.It doesn't really bother me anymore. I love curves. Being super skinny just isn't attractive to me. When I saw that picture, I knew everyone was going to say something. And I thought, 'You know what? Leave Jessica alone!' She's fabulous, she's a really sweet girl, and I admire her for putting up with it.

I was surprised by this, even her Ex-husband Nick Lachey who never talks about her defended her with a dead on statement: "I wish her nothing but the best and I hope she's happy – whatever size that comes in.I can't believe it's this big of a story and people are making such a huge deal about it. I'll never cease to be amazed by people's reactions to things."

I think full figured women like beyonce, Tyra Banks and Oprah are beautiful and now Jessica gets to join that divalicious list. In short STOP HATIN'!

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Posted By Nina to TwilightNera's Entertainment Hotspot at 1/30/2009 12:20:00 PM

[TwilightNera's Entertainment Hotspot] Kelly Rowland Leaves from Beyonce's ma...

Sorry there hasn't been any updates all week, I've been very sick again and just starting to feel better. Thanks for always reading and here is some new material!

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It just seems like through the years there has been a lot of problems with Beyonce's dad managing people. The reason why the original Destiny's Child broke up was because the two girls felt the father was miss managing them. A few years ago he was accused of mismanagement from some people and now someone he has managed for years is letting him go? It just seems like he's not the best manager and something is going on.

Kelly Rowland of Destiny's Child who's been a client of Beyonce's father since her Destiny's Child years has let her manager go on Wednesday. Kelly says she will always be family but it's time to move on and the split was amicable.

Matthew Knowles still manages Beyonce's career who has flourished. Kelly's career however has not been able to match her Destiny's Child career success. She did not say who her new manager will be.

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Posted By Nina to TwilightNera's Entertainment Hotspot at 1/30/2009 11:04:00 AM

A Short Thought

We do not have to keep ourselves stymied and trapped out of fear of making a mistake or failing. Naturally, we will make mistakes and fail from time to time. That is part of being fully alive.
There are no guarantees. If we are waiting for guaranteed courses of action, we may spend much of our life waiting."
Melody Beattie

If you would prefer not to receive this newsletter in the future, please , reply with the word "Unsubscribe" in the Subject line of your email.

[Floating Along...] Beautiful Blackened Smiles - Ohaguro

I am fascinated by all things dental (yes, I know that's a little unusual). Keeping that in mind, it shouldn't come as any surprise that I keep an eye out for Japanese woodblock prints which depict some aspect of the dental hygiene/beautification process.

This print is one from an untitled group of designs by Utamaro, published around 1795. It shows a young woman seated on the ground, holding a black lacquered hand mirror and applying lip rouge with the aid of a brush. She is set against a vibrant yellow background and her form is rendered by a series of dramatically sweeping lines. The composition is wonderfully uncluttered - there is nothing in the design which does not belong to the beautification process. If you look at the image below, which provides a close-up of her face, you will see that she has black teeth, and the image below that one provides a close-up of the paraphernalia she has been using to apply the dye needed to provide that black lacquered coating.

Ohaguro, or teeth blackening, was a common practise amongst married women, with the dye being applied for the first time just before a young bride entered her husband's home. It was also practised within the Yoshiwara, where a young kamuro (apprentice) who was about to come of age and accept her first customer would collect the ingredients from seven friends and dye her teeth for the first time, just as the soon-to-be bride would collect the ingredients from friends and family before her wedding.

The large round container, half of which is visible on the right-hand side of the composition, is called a mimidarai, and sitting on top of that container is a thin tray, or watashigane. On top of the tray is the kanewan, the bowl in which the dye is mixed. On the ground to the left of the mimidarai, the brush which has been used to apply the dye to the young woman's teeth is resting atop a porcelain bowl, and to the left of the bowl is a small box of fushi powder.

Fushi powder was made from the gallnuts of the Japanese sumac tree, and the combination of this powder and kanemizu, which was made by fermenting iron filings in an acidic mixture of tea, vinegar and rice wine, produced a black dye which could be applied to the teeth. Once dry, it provided a rich lacquer coating. Unfortunately, it faded quickly and the process had to be repeated regularly to maintain a beautiful set of blackened teeth, so no respectable woman who cared about her appearance would go more than three days without applying the dye again.

The process was labour intensive and the dye was foul-smelling. In order to provide a key, so that the surface of the teeth would hold the dye well, the rind of a pomegranate, or something similar, would be rubbed across the teeth prior to reapplying the dye. The practise gradually died out after it was banned by the Japanese government on February 5, 1870.

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Posted By Gina Collia-Suzuki to Floating Along... on 1/30/2009 07:25:00 AM

[Floating Along...] Beautiful Blackened Smiles - Ohaguro

This print is one from an untitled group of designs by Utamaro, published around 1795. It shows a young woman seated on the ground, holding a black lacquered hand mirror and applying lip rouge with the aid of a brush. Her form is rendered by a series of dramatically sweeping lines, and the composition is uncluttered; there is nothing in the design which does not belong to the beautification process. If you look at the image below, which provides a close-up of her face, you will see that she has black teeth, and the image below that provides a close-up of the paraphernalia she has been using to apply the dye needed to provide that black lacquered coating.

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Posted By Gina Collia-Suzuki to Floating Along... on 1/30/2009 07:25:00 AM

506 TicoPost

Papagayo Hotels

Posted: 30 Jan 2009 01:06 AM CST

Hotel Occidental Papagayo, Allegro Resort.

On the northern part of Guanacaste, on the Pacific Coast and very close to Nicaragua, there is an area called Papagayo, where you can find Salinas Bay. It is particular good for wind surfing, it is indeed the only area of the country where this sport is practiced, on the sea! The other place to do it is on the lake Arenal.

The hotel Allegro Papagayo can be found in Manzanillo beach. This part of the country has seen the rise of a couple of huge hotels, of which the Four Seasons, but it has still managed to otherwise stay pretty wild, and actually, the beaches are fantastic there; this is really an area of natural beauty, and peace. The beaches all have this impeccable horseshoe shape one always like to see, the sand is fine and white, and the color of the sea varies from light blue to turquoise to deep marine blue. The climate is always perfect, and it is rarely crowded. There are many tours and day trip to do around the area; The Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, and the Santa Rosa National Park, or even a trip to Granada in Nicaragua. It is incredibly idealistic and pristine; it is truly the perfect choice for those who like a natural beach, full of wild life and wonders of nature. And needless to say, it is the best place to go to if you want to do some windsurfing! It is no more than 25 minutes away from the Daniel Oduber Liberia Airport.

The beautiful Allegro Papagayo Costa Rica consists of 300 rooms distributed in 14 buildings; 6 buildings have 26 rooms and the other 8 buildings have18 rooms, spread along a hillside. All rooms are decorated with elegance and comfort; they are furnished with one king size bed or two double beds. They have air conditioning, private bathroom equipped with hair dryers, direct dial phone, electronic safety deposits box and satellite TV. The hotel also features a beautiful pool, a solarium, a sightseeing spot, 24-hour medical service, laundry, and tour desk information, a baby sitting service and rent a car. As if this was not already enough, the Occidental Fun Club has organized various fun activities for your enjoyment, such as Volley Ball, hiking, archery, gym, children's activities, and for your entertainment, daily night shows. The two main restaurants serve cordon bleu international food, Mexican food and they are very, very good good. Snack bars will also prepare snacks and sandwiches on order, or food to take away for day trips. You can choose from a la carte lunch and dinner or if you prefer, you may have the buffet. The hotel also counts with a couple of bars, and a disco opened until 2 am.

Rates vary according to season, ranging from $180.00 in the rainy season for a single, to $101.00 for a triple, and $346.00 for a single in the high season to $215.33 for a triple. Children under 2 years of age are free and from May to Dec, children up to 12 are free, in other times they pay between $62.00 and $85.00.

[Riz's Martial Arts Training] The Heart of Karate-Do

(Original release titled "The Way of Karate: Beyond Technique")

I first read this book many years back and I have to say, it has remained one of my favourite guides to Karate to date. The author, Shigeru Egami, studied Karate under Gichin Funokoshi (yes, as in the founder of modern Karate) and following Funokoshi's death went on to found the Shotokai style of Karate, which he believed to be a truer system; more loyal to Funokoshi's original system (which had become diluted through competition).

I'll admit right now, that I've had a very limited amount of training in the Shotokai style. However, from the 12 hours of training (that is, attending three classes at two different clubs and a six hour advanced seminar) that I could bear I've come to the conclusion that the Shotokai system (at least the version I witnessed) is the worst bastardization of Karate currently known to man.

And I do genuinely feel really bad saying that because I really do love Egami's book, The Heart of Karate-Do. Strangely enough, I also feel that the Shotokai classes I attended seemed to ignore much of what's written in Egami's book (but at the same time, many of my friends have reported similar issues to my own when moonlighting at other Shotokai clubs). Regardless of my truly horrendous experience with Shotokai, this book affirms that not all Shotokai is without worth.

Aimed slightly more towards Beginner-Intermediate level students, The Heart of Karate-Do is wonderfully written; Egami not only takes the reader through many Karate basics but he articulately expresses his beliefs and rationales in regard to the art. Be warned though, Egami was a spiritual man who carried lifelong repentance – there are some references to ki and personal harmony (personally, this doesn't bother me at all but I know such references do cause some to burst into flames… metaphorically speaking of course). As well as his Ueshiba-like esotericism, there is also some wonderfully poetic rationale to his Karate:

"Animals are not muscle-bound; why should a man be? Pliancy and flexibility are natural characteristics of the human body; rigidity is the mark of death."

The book includes a myriad of warm-up exercises and stretches (which was fairly unique at the time of its release) before proceeding to information regarding stances and offensive/defensive techniques.

If you're looking for some of the lesser used techniques in Karate, this probably isn't the book for you (try Oyama's 'Essential Karate') however this book does have a surprisingly vast collection of Kicking Techniques. Egami pays a lot of attention to developing a strong, supple body – reflecting this; he provides a wealth of high and jumping kicking techniques that wouldn't be out of place in Korean or Northern Shoalin Kung Fu systems.

Furthermore, the descriptions are easily understood and the photos (of which there is an ample amount) are clear and well shot. The Revised Edition uses brand new photos, which have been criticised for the new demonstrators not being able to match up with those from the original release. Personally, I own both editions (greedy, I know – okay, I lie… I thought they were two different books *hangs head in shame*) and the photos in the Revised Edition are much clearer and thus probably more beneficial to the target audience; the demonstrators while maybe not of the same calibre as in the original are still exceptionally good.

Lastly, the best aspect of the book is simply its humble yet devoted tone. You can really feel the emotion and love that Egami had towards his Karate (it helps if you know a bit of Egami's history); inspirational and packed with solid information.

"Train as much as you sleep."

~ Shigeru Egami

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Posted By Riz to Riz's Martial Arts Training at 1/30/2009 02:30:00 PM

[Science & Technology Updated News] Diagnosing Mesothelioma

Diagnosing malignant mesothelioma can be difficult. Mesothelioma is often diagnosed as a lung cancer or initially as pneumonia. The following are several tests which a physician may have the patient undergo.

CT Scans

A CT scan - also called CT, computerized tomography or CAT scan - is an X-ray technique that produces images of your internal organs that are more detailed than those produced by conventional X-ray exams.

Conventional X-ray exams use a stationary X-ray machine to focus beams of radiation on a particular area of your body to produce two-dimensional images. But CT scans use an X-ray generating device that rotates around your body and a very powerful computer to create cross-sectional images, like slices, of the inside of your body.

A conventional X-ray of your abdomen, for example, shows your bones as well as subtle outlines of your liver, stomach, intestines, kidney and spleen. A CT scan, however, reveals these bones and organs as well as your pancreas, adrenal glands, kidneys and blood vessels - all with a higher degree of precision.

PET Scans

A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is a unique type of imaging test that helps doctors see how the organs and tissues inside your body are actually functioning.

The test involves injecting a very small dose of a radioactive chemical, called a radiotracer, into the vein of your arm. The tracer travels through the body and is absorbed by the organs and tissues being studied. A machine then scans you body and detects and records the energy given off by the tracer substance and, with the aid of a computer, this energy is converted into three-dimensional pictures. A physician can then look at cross-sectional images of the body organ from any angle in order to detect any functional problems.

A PET scan can measure such vital functions as blood flow, oxygen use, and glucose metabolism, which helps doctors identify abnormal from normal functioning organs and tissues. The scan can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of a patient's treatment plan, allowing the course of care to be adjusted if necessary.

How is a PET scan different from a CT or MRI scan?
One of the main differences between PET scans and other imaging tests like CT scan is that the PET scan reveals the cellular level metabolic changes occurring in an organ or tissue. This is important and unique because disease processes often begin with functional changes at the cellular level. A PET scan can often detect these very early changes whereas a CT scan detects changes a little later-as the disease begins to cause changes in the structure of organs or tissues.

It is essential to tell your doctor if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant before undergoing a PET scan because of radiation exposure.

Effusions/Cytology

Diagnosis of diseases based on examination of individual cells and small clusters of cells, called cytology or cytopathology, has become increasingly important in cancer diagnosis. While the pieces of tissue in biopsy samples may be as small as 1/16 inch or much larger (several inches), the individual cells and the cell clusters in cytology samples are placed in fluid and are usually too small to see without a microscope. Sometimes, only one drop of blood or tissue fluid is taken. On the other hand, some pleural fluid or peritoneal fluid cytology samples may include a quart or more of fluid.

A cytology specimen usually is easier to obtain, causes less discomfort to the patient, is less likely to result in serious complications, and is less expensive than a tissue biopsy. The disadvantage is that a biopsy result is more accurate.

Cytology tests may be used in two ways -- for diagnosis or for screening. Diagnostic tests are used for people who have signs, symptoms, or some other indication that a particular disease such as cancer is likely to be present. The purpose of a diagnostic test is to determine if a disease is present and, if so, to classify it precisely and accurately. A screening test is used to identify people who might have a certain disease even before they develop symptoms of that condition. A

Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA): FNA is sometimes considered a cytology test and is sometimes called a biopsy.

Tissue Biopsy

A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.

There are several different types of biopsies.

A needle (percutaneous) biopsy removes tissue using a hollow tube called a syringe. A needle is passed thru the syringe into the area of concern. The tissue is taken out using this needle. Needle biopsies are often performed using x-rays (usually CT scan), which guide the surgeon to the appropriate area.

An open biopsy is a surgery that uses general anesthesia. This means you are asleep and pain-free during the procedure. The procedure is done in a hospital operating room. A surgeon makes a cut into the affected area, and the tissue is removed.

Closed biopsy uses a much smaller surgical cut than open biopsy. The small cut is made so that a camera-like instrument can be inserted. This instrument can be used to see the area, and helps guide the surgeon to the appropriate place to take the sample.

Criteria

Factors in Diagnosing Asbestos Disease:

History of asbestos exposure: direct, bystander, household, schools, offices
Symptoms appearing 15 plus years after first exposure (latency).
Shortness of breath on exertion or at rest.
History of decreased exercise capability.
Dry cough.
Stethoscope examination showing bilateral crackles or rales in both lungs.
Chest film evidence of asbestos scarring
Progression of scarring on films over time.
Pulmonary function tests showing a restrictive defect and/or an obstructive defect in non-smoker.

Staging

When lung cancer is diagnosed, the doctors want to learn the stage of the disease. Staging is a process used by physicians to describe the extent of the disease or how advanced the cancer is. Staging assists the physician in determining the likely course of the cancer and how it may respond to different treatments (also known as the prognosis of the disease).

Knowing the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan an appropriate treatment approach and evaluate the results of different interventions. Different staging systems are used for different types of cancer.

CT scans and MRI are often used to determine whether the cancer has spread.

A mediastinoscopy can help show whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the chest. Using a lighted viewing instrument, called a scope, the doctor examines the center of the chest (mediastinum) and nearby lymph nodes. In mediastinoscopy, the scope is inserted through a small incision in the neck; in mediastinotomy, the incision is made in the chest. In either procedure, the scope is also used to remove a tissue sample.

[courtesy of Mesothelioma Empowerment]

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Posted By Science & Technology Updated News to Science & Technology Updated News at 1/30/2009 02:04:00 AM

[Reviewers] Thanks to LoudLaunch

Reviewer would like to say thanks to LoudLaunchdotcom They gave me a good job when i was joining them. Loudlaunch is one of my favorite PTR program right now. They offer $10.31 per job in average. So you guys if you interested in paid to review program I think you have to try to join with LoudLaunch market place. You could join with standard minimum requirement, but i suggest you already got a Google PR.

Your blog will be approved in 3 weeks or less for sites with a medium to high ranking. If your site is not approved in 1 weeks time you are probably on a waiting list for the categories which your blog was submitted under.

They will pay bloggers via Paypal within 5 days of the 1st of each month for all approved posts placed between the 1st and 20th of the prior month. I think this payment system look like Blogvertiser. Ok.. I thing the explanation above about LoudLaunch is enough, if you want to now more a bit about this paid to post program check their FAQ page. Ups..For the time being i still waiting for their first payment on December 5, I will inform you once they already paid.

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Posted By Narmadi to Reviewers at 1/30/2009 12:05:00 AM

Jan 29, 2009

[Live The Life] Money Making Ideas

Making Money with AdSense and Blogger.

You don't have to know about html, css or even how to install blogging software to start your own money making blog. You can easily set up a blog for free in no more than five minutes and Blogger will even help you set up Google AdSense which in turn can help you make money from your blog every time a visitor clicks on the ads that are displayed. The key is to provide good quality content that will bring the visitors flooding in.

Another way to make money is through an affiliate program. just insert your affiliate links whenever post about a related subject. But remeber only add your affiliate links to related posts or you will put your reader off.

The main thing to remember is that traffic is the key to becoming a successful blogger. Whether you stick to AdSense or try affiliate programs, but pick the right subject, provide good quality posts containing the right keywords and you,ll be half way there. All this without spending a dollar.

So if you haven,t already, why not give it a go and sign up to blogger and let them take you through everything from choosing your template to adding the AdSense ads and if you do hit a stumbling block there are plenty of how to sites out there that can help with every possible problem you could face.

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

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Posted By James to Live The Life on 1/30/2009 12:22:00 AM

[sudhersana] PATTERNS OF BLOUSE I WOULD LIKE TO WEAR!!

A very classy looking blouse so unique and trendy but if I wear one like this my mom will definitely throw me out; but I would definitely like to give it a try secretly lol:)

A very classy halter neck blouse in lace net material . Never goes out of fashion and definitely makes you unique even in a stylish cocktail party.

The design and cut on the back of the blouse with gathering border gives a stylish look

Hi, On my previous post I had shared with you about some of the outfits I purchased recently. Now I'm wondering about the pattern of blouse I have to stitch for these saris. Unlike salwars and other ready made outfits saris could not be worn the day they are purchased. I have to buy petticoats to match the sari. I have to then search for some patterns of blouses to be stitched. Thank God now a days the blouses come attached with the sari itself unlike 10-15 years before one has to take the sari and go from shop to shop to match the material for the blouse which will go along with the colour of the sari. The worst thing is if the sari is double shaded then for sure one cannot get the perfect colour of blouse material.

Here comes my kind of blouse. I normally wear only this pattern of blouse. So this time I'm going to try something different. But even then I could not wear those different patterns for family occasions otherwise everyone will look at me like an alien. I have told you my family is very conservative lol :))

I have gone with my aunts from shop to shop to buy blouse materials for their sari and they used to confuse me and also confuse themselves by keeping two almost similar coloured blouse materials and asking me this or that. If I say this one is matching with the colour of the sari; they will say no "I think the other one is perfect" like that after lot of "discussions" LOL :)) they will select the "perfect" colour which matches the sari. Finally after getting the blouse stitched and they will wear the sari to attend some wedding or party. When the photos of the wedding or party come then only we realize that with the flash of the camera and all the blouse and sari colours look so odd as if they had worn a completely different coloured blouse. Hoof thank God for the person who found the concept of "attached blouse" .

This pattern of blouse was very popular about 10 years back and now it is back in fashion again. This I can also wear for family occasions because it is fully covered even the sleeve is long so no one will tell anything lol :)) this kind of sleeve is called 3/4Th's before but now don't know how it is called .

As far as the pattern of blouse I always used to go with the normal U neck and V neck with short sleeves. Short sleeves or mega sleeves only suit persons who have slim arms. The funny thing is although I'm a healthy lady my arms remain slim and in shape LOL :)) I don't know how. Anyone out there have a different structure like me share with me and I will keep it as a secret LOL :)) When I was browsing the net I came across some interesting patterns of blouse. I had put the pictures between the posts so have a look and give your opinions about the patterns and if you have some suggestions about any new patterns also please let me know so that I can try it out. That sounds a great idea to have some "free" patterns of blouses from you guys without spending a bug hmmn. Have I become over smart ......... no not really I'm always that "Innocent" down to earth sweet little sudha :)

I adore this pattern of blouse; sleeveless and the zari border gives it a stylish look.

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Posted By Sudha to sudhersana at 1/29/2009 12:34:00 AM

[Narmadi's Blog] SmashMesh Mote GE Sensing M2135

[Popular Book] Rules for Book Writers

Another popular book just called the rules for write book by Diana. Rules for Writers succeeds because it has always been grounded in classroom experience. Diana Hacker created an affordable and practical classroom tool that doubles as a quick reference. Developed with the help of instructors from two-and four-year schools, the sixth edition gives students quick access to the information they need to solve writing problems in any college course.

Diana personally class-tested her handbooks with nearly four thousand students over 35 years at Prince George's Community College in Maryland, where she was a member of the English faculty. Hacker handbooks, built on innovation and on a keen understanding of the challenges facing student writers, are the most widely adopted in America.

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Posted By Narmadi to Popular Book at 1/29/2009 01:01:00 AM

Jan 28, 2009

[Narmadi's Blog] Perubahan Ketentuan Biaya Pengujian

Jika anda rajin mengikuti perkembangan regulasi tentang sertifikasi perangkat telekomunikasi tentunya sudah tidak asing lagi bahwa mulai bulan januari ~~tepatnya saya kurang begitu paham~~ yang jelas kalau saya sendiri merasakannya pada pertengahan bulan januari yaitu bahwa terjadinya perubahan ketentuan atau kebijakan terkait biaya pengujian perangkat telekomunikasi yang sangat mengagetkan "setidaknya menurut saya". Karena satu model perangkat bisa dikenakan tarif pengujian lebih dari satu biaya pengujian menurut klasifikasi pengujian perangkat ataupun berdasarkan fungsi perangkat. ~~saya kurang begitu paham karena ini kebijakan baru~~

Mungkin kebijakan tersebut bertujuan baik untuk lebih mengoptimalkan peran dan fungsi lembaga sertifikasi perangkat telekomunikasi. Akan tetapi perubahan kebijakan tersebut pastinya akan mendapatkan reaksi dari masyarakat (sang aplikan) ataupun manufaktur yang sering mengajukan pengujian perangkat telekomunikasi. Salah satu perusahaan mengeluhkan langsung kepada saya bahwa ( pak ini apa tidak salah biaya pengujiannya segini mahal padahal harga perangkatnya....bla..bla.). Sudahlah mengenai perubahan itu biarlah para penentu kebijakan pastinya lebih paham dan mahir dalam menganalisa sebab akibat.

Terlepas dari itu jika kita kembalikan kepada undang-undang atau tepatnya KEPMEN yang mengatur tentang sertifikasi perangkat telekomunikasi yang paling baru yaitu Peraturan Menteri Komunikasi nomor 29/PER/M.KOMINFO/09 disana sudah dijelaskan dengan gamblang bahwa setiap model dan tipe perangkat yang harus di sertifikasi. (mohon dikoreksi jika saya salah). Berikut petikan dari Kepmen tersebut.

" Pada ketentuan umum dijelaskan bahwa Sertifikat adalah dokumen yang menyatakan kesesuaian tipe alat dan perangkat telekomunikasi terhadap persyaratan teknis dan atau standar yang ditetapkan.

Tipe alat dan perangkat telekomunikasi adalah merek,model atau jenis perangkat telekomunikasi yang mempunyai karaketeristik tertentu.

Kemudian dalam BAB VII mengenai Biaya tepatnya Pasal 3 disana menjelaskan bahwa Biaya pengujian dikenakan untuk: pengujian dengan cara pengukuran oleh Balai Uji berdasarkan tipe alat dan perangkat telekomunikasi."

Sampai sekarang saya masih bingung mengapa biaya pengujian perangkatnya tidak berdasarkan model dan tipe saja dan yang sesuai dengan ketentuan di kepmen baru tersebut akan tetapi biaya pengujian tersebut seolah-olah berdasarkan fungsi perangkat. Menurut pendapat saya pemerintah harus memperjelas dalam mengklasifikasian biaya pengujian perangkat agar beban biaya pengujian tidak terlalu berat dirasakan oleh para pemohon sertifikat. (ini pendapat saya loh ya)

wah mulai ngelantur....

Lain dari itu saya membawa berita bagus untuk anda yaitu besok hari Jum'at tanggal 30 Januari akan diadakan pertemuan di Postel pusat terkait biaya pengujian perangkat jadi jika anda ingin mengetahui lebih detail siapa saja yang boleh menghadiri lebih baik sekarang konfirmasi kepada postel pusat atau telpon langsung ke 0213835840.

Semoga bermanfaat....

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Posted By Narmadi to Narmadi's Blog at 1/28/2009 09:03:00 PM

[Whole Food Multis- Real Nutritional Supplements] Breaking BAD Habits

I can see how easy it is to eat junk. I recently reentered the work away from home world, as well as am taking some college courses again. My school hours are 1-4pm. And I work 1130-730. Now this may not seem to bad. My hours are nice enough. The problem that I have is this: These are the times of day most people are having lunch and dinner hours. I am used to eating lunch around noon, and dinner around 6. So the 2 days a week i am in school, I am driving during my normal lunch time. Work days I am already at work when I usually eat. I spend over an hour a day driving, 6 days a week. When you are in the car that often it's difficult to not stop in somewhere an hit the drive thru. (I had a jumbo Jack and fries on the way to school the other day.) I was starving an had woken up late. My other problem is that no matter how early I set my alarm for, I hit snooze an sleep as late as I can. I have to be up at least 2 hours before I can eat anything, and usually am already on my way by then. (try eating a bagel with cream cheese and jelly while you drive) So bad habits come back. I have been taking meals for lunch. And keep healthy things with me to resist eating junk at work. I do alright on my way home, but when I get home I am so tired and have homework to do and cooking is not in the gameplan. When I went shopping last I was careful about what I bought. I stayed away from frozen foods with a few small exceptions of french fries and taquitos. I have been making snacks of fresh celery and peanut butter with honey. I buy the Jif, it has less of the crap in it an no preservatives. Just peanuts, honey, and a bit of soduim. But all in all peanut butter is not that bad for you. It has far less fat and calories than microwave popcorn and frozen dinners. While fresh whole foods are best for all of us, there are still ways to eat well and fast without eating junk. Read the labels. It may look harmless, but you would be amazed. Look at a Marie Callanders Pot Pie. I love those. but if you eat 2 a day you have exceded almost all of your recommended daily allowence for everything. They have over 1000 calories in one. Even the new smaller ones, (10.5 oz) have about 650 fat grams. I recently quit smoking an took up Yoga in it's place. I made a deal to myself to trade a bad habit for a good one. It's all about the small things we do that make a big difference. The next time you are in the grocery store, make one or two small changes. Instead of can veggies, but fresh ones. Replace the box potatos with a salad. It's very easy to integrate veggies into your meals, think of the colors of what you are eating. Put colorful foods on your plate. Try a fresh fruit salad for dessert instead of chocolate cake. Fresh corn on the cob instead of canned peas. Always trade a bad habit for a good one. Everytime you do your new "good habit" congradulate yourself. You can never have to many GOOD habits.

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Posted By nicholehampton to Whole Food Multis- Real Nutritional Supplements at 1/28/2009 11:56:00 PM

[Science & Technology Updated News] Adult stem cells may aid the infertile

UCLA researchers have reprogrammed a special class of adult stem cells to become the precursor cells of human eggs and sperm, suggesting a way for infertile couples to conceive a child using their own DNA in the future.

In a first-of-its-kind effort, researchers at UCLA's Broad Stem Cell Research Center used "induced pluripotent stem cells" -- typically simple skin cells that have been engineered to return to an embryonic state -- from which they could develop into a wide range of different tissues. Those induced pluripotent stem (or iPS) cells were then coaxed to become germ line cells capable of giving rise to sperm and egg.

Many uncertainties and dangers must still be resolved before an experiment like this could yield techniques of clinical use in infertility treatment. The reprogramming process, for instance, involves viruses and genes, which may increase the likelihood of genetic abnormalities and cancers.

But if such reprogramming can be done safely, the skin cells of men and women incapable of conceiving on their own could be used to "grow" eggs and sperm bearing their own genetic material. For many infertile couples, that would be simpler and preferable to turning to an egg- or sperm-donor, who becomes one of the resulting child's genetic parents.

"These germ cells would be specific and genetically related to the patient," said UCLA researcher Amander Clark.

Even as it raised new hopes for the clinical use of adult stem cells, Clark's research underscored that embryonic stem cells -- the subject of heated ethical and political debate -- currently are a safer and more reliable means of developing germ lines capable of growing a wide range of human tissues, including eggs and sperm. Clark and others have found that cells generated from embryonic cell germ lines regulate themselves more effectively -- and thus raise less risk of runaway growth or chromosomal errors.

For that reason, it's crucial that work on embryonic stem cells continue, Clark said. President Obama is expected in the next several weeks to reverse longstanding restrictions on embryonic stem cell research adopted by President George W. Bush.

Provided by : The Los Angeles Times.

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Posted By Science & Technology Updated News to Science & Technology Updated News at 1/28/2009 05:25:00 PM

[Science & Technology Updated News] Stem cells used to reverse paralysis ...

A new study has found that transplantation of stem cells from the lining of the spinal cord, called ependymal stem cells, reverses paralysis associated with spinal cord injuries in laboratory tests. The findings show that the population of these cells after spinal cord injury was many times greater than comparable cells from healthy animal subjects. The results open a new window on spinal cord regenerative strategies. The study is published in the journal Stem Cells.

The transplanted cells were found to proliferate after spinal cord injury and were recruited by the specific injured area. When these cells were transplanted into animals with spinal cord injury, they regenerated ten times faster while in the transplant subject than similar cells derived from healthy control animals.

Spinal cord injury is a major cause of paralysis, and the associated trauma destroys numerous cell types, including the neurons that carry messages between the brain and the rest of the body. In many spinal injuries, the cord is not actually severed, and at least some of the signal-carrying nerve cells remain intact. However, the surviving nerve cells may no longer carry messages because oligodendrocytes, which comprise the insulating sheath of the spinal cord, are lost.

The regenerative mechanism discovered was activated when a lesion formed in the injured area. After a lesion formed in the transplant subject, the stem cells were found to have a more effective ability to differentiate into oligodendrocytes and other cell types needed to restore neuronal function.

Currently, there are no effective therapies to reverse this disabling condition in humans. However, the presence of these stem cells in the adult human spinal cords suggests that stem cell-associated mechanisms might be exploited to repair human spinal cord injuries.

Given the serious social and health problems presented by diseases and accidents that destroy neuronal function, there is an ever-increasing interest in determining whether adult stem cells might be utilized as a basis of regenerative therapies.

"The human body contains the tools to repair damaged spinal cords. Our work clearly demonstrates that we need both adult and embryonic stem cells to understand our body and apply this knowledge in regenerative medicine," says Miodrag Stojkovic, co-author of the study. "There are mechanisms in our body which need to be studied in more detail since they could be mobilized to cure spinal cord injuries."[PhysOrg]

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Posted By Science & Technology Updated News to Science & Technology Updated News at 1/28/2009 04:59:00 PM

[Reviewers] Disclosure Policy

This policy is valid from 29 January 2009

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact me at contact page. This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post may not always be identified as paid or sponsored content.

The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.

To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org

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Posted By Narmadi to Reviewers at 12/22/2008 05:06:00 PM

[Science & Technology Updated News] Gene therapy cures form of 'bubble bo...

Gene therapy seems to have cured eight of 10 children who had potentially fatal "bubble boy disease," according to a study that followed their progress for about four years after treatment. The eight patients were no longer on medication for the rare disease, which cripples the body's defenses against infection. The successful treatment is reported in Thursday's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine and offers hope for treating other diseases with a gene therapy approach.

Bubble boy disease is formally called severe combined immunodeficiency, or SCID. This genetic disorder is diagnosed in about 40 to 100 babies each year in the United States. Recent studies found that gene therapy produced impressive results for that form of the disease, but also carried a risk of leukemia.

The new study involved a different, less common form of SCID - and one that holds a key position in medical history. In 1990 it became the first illness to be treated by gene therapy, according to the U.S. government. Two Ohio girls improved but continued to take medication.

This form of SCID arises in babies with a genetic defect that leaves them deficient of an enzyme called adenosine deaminase. Patients can be treated with twice-weekly shots of the enzyme or a bone marrow transplant, but the medicine is expensive and marrow transplants don't always work.

Gene therapy for the new study was performed in Italy and Israel. Researchers removed marrow cells from the patients, equipped the cells with working copies of the gene for the enzyme, and injected the cells back into the patients. In most cases, that was done before age 2.

The journal article reports the outcome two to eight years later, with an average of four years. All 10 patients were still alive, but two needed further treatment. None showed signs of leukemia or other health problems from the therapy, the researchers said.

Dr. Donald Kohn, a SCID expert at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, said scientists are trying to understand why gene therapy produces a leukemia risk with the most common form of SCID but not the enzyme-related form.

The new findings are good news for the idea of using gene therapy to treat some other blood cell disorders, including sickle cell disease, said Kohn, who didn't participate in the new study.

New England Journal of Medicine: http://www.nejm.org

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Posted By Science & Technology Updated News to Science & Technology Updated News at 1/28/2009 04:23:00 PM