HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Music can transcend anything. Happy New Year!

VIDEO: BACH, J.S.: St. Matthew Passion No.39 - Dresdner Kreuzchor

A THOUSAND WINDS

SINGER: AKIKAWA MASAFUMI




(Translation)
A Thousand Winds

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.

Researchers Develop Powerful Tool to Study the Genetics of Inflammation

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-11/wfub-rdp112907.php

Researchers develop powerful tool to study the genetics of inflammation

Contact: Karen Richardson
krchrdsn@wfubmc.edu
336-716-4453
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center


WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Scientists have known which genes are linked to inflammation, but now researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center have organized this information to develop a powerful tool to aid investigators in studying the genetics of inflammatory diseases.

Using complex web-based software called Ingenuity Pathway Analysis®, the researchers were able to systematically map out pathways, or chains of genes, and subpathways that contribute to various aspects of inflammation.

“We basically organized the inflammation-associated genes in a systematic way,” said Matthew Loza, Ph.D., of the Center for Human Genomics at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, and lead author of the study. “Before, a random list of genes involved in inflammation was all you had. We started with that same list, but then built these networks to bring all these different genes together.”

The study, which was recently published by the Public Library of Science in its online journal PLoS One, has also led to the development of two customized panels for analyzing genetic variations in the inflammation pathways -- one for European and one for African descent populations. In a laboratory, these panels are analyzed using special laboratory equipment and computer systems. Researchers can obtain the custom inflammation panel through Affymetrix Corporation.

“This is so significant because inflammation is a very hot topic, and many research groups want to study it,” said Bao-Li Chang, Ph.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at Wake Forest and senior author for the study. “We have provided researchers with the tool to effectively and efficiently accomplish their goals.”


###
Inflammation is the immune system’s response to pathogens and tissue damage. Chronic inflammation is linked to numerous diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and many cancers.

This study is part of a larger study through the Women’s Health Initiative that explores the role of inflammation in colon, breast and lung cancer. It’s sponsored by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health.

Co-researchers were Charles McCall, M.D., and Jianfeng Xu, Dr. P.H., of Wake Forest, Liwu Li, Ph.D., of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and William Isaacs, Ph.D., of Johns Hopkins University Medical Institutions.

Media contact: Karen Richardson, krchrdson@wfubmc.edu or Bonnie Davis, bdavis@wfubmc.edu; at (336) 716-4587.

Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center is an academic health system comprised of North Carolina Baptist Hospital and Wake Forest University Health Sciences, which operates the university’s School of Medicine. The system comprises 1,238 acute care, psychiatric, rehabilitation and long-term care beds and is consistently ranked as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report.

THE JOURNEY - LEA SALONGA

Half the world is sleeping,
half the world's awake
half can hear their hearts beat
half just hear them break

I am but a traveler, in most every way
Ask me what you want...to know

What a journey it has been
And the end is not in sight
But the stars are out tonight
and they're bound to guide my way

When they're shining on my life
I can see a better day
I won't let the darkness in,
what a journey it has been.

I have been to sorrow
I have been to bliss
Where I'll be tomorrow,
I can only guess

Through the darkest desert
Through the deepest snow,
Forward always forward, I go..

What a journey it has been
and the end is not in sight
But the stars are out tonight
and they're bound to guide my way

When they're shining on my life
I can see a better day
I won't let the darkness in,
what a journey it has been...

Forward, always forward...
Onward, always up...
Catching every drop of hope
In my empty cup

What a journey it has been
And the end is not in sight
But the stars are out tonight
and they're bound to guide my way

When they're shining on my life
I can see a better day
I won't let the darkness in,
what a journey it has been...

What a journey it has been...

TODAY'S WORD

www.joelosteen.com

You Set the Limits

Today's Scripture
“What if they don’t believe? Will their lack of faith make the faith of God no effect?” (Romans 3:3)

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

There will always be critics and naysayers in life. It’s not what’s said about you that affects your life, but what you say and believe about yourself. Has the opinions of other people caused you to water down your dreams? One of the most important things you can learn is that other people don’t have to believe in you in order for your dreams to come to pass. Other people don’t set the limits for your life—you do. In Romans 3:3, the Apostle Paul is saying, “It doesn’t matter if other people don’t believe. Their unbelief is not going to keep me from believing in my dreams.” When God puts a promise in your heart, it’s not up to other people to bring it to pass, it’s up to you! You don’t need everyone to validate you. You have to follow the voice of God for yourself and allow Him to order your steps. God sees the hidden treasures that you’ve had buried on the inside of you. He wants to bring those treasures out and make your dreams reality! As you get rid of old, defeated thoughts and replace them with what God says about you, you will remove the limits and live the abundant life God has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, thank You for another day to see Your goodness in my life. Help me to see myself the way You see me. Help me to see the plans You have for me so that I can be empowered by You to fulfill my destiny. I love You and bless Your name today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

LIVE ON A HIGHER LEVEL

When you're constantly on the lookout for limitations, you invite those limitations into your life.

Choose instead to allow more of the goodness and wholeness that make life so beautiful and miraculous.

Keep your focus on the positive possibilities, and put your energy into bringing those possibilities to life. When you're busy with creative accomplishment, fewer troubles will be able to find you.

Allow your thoughts and actions to be in harmony with your most cherished values. Fill your moments with sincere expressions of love, gratitude and creativity.

If you see yourself as struggling and striving, you give power to fear, pain and despair. Choose instead to see yourself as making a positive difference, and give your power to the very best things you can imagine.

You never have to live on the level at which everything is a problem or a conflict. You can decide to live on a higher level at which every situation is an opportunity to invoke and to express life's goodness.

In each moment, allow that goodness to stream into your world. With each day, lovingly bring to life the value that is yours to create.

VIDEO OF THE DAY

BABY BLOOPERS

TAKAYASU ARTERITIS STUDIES

TAKAYASU ARTERITIS AND ITS THERAPY

1: Annals of Internal Medicine. 1985 July;103(1):121-6

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=2860834

Shelhamer JH, Volkman DJ, Parrillo JE, Lawley TJ, Johnston MR, Fauci AS.

Twenty patients with Takayasu's arteritis were followed prospectively for an average of 4.6 years. Sixteen patients with active inflammatory Takayasu's arteritis were treated with glucocorticosteroids; eight responded to therapy. Six patients had clinical or angiographic progression of their vasculitis on daily corticosteroid therapy. These patients were then given cyclophosphamide together with prednisone on alternate days. Four of these 6 patients had no progression of vascular lesions while receiving cyclophosphamide; two had progression of vascular lesions after 30 and 48 months of therapy. Vascular reconstructive surgery was successful in 7 patients who tolerated a total of 13 vascular surgical procedures without major complications. One bypass graft occluded after 13 months and was revised. With corticosteroid therapy, cytotoxic therapy, and surgery, no deaths due to Takayasu's arteritis or its treatment have occurred.

PMID: 2860834 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

------------

TAKAYASU'S ARTERITIS -- COURSE, DIAGNOSIS AND LONG TERM RESULTS OF TREATMENT

2: Polish Archives of Medicine Wewn. 1994 Jun;91(6):451-60.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=PubMed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=7971466&ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlusDrugs1

[Article in Polish]

Cybulska I.

Kliniki Nadciśnienia Tetniczego Instytutu Kardiologii w Warszawie.

Nonspecific aortoarteritis (Takayasu's arteritis) is a systemic disease of unknown cause. No characteristic symptoms may delay diagnosis and treatment as well as deteriorate prognosis.

The aim of the study was analysis of prevalence, course, diagnosis and treatment of Takayasu's arteritis. 10 patients (9 female, 1 male) with inflammatory phase of Takayasu's arteritis were seen at the Department of Hypertension of Institute of Cardiology between 1981 and 1992 (0.1% of all patients). The diagnosis was performed on the basis of typical arteriographic picture and laboratory investigations such as elevated of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and increase of immunoglobins, especially G fraction levels. Three patients were in poor general condition (fever, tachypnea, progressive weakness and severe arthralgia); in the remaining the symptoms were less severe, consisting mainly of weakness and arthralgia. All patients had multiple sites of arterial involvement (clinically and angiographically). Hypertension occurred in 9, aortic valve disease in 4, mitral valve disease in 2 and angina pectoris in 3 persons. All patients were treated with prednisone in initial dose of 1-1.5 mg/kg daily. After normalization of inflammatory indices (in average after 3 weeks therapy) this dose was gradually diminished to maintenance dose 5-15 mg daily. 4 patients were treated with prednisone in monotherapy, 6 received combined therapy--prednisone and cyclophosphamide or prednisone and azathioprine. Responses to immunosuppressive treatment were usually very good. In follow-up period (43.4 +/- 30.7 months) in 9 patients the regression of symptoms of inflammatory phase was observed (all patients were treated with maintenance dose of prednisone). Immunosuppressive therapy was ineffective in one woman, despite long term treatment with prednisone combined alternately with cyclophosphamide, azathioprine or methotrexate. She died of progressive heart and renal failure.

CONCLUSIONS: 1. Takayasu's arteritis is serious systemic disease with considerable risk of death. 2. Early and proper management of Takayasu's arteritis can improve prognosis of this disease. 3. In every case with multiple sites of arterial involvement, especially with associated symptoms of unidentified inflammatory disease it is necessary to consider diagnosis of Takayasu's arteritis, which prevalence seems to be underestimated.

PMID: 7971466 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

------------

THE CLINICAL SPECTRUM OF TAKAYASU'S ARTERITIS

3: Surgery. 1988 November;104(5):905-10.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=PubMed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=2903563&ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlusDrugs1

Sise MJ, Counihan CM, Shackford SR, Rowley WR.

Department of Surgery, Naval Hospital, San Diego, Calif. 92134-5000.

Takayasu's arteritis is a rare inflammatory disease of the aorta, its major branches, and the pulmonary artery in which the varying anatomic involvement, the time course, and the periodicity of exacerbations give rise to a wide variety of signs and symptoms. We have recently encountered five patients with Takayasu's arteritis whose symptoms and findings demonstrate the clinical spectrum of this disease. All five patients are women, with a current mean age of 41 years. Although findings at initial evaluations included systemic manifestations and elevation of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate in four patients, the fifth patient had a normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate and signs of abdominal aortic occlusion. Two patients had a history of hypertension, and four patients complained of upper- or lower-extremity claudication. Arteriographic examination revealed aortic arch branch vessel involvement (type I) in two patients who also had aortic valvular insufficiency; three patients had combined arch vessel and distal aortic disease (type III). All patients have been maintained on steroid medications, and one patient has undergone a trial of cytotoxic agents. Three patients underwent surgical procedures: aortic valve replacement in two patients, and aortorenal bypass in one patient. Takayasu's arteritis gives rise to a variety of symptoms and findings resulting from the distribution and severity of the inflammatory process. With adequate immunosuppression and selective application of surgical therapy, there is a good prognosis for survival and a return to functional status.

PMID: 2903563 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

AFFIRMATION OF THE DAY

I am very blessed and lucky.
I have gratitude and appreciation for what I have and let go of coveting what others have.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

I define joy as a sustained sense of well-being and internal peace - a connection to what matters. Oprah Winfrey

SLOW DOWN

AN INTERESTING REFLECTION: SLOW DOWN CULTURE

It has been 18 years since I joined Volvo, a Swedish company. Working for them has proven to be an interesting experience. Any project here takes 2 years to be finalized, even if the idea is simple and brilliant. It's a rule.Globalized processes have caused in us (all over the world) a general sense of searching for immediate results. Therefore, we have come to possess a need to see immediate results. Thiscontrasts greatly with the slow movements of the Swedish. They, on the other hand, debate, debate, debate, hold x quantity of meetings and work with a slowdown scheme. At the end, this always yields better results.

Said in other words:

1. Sweden is about the size of San Pablo, a state in Brazil

2. Sweden has 9 million inhabitants

3. Stockholm has 500,000 people

4. Volvo, Escania, Ericsson, Electrolux and Nokia are some of its owned companies.

The first time I was in Sweden, one of my colleagues picked me up at the hotel every morning. It was September, bit cold and snowy. We would arrive early at the company and he would park far away from the entrance (2000 employees drive their car to work). The first day, I didn't sayanything, either on the second or third.

One morning I asked, "Do you have a fixed parking space? I've noticed we park far from the entrance even when there are no other cars in the lot." To which he replied, "Since we're here early we'll have time to walk, and whoever gets in late will be late and need a place closer to the door, don't you think?” Imagine my face.

Nowadays, there's a movement in Europe named Slow Food. This movement establishes that people should eat and drink slowly, with enough time to taste their food, spend time with the family, friends, without rushing. Slow Food! is against its counterpart: the spirit of Fast Food and what it stands for as a lifestyle.

Slow Food is the basis for a bigger movement called Slow Europe, as mentioned by Business Week.Basically, the movement questions the sense of "hurry" and "craziness" generated by globalization, fueled by the desire of "having in quantity" (life status) versus "having with quality", "life quality" or the "quality of being". French people, even though they work 35 hoursper week, are more productive than Americans or British. Germans have established 28.8 hour workweeks and have seen their productivity driven up by 20%.

This slow attitude has brought forth the US's attention, pupils of the fast and the "do it now!"This no-rush attitude doesn't represent doing less or having a lower productivity. It means working and doing things with greater quality, productivity, perfection, with attention to detail and less stress. It means reestablishing family values, friends, free and leisure time.

Taking the "now", present and concrete, versus the "global", undefined and anonymous. It means taking humans' essential values, the simplicity of living.

It stands for a less coercive work environment, more happy, lighter and more productive where humans enjoy doing what they know best how to do. It's time to stop and think on how companies need to develop serious quality with no-rush that will increase productivity and the quality of products and services, without losing the essence of spirit.

In the movie, Scent of a Woman, there's a scene where Al Pacino asks a girl to dance and she replies, "I can't, my boyfriend will be here any minute now". To which Al responds, "A life is lived in an instant". Then they danced to a tango.

Many of us live our lives running behind time, but we only reach it when we die of a heart attack or in a car accident rushing to be on time. Others are so anxious of living the future that they forget to live the present, which is the only time that truly exists. We all have equal time throughout the world. No one has more or less. The difference lies in how each one of us does with our time.

We need to live each moment. As John Lennon said, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans".

Congratulations for reading till the end of this message. There are many who will have stopped in the middle so as not to waste time in this ‘rushed’ world.

TODAY'S WORD

www.joelosteen.com

The Land of Hope

Today's Scripture

“I’ve pitched my tent in the Land of Hope” (Acts 2:26 Message).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

Where have you pitched your tent today? What are you expecting to happen in your life? What kind of attitude do you have? If you’re focused on what’s wrong, or what’s not working, it’s time to dig up your tent stakes! It’s time to pack up your belongings and move out of the land of discouragement. Move out of the “Not-going-to-happen” sub-division. Move out of “Can’t-do-it-ville.” It’s time to leave “Self-pity Estates.” Get out of those areas and move into the land of hope, faith, and expectation. Maybe you don’t quite know how to get there, but now’s the time to start looking for that new place. Open your heart to the Lord and ask Him to direct your thoughts and expectations. The Bible says that those who hope in the Lord will never be put to shame. You can trust God to order your steps. You can trust Him to move you from the land of disappointment to the land of hope today!

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, thank You for ordering and directing my steps. Thank You for taking me to the land of hope! I release all my past hurts and disappointments to You today and ask that You fill me with Your faith and expectancy for a bright future! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRISTEZA (GOODBYE SADNESS) VIDEO CLIP

Baden Powell Music Video Clip

TODAY'S WORD

Believe and Receive

Today's Scripture

“Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24, NIV).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

Has God spoken things to your heart that haven’t come to pass yet? Sometimes when we are believing for things, it’s easy to let circumstances and the pressures of life drag us down. But when you make the choice to receive your promise by picturing it in your mind’s eye, and declaring it with the words of your mouth, your faith becomes stronger. You begin to feel more confident. You begin to feel more settled. You begin to have joy and peace because you know God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. What are you believing for God to do in your life today? Can you see it in your mind’s eye? Can you see yourself healed? Can you see yourself paying off that last debt? Can you see yourself at your ideal weight? Can you see yourself sharing the gospel with a family member or coworker? Ask the Lord to give you the picture of what He sees when He looks at you. As you open your heart and allow God’s thoughts to become your thoughts, and your receive His promises by faith, just like it says in the above verse—whatever you ask for in prayer will be yours!

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, thank You for another day to serve You. Thank You for the gift of faith. I ask that you search my heart and mind and remove anything that does not please you. Give me your thoughts of peace and joy today so that I can learn to receive all you have for me today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

JANE MONHEIT & JOHN PIZCARELLI MUSIC VIDEO

TA CLASSIFICATION TYPES & CRITERIA

Reference: Ball, G.V. and S. Louis Bridges JR (Eds) (2002) Vasculitis. Oxford University

In Chapter 19 by Sharma and Jain they provide a classification of TA on page 283

"A new 5-type classification proposed by an International Cooperative Study on Takayasu's Arteritis is based on the location of the disease (Moriwaki et al, 1997)".

The Roman Numerals refer to Type.

The statement refers to Site of Involvement.

Type I - Branches of the aortic arch.

Type IIa - Ascending aorta, aortic arch and its branches.

Type IIb - Ascending aorta, aortic arch and its branches and thoracic descending aorta.

Type III - Thoracic descending aorta, abdominal aorta and/or renal arteries.

Type IV - Abdominal aorta and/or renal arteries.

Type V - Combination of Types IIb and IV.

--------

From: http://www.rheumatology.org/publications/classification/takayasu.asp?aud=mem


1990 criteria for the classification of Takayasu arteritis

1. Age at disease onset < 40 years
Development of symptoms or findings related to Takayasu arteritis at age 40 years

2. Claudication of extremities
Development and worsening of fatigue and discomfort in muscles of 1 or more extremity while in use, especially the upper extremities

3. Decreased brachial artery pulse
Decreased pulsation of 1 or both brachial arteries

4. BP difference >10 mm Hg
Difference of >10 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure between arms


5. Bruit over subclavian arteries or aorta
Bruit audible on auscultation over 1 or both subclavian arteries or abdominal aorta


6. Arteriogram abnormality
Arteriographic narrowing or occlusion of the entire aorta, its primary branches, or large arteries in the proximal upper or lowe extremities, not due to arteriosclerosis, fibromuscular dysplasia, or similar causes; changes usually focal or segmental

POSITIVE VIBRATIONS

QUOTE OF THE DAY

One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today. ~ Dale Carnegie

CASE REPORT: Descending Aorta to Carotid Bypass for Takayasu Arteritis as a Redo Operation

http://ats.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/76/1/283

Case report

Descending aorta to carotid bypass for takayasu arteritis as a redo operation Norihiko Shiiya, MD, PhDa*, Kenji Matsuzaki, MDa, Tohru Watanabe, MDa, Satoshi Kuroda, MD, PhDb, Keishu Yasuda, MD, PhDa

a Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Sapporo, Japan

b Department of Neurosurgery, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan

Accepted for publication January 7, 2003.

* Address reprint requests to Dr Shiiya, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hokkaido University Hospital, N14W5, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8648, Japane-mail: shiyanor@med.hokudai.ac.jp
'//-->

In Takayasu arteritis recurrent brain ischemia, due to bypass graft failure, is frequent. Redo bypass grafting from the ascending aorta may be at risk if a failing but patent graft that is critical for brain blood flow is present, because partial clamping the ascending aorta may disturb graft flow if the ascending aorta is short. We report such a patient who successfully underwent redo bypass grafting from the descending aorta. In type I Takayasu arteritis, this operation may be valuable because the descending aorta is usually disease free and brain blood flow is maintained during the operation.

Myocardial Thievery: The Coronary-Subclavian Steal Syndrome

http://ats.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/81/1/386

Review

Myocardial Thievery: The Coronary-Subclavian Steal Syndrome

Thomas J. Takach, MD, George J. Reul, MD, Denton A. Cooley, MD * , J. Michael Duncan, MD, James J. Livesay, MD, David A. Ott, MD, Igor D. Gregoric, MD
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, Texas

* Address correspondence to Dr Cooley, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Texas Heart Institute, PO Box 20345, Houston, TX 77225. (Email: dcooley@heart.thi.tmc.edu
'//-->).

Coronary-subclavian steal syndrome entails the reversal of blood flow in a previously constructed internal mammary artery coronary conduit, which produces myocardial ischemia. The most frequent cause of the syndrome is atherosclerotic disease in the ipsilateral, proximal subclavian artery. Although coronary-subclavian steal was initially reported to be rare, the increasing documentation of this phenomenon and its potentially catastrophic consequences in recent series suggests that the incidence of the problem has been underreported and that its clinical impact has been underestimated. We review the causes and background of coronary-subclavian steal; methods of preventing, diagnosing, and treating it; and the potential influence of various treatment regimens on long-term survival and the likelihood of late adverse events in patients with coronary-subclavian steal syndrome.

TODAY'S WORD

From Joel & Victoria Osteen

Brighter Days Ahead

Today's Scripture

“The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day” (Proverbs 4:18, NLT).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

Are you facing a situation that seems dark today? As a believer, God promises that your path will shine brighter and brighter as you seek His Truth and righteousness in every situation. What is righteousness? Righteousness is simply being in "right standing" with God. Being in "right standing" with God is about submitting your life to Him. It's about obeying His commands and seeking His plan for your life on a daily basis. God wants to be involved in every detail of your life. It pleases Him when you come to Him. It pleases Him when you study your Bible and talk to Him in prayer. And just as the increasing light of the sun helps you see better in the natural, the increasing light of God's Word will guide you in every decision you have to make. No matter what you may be facing today, take time to ask the Lord to shine His light on your thoughts. Ask Him to confirm His plan for your today. Ask Him to shine the light of His Word in your heart so that you can clearly see the next step to take. As you continue pursing His Truth and Righteousness, you will experience more of His blessings and live the life of abundance that He has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today

God, I know that You have a wonderful plan and purpose for me. I want to be in "right standing" with You today. Show me your ways and teach me to walk righteously before you. Shine your light in my heart and give me strength and wisdom to pursue the path You have in-store for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING

From Dr. Val and the Voice of Reason Blog

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/blogs/valjonesmd?page=2

The Power of Positive Thinking
Posted on 07:49AM (EDT) on 2007-07-09

Norman Vincent Peale wrote a bestselling book in the 1950’s, “The Power of Positive Thinking.” I read it a few years ago and found it to be a tad simplistic but it had an undeniable point: a positive attitude is important in life.

In my last post I described the dangers of magical thinking – since it opens the door to pseudoscience-touting snake oil salesmen. But now we will turn our attention to positive thinking – a favorable psychological condition.

There is no doubt that there is a mind-body connection that affects health. “Type A personalities” are known to engage in behaviors that increase the risk for heart attack; anxiety and perceived stress can cause higher output of adrenaline and cortisol, and in turn contribute to inflammation, atherosclerosis, heart disease, sleep disturbances, and weight gain. Depressed individuals (for example) are more likely to suffer from pain syndromes, and may have impaired immune function.

Because our mind influences the health of our body, it is physically therapeutic to focus attention on peace of mind as a preventive health measure. And in so far as techniques are developed to reduce stress, decrease mental anguish, and improve psychological wellbeing – they are helpful in keeping the body in a healthier state.


Now, the temptation is to exaggerate the benefits of peace of mind – that one might be able to avoid cancer (for example) with the right attitude, which is blatantly false. So this is where positive thinking and magical thinking can be confused. Magical thinking ascribes excessive value to a treatment, while positive thinking understands the limitations of treatments and yet respects the reality of the mind-body connection.

Let’s consider back pain, for example. A magical thinker would look for the “secret cure” for their back pain, and turn over every stone – fully anticipating that he would discover a miracle solution that others don’t know about. He would read books promising the ultimate back treatment “that your doctor doesn’t want you to know about” and would spend a great deal of money on treatments that have been rumored to have some benefit in treating back pain (without any supporting evidence). The magical thinker is vulnerable to snake oil, and would rather risk thousands of dollars on experimental treatments than consider traditional modalities first.


A positive thinker, on the other hand, will realize that back pain is difficult to treat, has variable causes, and responds to different therapies based on an individual’s unique circumstances. A positive thinker would have a realistic view of recovery, would accept the limitations of therapeutic options, but would focus on his abilities rather than his disabilities and look for ways to make the best of his current circumstances. He would actively participate in physical activity, perhaps join a support group, get good rest and engage in a healthy lifestyle while working towards a brighter tomorrow one step at a time.

Definitions for clarity:

Snake oil is a treatment whose efficacy is knowingly exaggerated by those who wish to turn a profit on its sale. E.g. diet pills that will "miraculously correct morbid obesity in a matter of weeks."

A placebo is a treatment that has no known plausible mechanism for a physical effect - but may affect the individual through the mind-body connection. E.g. a sugar pill that is substituted for a pain killer may cause a patient to experience his pain differently, though there is no active ingredient in the pill.

An untested treatment is neither snake oil nor a placebo but could be used as either under certain circumstances. It is simply a proposed intervention of unclear clinical significance. There are many of these currently undergoing scientific review, and it takes patience to analyze their potential efficacy and safety.

A magical thinker is a person who is willing to accept snake oil as a valid treatment option for his condition despite a vast preponderance of evidence to the contrary. Magical thinking is belief-based, rather than evidence-based. Many very good and reasonable people are tempted to adopt magical thinking under duress.

A positive thinker is a person who choses to look for the positives in all circumstances, and approaches health with a can-do attitude. Realistic and yet optimistic, the positive thinker will focus on abilities rather than disabilities - and reach out for support as needed to optimize his psychological well being.

All of this is simply to say that a positive attitude, peace of mind, stress reduction techniques and a healthy lifestyle are an important foundation for good health. Placebos are most relevant for influencing psychological well being or pain perception (obviously they're not appropriate for treating infections, type 1 diabetes, and the like), and magical thinking and snake oil are dangerous hindrances to wellbeing. Stay positive and protect yourself from snake oil salesmen. Knowledge is power. There are voices of reason to guide you here at Revolution Health.


**Views expressed are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Revolution Health.**

ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE

Durable Remission in Patients with Refractory Takayasu’s Arteritis Treated with Infliximab or Etanercept (Remicade)

Durable Remission in Patients with Refractory Takayasu’s Arteritis Treated with Infliximab or Etanercept

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/quality/outcomes/rheumaticAndImmunologic/takayasutreatment.htm

Eamonn S. Molloy, Carol A. Langford, Tiffany M. Clark, Carmen E. Gota, Leonard H. Calabrese, Gary S. Hoffman

While up to 20% of Takayasu’s arteritis (TAK) patients have a monophasic illness, most have a relapsing/remitting course, typically requiring prolonged treatment with glucocorticoids and additional immunosuppressive agents, such as methotrexate, azathioprine and, in severe cases, cyclophosphamide. More than one-third of patients are unable to achieve adequate disease control on these therapies. As tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa) is critical for granuloma homeostasis and granulomatous inflammation is the pathologic hallmark of TAK, TNFa is an attractive therapeutic target in TAK; anti-TNF therapy has been employed in TAK patients with encouraging results.

We sought to assess the efficacy of anti-TNF therapy in patients with TAK refractory to other therapies. Twenty-eight TAK patients were identified as having received anti-TNF therapy; 3 patients were excluded because of insufficient follow-up data. No patient was in remission at the time of initiation of anti-TNF therapy; 13 had not achieved remission at any time since initial diagnosis. Twenty-five patients were treated with anti-TNF therapy for up to 6.5 years. Twenty patients were treated with infliximab (INF) with a mean follow-up of 27 months (range 2-76). Nine patients were treated with etanercept (ETA) with a mean follow-up of 33 months (range 4-78). Four patients received both agents (all initially treated with ETA, later switched to INF). No patients were treated with adalimumab.

Of 25 patients, 22 were female; mean age was 35 years (range 15-63). Patients’ ethnicities were Caucasian, 20, Asian,3, Hispanic,1, and one unknown. Median disease duration was 108 months (range 31-336). All patients were previously treated with prednisone and a mean of 2 additional immunosuppressive agents (range 0-6) including 22 methotrexate, 10 cyclophosphamide, and 12 with a variety of other agents.

Overall, prednisone was discontinued in 15/25 patients (60%) and tapered below 10 mg/day in a further 7/25 (28%). Median prednisone dose before and after anti-TNF therapy was 19 mg (range 5-90) and 0 mg (range 0-30). Nine out of 18 patients were able to taper or discontinue additional immunosuppressive agents used concurrently with the anti-TNF agent. Six patients had definite new changes noted on MR imaging (3 INF, 3 ETA); 5 patients entered remission on higher dose anti-TNF therapy. Three patients who stopped ETA had disease flares within a median of 2 months (range 1-2); 6/7 patients that stopped INF had disease flare at a median interval of 6 months (range 2-12); 1 patient recommenced INF treatment and achieved sustained remission.

Conclusions
In this group of TAK patients refractory to other immunosuppressive therapies, anti-TNF therapy led to complete or partial remission in 79% of patients. Anti-TNF therapy allowed prednisone to be discontinued or tapered in 60% and 28%, respectively. Of those patients taking concurrent immunosuppressive drugs other than prednisone, anti-TNF therapy allowed reduction of the dose of these agents in 50%. These findings provide further support for the rationale for randomized controlled trials of anti-TNF therapy in TAK.

THINGS THAT I AM HAPPY ABOUT

1. Chilled Watermelon
2. Rubber inflatable swimming pools
3. Play n Bounce place
4. Good Book
5. Creative ideas

UNWRITTEN VIDEO - NATASHA BEDINGFIELD

UNWRITTEN
By Natasha Bedingfield

I am unwritten,
Can't read my mind
im undefined
im just begining
the pen is in my hand
ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inner visions


Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten ,yeah

Oh, oh

I break tradition
Sometimes my tries
Are outside the lines, oh yeah
Within condition
To not make mistakes
But I can't live that way oh, oh

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inner visions

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten


Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inner visionnnnnnnnnns


Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten

AFFIRMATION OF THE DAY

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD - PAOLO NUTINI

FUNNY CARTOON OF THE DAY

TODAY'S WORD

Take Care of Yourself

Today's Scripture

“For God has bought you with a great price. So use every part of your body to give glory back to God because he owns it” 1 Corinthians 6:20 (TLB).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

There is no doubt that being in shape spiritually is the most important kind of fitness. But being in shape physically is very important as well. Some people know the Bible well - they pray often and they know what to do, but they don't have the physical energy to do anything at all. All three parts of your being - physical, emotional and spiritual - should be healthy and in sync for you to function most productively. Your body is the temple of the most high God, and you must honor Him with the care you take of it. Seek a balance, and try to be healthy and God-honoring in every part of life.

A Prayer for Today

God, thank You for giving me the ability to honor You with my body. Help me to take care of my body and make it a stronger and healthier temple for You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

LIVING WELL WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS

Article by Dr. Jackie Black
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Jackie_Black

Living with chronic illness impacts one’s physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Living with chronic illness often causes one to feel helpless and hopeless, discouraged and isolated. It can devastate one’s career and financial security, friendships and love relationships, creativity, concentration, motivation, and one’s very peace of mind.

It is important now and useful long-term, to remain as active, social, and productive as possible. That means focus on what you can do and let go of what you can no longer do. Create priorities for your body, mind, heart, and soul.

Ancient philosophers and healers recognized that the body and the mind were one. Modern research confirms this body/mind connection. In the last 15 years, Western medicine has coined a term for what the ancients knew: psychoneuroimmunology. Harvard Medical School now publishes a professional journal called Mind/Body Medicine. Studies show that improved physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being stimulate an innate healing response in the body. It is possible to create a healthier lifestyle that will promote wellness. The key is to balance the physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual aspects of your life.

Improving and maintaining physical well-being includes proper nutrition, rest, and exercise. It means carefully selecting the activities in which you participate and the people with whom you spend time to ensure that you are making good choices about expending energy and making the most of each day.

Paying attention to the psychological and emotional aspects of your life includes becoming a good observer of your thoughts, feelings, and how/what you feel in your body. This is a time to allow yourself to experience, examine, and express your thoughts and feelings in an honest and forthright way.

Accurately expressing yourself is one of the most important aspects of living with chronic illness. No one will know how you feel and what you can reasonably be expected to do or not do unless
you tell people directly. Value yourself and take ownership of your feelings, and thoughts, your resources and choices.

Honor and express your deepest truth and make what you say and how you say it match what you feel. Say your real “yes” and your real “no” and say what you feel without blaming or needing to please others. Don’t avoid saying what is in your heart or on your mind to say. Don’t hide your worries and concerns because you don’t want others to know you are not in control.

Accessing your spiritual nature can be as easy as watching the sunset or taking a walk through a beautiful garden. You might also consider meditation, yoga, chanting, or praying. Whether you call it God, the Universe, higher power, or “the force” a la Steven Spielberg, it is quite comforting and healing to experience the inner peace that is uniquely you.

Sitting in the quiet and allowing your attention to flow inward is very foreign to men and women in the Western world. It is, however, a fundamental practice if one is to develop and maintain health and well-being, inside and outside.

Human beings are resilient and adaptable. When faced with seemingly insurmountable tasks, we rise to the occasion. Chronic illness often motivates us to re-evaluate and reconsider every aspect of life; to review and change habits, goals, choices, and decisions.

This review includes everything from food choices, career/work, social relationships and recreational activities, to including naps and going to sleep earlier. Now is the time to create a more flexible schedule and intentionally pace yourself.

Determination and persistence will enable you to stay motivated through the tough times, and stay involved in activities that are meaningful and joyful. Maintaining your sense of humor is essential.

Invite people into your life who are kind, respectful, and compassionate. Stay away from well-meaning, well-intentioned people who have an agenda for you and can’t see you or hear you accurately.

This is the opportunity to create the changes in your life that will bring meaning to every day and cause you to choose and maintain a lifestyle that promotes and sustains your well-being: physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual.

While chronic illness may close some doors, it will no doubt open others. Take good care! You’re worth it. Remember, only YOU can make it happen!

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE DAY

THINGS THAT I AM HAPPY ABOUT

1. Fourth of July
2. Japanese and Korean soap dramas and foreign movies with English subtitles
3. Freshly cooked yellow corn
4. Water sprinklers on a hot summer day
5. Fridays

FUNNY CARTOON OF THE DAY

TODAY'S WORD

(www.joelosteen.com)

No Matter What

Today's Scripture

“I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel” Philippians 1:12 (ESV).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

We all could learn quite a bit from the apostle Paul. He was deliriously happy and joyous because of what Christ had done in his life. Even when he was chained and shackled in a dark prison because of his faith, Paul praised God and was excited to deliver his message of the gospel. He says in Philippians 1 that he knew he was suffering for a purpose and that he rejoiced because of the advancement of God's message even when he couldn't be out preaching the gospel. My friend, you can't defeat a person who gives God praise no matter what! And the best part is that God can work in your life the same way He worked in Paul's. God can turn some of the worst possible situations into some of the most worthwhile experiences if you have the right attitude. Praise God today . . . no matter what!

A Prayer for Today

God, I realize that You can take even my bad days and accomplish something great for Your glory. Thank You for the way You display Your power and love in my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Long-Term Survival After Surgical Treatment of Patients With Takayasu’s Arteritis

CLINICAL INVESTIGATION REPORTS

http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/108/12/1474

Tetsuro Miyata, MD; Osamu Sato, MD; Hiroyuki Koyama, MD; Hiroshi Shigematsu, MD; Yusuke Tada, MD

From the Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan. Dr Sato is presently at the Department of Surgery, Saitama Medical Center, Japan. Dr Tada is presently at the Second Department of Surgery, Yamanashi Medical University, Japan.

Correspondence to Dr T. Miyata, Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan. E-mail miyata-2su@h.u-tokyo.ac.jp
'//-->

Received February 6, 2003; de novo received April 10, 2003; revision received July 11, 2003; accepted July 11, 2003.

Background— Surgical interventions have been performed to ameliorate the complications of Takayasu’s arteritis. However, the efficacy of surgery to increase long-term survival has not been established.

Methods and Results— A retrospective review was performed on the survival of 106 consecutive patients with Takayasu’s arteritis who underwent surgical treatment during the past 40 years. Their ages ranged from 5 to 69 years (mean±SEM, 31.7±1.3 years). Survival was compared with the reported results of medically treated patients according to Ishikawa’s prognostic classification. There were 12 hospital deaths, and the remaining 94 patients were followed up from 8 months to 41.8 years (mean, 19.8 years). A serious long-term complication was anastomotic aneurysm, with a cumulative incidence at 20 years of 13.8%. Thirty-one late deaths were observed, and the major cause was congestive heart failure. The overall cumulative survival rate at 20 years was 73.5%. The prognostic classification by Ishikawa had little influence on the survival of surgically treated patients. For stage 3 patients, surgery seemed to increase survival; however, surgery-related complications conversely decreased the survival of stage 1 patients.

Conclusions— Surgery seems to increase the long-term survival of patients with stage 3 Takayasu’s arteritis, whereas conservative treatment is recommended for those with stage 1 or 2 disease. An anastomotic aneurysm may occur at any time after surgery, and regular follow-up using imaging modalities such as multi-detector CT, MRI, or ultrasonography at least once every several years for the rest of the patient’s life is mandatory for the early detection of anastomotic aneurysm.

TODAY'S WORD

Guard Against Bitterness

Today's Scripture
“When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown” Isaiah 43:2 (TLB).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

Have you ever experienced something that truly tested your faith, your joy and your convictions? We're not talking about just having a bad day or having to deal with difficult people - but enduring an intense situation that rocks you to your very core. When many people face such soul-searching events, they let their happiness and joy turn into bitterness and anger. Make sure this doesn't happen to you. Don't give the evil one the victory by becoming an ineffective Christian due to lingering bitterness. Even if you're being tested, God has promised to remain faithful. He is all-powerful, and He can pull you out of your troubles at any moment. Choose to remain faithful and joyous despite your present circumstances.

A Prayer for Today

God, please help me to trust You and not give in to bitterness or anger, even in the middle of my trials. Thank You for the promise of Your never-failing love. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Read another Word with Joel & Victoria

Comparative studies between Japanese and Korean patients: Comparison of the findings of TA

http://www.springerlink.com/content/w76u247v7263350h/

Comparative studies between Japanese and Korean patients: Comparison of the findings of angiography,HLA-Bw52, and clinical manifestations

(1) Michiyoshi Yajima1 , Ryutaro Moriwaki1, Fujio Numano1, Young B. Park2 and Young D. Cho3 Department of Internal Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, 113 Tokyo, Japan

(2) Department of Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea

(3) Department of Radiology, Kosin Medical Center, 600 Pusan, Korea

Summary

A Japan-Korea cooperative survey on Takayasu arteritis has shown some differences in the features between Japanese and Korean patients with this disease. In angiographic findings, Japanese patients more frequently had lesions at the aortic arch and/or its branches (58% of 75 cases), while, in Korean patients, the abdominal aorta is the site of relatively frequent lesions (30% of 112 cases). Higher occurrence ofHLA-Bw52 was found in Japanese patients in comparison with Korean patients (46% vs 15%). The presence ofHLA-Bw52, however, might have a close association with Takayasu arteritis in Korea as well as in Japan. The complications in 126 Japanese and 88 Korean patients were also compared. The complications occurring with higher frequency in Japanese patients were aortic regurgitation, ischemic heart disease, and visual disturbances, while, in Korean patients, the more frequent complications were renovascular hypertension as well as hypertension of some other etiology.

Key words Takayasu arteritis - Aortography - HLA-Bw52 - Aortic regurgitation

Source:

Journal: Heart and Vessels
Publisher: Springer Japan
ISSN 0910-8327 (Print) 1615-2573 (Online)
Issue: Volume 7, Supplement 1 / March, 1992
DOI
10.1007/BF01744553
Pages: 102-105
Subject Collection
Medicine
SpringerLink Date
Monday, June 20, 2005

TODAY'S WORD

Relax and Let God Work

Today's Scripture

“Cease striving, and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10 (NAS).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

Psalm 46:10 is a great Scripture to pray daily. Turn to it and read it before you make any decision. You'll be amazed at the insight you get from waiting on God instead of striving to find the answers on your own. Don't always react on your first impulse - instead, think about what God would want from you and realize that He is in control. You'll be able to see His hand working in just about any situation when you take a step back and realize it's not your plan, but His. When you're absolutely confused, worried and don't have a clue what to do, relax for a minute and let God work. Don't let panic or worry guide your decisions when God is ready to help you.

A Prayer for Today

God, thank You for remaining in control even when I'm worried or stressed. Give me Your supernatural wisdom to make decisions that honor You and are for my good. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

LAUGHING BABIES VIDEO

Comprehensive Evaluation of Cardiovascular Complications in a Patient with Takayasu´s Arteritis

http://www.medical.siemens.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SMStandardContentView?storeId=10001&langId=-11&amp;amp;amp;amp;catalogId=-11&catTree=100001,18024,17997&pageId=53145&uCatTree=100004*3281799139*477251247
Authors:

Joon-Beom Seo, M.D.,

Tae-Hwan Lim, M.D.,

Department of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine,

Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea

History:

A 50-year-old female patient with a history of known Takayasu´s arteritis was presented with chest discomfort. The patient was diagnosed of Takayasu´s arteritis 20 years ago. She underwent coronary bypass graft surgery 10 years ago for diffuse narrowing of left main (LM), proximal left anterior descending (LAD), and proximal left circumflex (LCx). MSCT examination is requested by the cardiologist for evaluation of her cardiovadcular status.

Diagnosis and Comments:

ECG gated coronary CTA shows patent venous bypass graft which originates from ascending aorta and is anastomosed to distal LAD and diagonal branch [1]. Also shown is diffuse narrowing of left main coronary artery, proximal LAD, and LCx [2]. Non-gated CTA scan obtained immediately after coronary CTA without additional contrast agent shows total occlusion of left subclavian artery, and diffuse severe narrowing of left common carotid artery (LCC) [3]. The LCC originates anomalously from the right brachiocephalic trunk. Diffuse calcification of descending thoracic aorta with narrowing and dilation is also noted, which is the late manifestation of Takayasu´s arteritis. Thin slab MIP image [4] shows occlusion of left lower lobar pulmonary artery due to pulmonary arterial involvement of Takayasu´s arteritis. Also seen are tortuous bronchial arteries and many mediastinal small collaterals entering into left hilum to supply left lower lobe [5]. In the abdomen, mild narrowing of abdominal aorta with calcification at the level of renal artery origin is noted [6].

[1] VRT image shows patent venous bypass graft anastomosed to the distal LAD (arrow) and to diagonal branch (arrowhead) .

[2] VRT image shows diffuse narrowing of left main coronary artery (arrow), proximal LAD (thin arrow), and LCx (arrowhead) .

[3] Narrowing of left common carotid artery (arrow) and total occlusion of left subclavian artery (arrowhead) are seen.

[4] Sagittal slab MIP image shows total occlusion of left lower lobar pulmonary artery.

[5] VRT image shows dense calcification encircling the descending thoracic aorta (arrow) and multiple mediastinal collaterals (arrowheads) .

[6] VRT image of abdominal aorta shows mild narrowing of abdominal aorta with calcified patch at mid level. Diffuse narrowing of right external iliac artery is noted.

Siemens SOMATOM Sensation 16

Scan 1: CTA Coronary

Scan 2: Aorta

HANG ON LITTLE TOMATO

HANG ON LITTLE TOMATO

The sun has left and forgotten me
It’s dark, I cannot see
Why does this rain pour down
I’m gonna drown
In a sea
Of deep confusion

Somebody told me, I don’t know who
Whenever you are sad and blue
And you’re feelin’ all alone and left behind
Just take a look inside you and you will find

If you listen to your heart the whole night through
Your sunny someday will come one day soon to you

AFFIRMATION OF THE DAY

I meet my fear, pain or other emotions I tend to escape.
I thank the people or events that brought them up.

FUNNY CARTOON OF THE DAY

TODAY'S WORD

Go Ahead and Grow

From Joel & Victoria Osteen

joelosteen.com

Today's Scripture
“God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” Philippians 2:13 (NLT).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

Nothing can change God's love for you. He wants the best for you and desires for you to grow spiritually. God says in the Bible that His plans and purposes for your life are wonderful - and nothing can stop the almighty God from accomplishing great things through you! God orders certain circumstances in your life He knows will be a challenge and cause you to grow in your faith. God loves you far too much to leave you where you are. So why settle for a middle-of-the-road life when you can cross the finish line victoriously! God continually works in you to give you the power for abundant living -so believe it, receive it and use it mightily for Him!

A Prayer for Today

God, I'm so glad that You love me too much to leave me where I am. Help me to live in the obedience and victory that I know are Your desire for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

TODAY'S WORD

From Joel & Victoria Osteen
joelosteen.com

God is at Work for You

Today's Scripture

“I know what I am planning for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future” Jeremiah 29:11 (NCV).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

Too often, we think God is just out there - watching and waiting for us to get things right. God is a big God, but He loves you and He wants to help bring the best things possible into your life. God is at work in your life each and every day, blessing you and preparing you for great and wonderful things that you can’t even imagine! Your entire perspective will radically change when you realize God is in your everyday experiences. Even when we are not completely faithful to Him, He is always faithful to us! Make God your hope and rely solely on Him, and He’ll faithfully work things out that will bless you, protect you and encourage you!

A Prayer for Today

God, thank You for always having my best in mind. I know that You love me and want the best for Your children. Help me to be faithful to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE DAY: CORINNE BAILEY RAE

SCIENCE NEWS BREAKTHROUGHS IN GENETICS

http://www.hhmi.org/news/seidman20070608.html

June 08, 2007

Sensitive Genetic Analysis Reveals Vast Changes Associated with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

The one-gene, one-disease concept is elegant, but incomplete. A single gene mutation can cause many other genes to start—or stop—working, and it may be these changes that ultimately cause clinical symptoms. Identifying the complete set of affected genes used to appear impossible. Not anymore.

Studying genetically modified mice, researchers led by Christine E. Seidman, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator at Brigham and Women's Hospital, and her husband Jonathan G. Seidman, who is at Harvard Medical School, have identified hundreds of genes with altered expression in preclinical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The study, which is coauthored by colleagues at Harvard Medical School, is published in the June 9, 2007, issue of the journal Science. The discovery could help scientists define the pathways that lead to the disease and lead to the discovery of targets for early detection, prevention, and treatment.


“Some of these low-abundant molecules may be very important in altering cell biology in ways that may be part of the root cause, or a compensatory response to very early manifestations of disease.”
Christine E. Seidman

To obtain a complete picture of the genetic changes associated with the disease, the researchers developed a new gene sequencing technique called polony multiplex analysis of gene expression, or PMAGE. The technique can find messenger RNA transcripts—the directions for making a protein, spun out from the DNA of an active gene—that occur as rarely as one copy for every three cells.

To use PMAGE, researchers attach short sequences (called tags) cut from mRNAs to tiny beads. This tag is amplified, so that each bead contains millions of copies of the same mRNA tag sticking out from it like a minuscule Koosh ball. All of the beads — now called polonies (short for polymerase chain reaction of colonies) — are placed in one layer onto glass, and all of the tags are sequenced simultaneously. A computer program then matches the tags to known genes. The more tags associated with a gene, the higher the expression of that gene.

The industry standard for gene sequencing is serial active gene expression, or SAGE. "There are a couple of labs that have been dedicated to developing this technology," Seidman said, including HHMI investigator Bert Vogelstein at Johns Hopkins and George Church at Harvard. But PMAGE analysis costs between 1/20 and 1/9 of a comparable SAGE analysis, making it more appropriate for the kind of large-scale expression profiling undertaken in this study, she explained. "With SAGE, you can't afford to sequence 4 million transcripts."

Using PMAGE, the researchers compared a healthy group of mice to a group with a genetic mutation that causes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) after about 25 weeks of age. In people with HCM, the heart muscle thickens and fails to relax normally after contraction. HCM is the most common cause of sudden death in athletes.

Seidman's group used cardiac tissue from 8-week-old mice to create two PMAGE libraries totaling 4.4 million mRNA tags. They found 706 genes that were overactive or underactive in HCM mice, compared with normal mice. Some genes already have been linked with HCM or heart development. Others are new to the scene.

Overactive genes included:

Nppa (natriuretic peptide precursor a), which encodes atrial natriuretic peptide, or ANP. This protein is an important marker for HCM.

Ctgf (connective tissue growth factor), Tgfß1 (transforming growth factor beta-1), and Postn (periostin), powerful regulators of fibrosis and collagen deposition. The early activation of these genes indicates that fibrosis is probably a primary contributor to heart dysfunction, not a reaction to other changes.

Vgll2 (vestigial-like 2 homolog) and Egr3 (early growth response-3), transcriptional regulators involved in the fetal development of the heart muscle

Nr1h3 (nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group h, member 3) and Nfkbie (nuclear factor kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B cells inhibitor epsilon), which have never before been linked with HCM

Underactive genes included:

Hod (homeobox-only protein) and Hand2 (hand and neural crest derivatives 2), transcriptional regulators involved in the fetal development of heart muscle

Abcc9 (adenosine triphosphate cassette subfamily C member 9), which encodes part of the cardiac potassium channel. This channel helps to regulate calcium balance. Mice who lack Abcc9 develop arrhythmias and myocardial calcium overload.

Sln (sarcolipin) and Pln (phospholamban), which regulate calcium uptake into muscle cells

"It's important that we could statistically quantify changes even in genes with very low expression levels," Seidman said. "Some of these low- abundant molecules may be very important in altering cell biology in ways that may be part of the root cause, or a compensatory response to very early manifestations of disease."

Seidman is now repeating the PMAGE sequencing using tissue from younger mice. "We want to get at the drivers of the pathology," Seidman said. "HCM largely affects structural proteins, and we don't really understand how a change in one protein affects the cascade that ultimately affects physiology. If we do this sequencing early enough, we'd like to think we'll see signals that point us to something that is fundamentally changing the whole downstream cascade."

Discovering those fundamental drivers of change could result in targeted therapies to halt HCM in its tracks, or even prevent it altogether.

"We're doing this in a mouse right now, but we have access to tissue from human patients," Seidman said. "With the deep, rich analysis we obtain from a biopsy or resection, we can jump into understanding the human biology of heart disease quite quickly."

-------------

February 27, 2005

Tailing the Cause of a Rare Heart Disease

Using genetic analyses and the translucent tail of a fish, researchers have pinpointed the underlying cause of a rare, mysterious heart disease that is preceded by hearing loss. Discovering the genetic cause of this disease provides researchers with a wealth of new ideas about the molecules involved in building the developing heart, as well as how diseases weaken heart muscle.

In an advance online publication on February 27, 2005, in the journal Nature Genetics , Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigators Christine E. Seidman and Jonathan G. Seidman and their colleagues identified the mutation that causes the disorder, dilated cardiomyopathy preceded by sensorineural hearing loss. The Seidmans and their colleagues at Harvard Medical School collaborated with researchers at University Hospital Würzberg in Germany, Massachusetts General Hospital, Children's Hospital Boston and The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Britain.

“The finding that transcriptional regulation goes awry in this disorder gives us a top-down look at the molecules that must be appropriately expressed and regulated for normal function of the heart throughout life.”Christine E. Seidman

In dilated cardiomyopathy, muscle weakness causes the left ventricle to stretch. As a result, the heart becomes enlarged to the point where it can no longer pump blood efficiently. In earlier studies of patients with cardiomyopathy preceded by hearing loss, the Seidmans and their colleagues identified a region of chromosome 6 as the location of the culprit gene.

In the latest study, they sought to pinpoint the gene and identify the mutation that was responsible. A search of the human genome database identified candidate genes in the region, and subsequent tissue analysis revealed that one gene, called EYA4 , was expressed in both the heart and the cochlea of the ear. The researchers confirmed that affected people possess a characteristic mutation of the EYA4 gene, a finding which offered surprises, said Christine Seidman.

"The EYA4 gene had been implicated in hearing loss before, but in none of the patients where mutations had been characterized had there ever been an abnormality of the heart reported," she said. The Seidmans also found that the gene was expressed in adult heart tissues, which is unusual because other EYA gene family members are thought to function primarily during development.

Curiously, the gene does not code for a structural protein involved in known myocyte functions such as contraction, as is the case with other mutations that cause cardiomyopathies. Rather, EYA4 codes for a protein involved in activating other genes—controlling the copying, or transcription, of genetic information to messenger RNA that carries that genetic blueprint to the cell's protein-making machinery.

To confirm that the mutant EYA4 does indeed cause cardiomyopathy, the researchers turned to the zebrafish, whose genetic machinery for cardiovascular development closely resembles that of mammals. In their experiments with the fish, they used antisense genetic techniques to reduce the fish's production of eya4 protein and measured the resulting changes to the heart. The treated fish developed swelling of the heart ventricle that suggested cardiac dysfunction. High-speed video of the fish's beating heart—visible because the fish are translucent—indicated that the pumping function of the heart was dramatically reduced.

However, the researchers turned to the fish's translucent tail to confirm independently that blood flow was, indeed, reduced in the treated fish. "Since the cardiac imaging of zebrafish remains technically challenging," said Seidman, "we devised a means of tracking the movement of a single red blood corpuscle through the tail to assess flow. That analysis revealed a dramatically lower pumping velocity in the treated fish and provided a functional readout of heart performance," she said.

To understand the molecular mechanism by which the mutant eya4 protein might compromise cardiac function in humans, the researchers compared its function with that of other mutant forms that only caused hearing loss. They found that the mutant protein that caused both cardiomyopathy and hearing loss lacks a region necessary for the protein to attach to other proteins that help it enter the cell nucleus. Only if the eya4 protein enters the nucleus can it play the appropriate role in gene regulation, said Seidman.

"That finding suggests that this mutation causes a dramatic reduction in the amount of eya4 within the nucleus, and we presume that is what accounts for heart disease," said Seidman. "The implication of this finding is that the function of eya4 in the heart may be different than its functions in other tissues, such as the ear.”

Although the researchers' findings will not aid treatment of the cardiomyopathy immediately, said Seidman, they do offer the potential for important basic insights into the mechanisms of cardiomyopathies.

"Whenever a new disorder affecting the human population is identified, it adds new basic knowledge to the field of medicine," she said. "And sometimes rare disorders such as this one can provide very powerful insights into the biology of more common problems. In this case, the finding that transcriptional regulation goes awry in this disorder gives us a top-down look at the molecules that must be appropriately expressed and regulated for normal function of the heart throughout life."

DON'T GIVE UP

QUOTE OF THE DAY

When challenged to wait,

I learn how to wait and make good use of the time.

If no messages or directions about what to do next come up,

I am peaceful as I wait for the right timing of things.

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE DAY

Large Study Finds 12 New Disease-Related Genes

24 Genetic Risk Factors Tied to 7 Common Illnesses, British Scientists Say

LONDON - The largest ever study of genes in disease has found 24 genetic risk factors — half of them completely new — linked to seven common conditions, British scientists said on Wednesday.

It represents the biggest single haul of disease-associated genes so far, underlining an accelerating pace of discovery that will help researchers unpick the fundamental biology of major illnesses and may lead to more effective drugs.

Last week, researchers found a big batch of breast cancer genes and two months ago scientists identified a gene that contributes to obesity.

“We are just scratching the surface,” Peter Donnelly of the University of Oxford, who led the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium behind the project, told reporters.

“What will happen over the next couple of years, as these sorts of studies are extended, is that our understanding of the genetics of common diseases will change enormously.”

Scientists have known for years that genes, along with environmental factors, play a role in increasing the risk that people will develop problems like heart disease.

But they are still trying to work out which parts of the genome — the 3 billion sub-units of DNA in our cells — are actually responsible.

To find out more, Donnelly and colleagues from 50 research groups examined 500,000 genetic markers from each of 17,000 individuals, comparing the genomes of diseased and healthy volunteers.

Their findings, published in the journals Nature and Nature Genetics, included the discovery of four new chromosome regions containing genes that can predispose to type 1 diabetes and three new genes for Crohn’s disease, the most common form of inflammatory bowel disease.

They also found genetic links to coronary artery disease and hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, bipolar disorder and type 2 diabetes.

New ideas for treatment

Significantly, many of the genes found were in areas of the genome not previously thought to have been related to the conditions, opening up completely new options for treatment.

In the case of Crohn’s disease, they uncovered the importance of a process known as autophagy, or “self eating,” which cells use to clear unwanted material, such as bacteria. John Todd of the University of Cambridge said this could be key to explaining the role gut bacteria play in the condition.

Scientists also, for the first time, found a gene linking Crohn’s and type 1 diabetes.
The overall increase in risk of disease conferred by the various genetic risk factors was between 1.2 and 1.5 times, suggesting routine testing is not worthwhile.

But Mark Walport, director of the Wellcome Trust medical charity, said there was a clear need for more research in even bigger projects, such as the UK Biobank scheme, which aims to test the DNA of half a million volunteers.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19074222/wid/11915773?GT1=10109