What is Spondylolisthesis?
Spondylolisthesis is a condition involving the spine or the vertebrae characterized by either a backward or forward displacement in relation to the spine under it. Slippage of spine in Spondylolisthesis more commonly occurs at L5 S1 or the base of the spine in the region of the lumbar although the slippage may also occur in other areas or in higher levels of the spine.
Spine or the vertebral column has a vital function in human. The spine serves in providing support and maintaining balance while keeping an upright position while it also allows for motion in flexible manner in humans. The spine also functions in protecting several nerves of the internal organs of the body including the roots and spinal cord. The spine has different specific functions relative to its main regions. The cervical spine is the region of the spine found at the neck that composed of seven vertebrae. Cervical spine functions mainly in allowing movement of the head while supporting the skull and protecting the spinal cord and the brain stem. The next region of the spine is the thoracic spine which consists of twelve vertebrae. The thoracic spine together with the rib attachments provides for stability while protecting the vital organs together with the rib cage. The third region of the spine is the lumbar spine that composed of five vertebrae. The function of which is to hold the weight of the human body in which the shape and size of each lumbar vertebrae is designed to function. Sacral spine or the sacrum is the fourth region of the spine that fuses the spine with the pelvis while the last area of lumbar spine or L5 moves with the help of the sacrum.
It is important that the anatomy of the spine be understood by patient suffering from spondylolisthesis. It is for them to understand the importance of the spine and the pain associated with the condition so as to give importance and seek prompt medication and prevent possible complication or severe damage with the spine if the condition is left untreated otherwise, may pose potential fatality to patient.
Symptoms of Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis can occur without any symptoms and patient suffering from may not know that they already have the condition. The symptoms however, when they occur, can go from mild to moderate and the usual onset initially is with lower back pain. The lower back pain normally radiates to the lower back with pain felt similar to a muscle strain. The lower back pain is also associated with a shooting pain radiating from the buttocks to the thigh that passes trough the sciatic nerve. A change in posture and gait is noticeable as a result of hamstring tightening and stiffening of the back. Tingling and numbness may also be felt in the lower leg while the pain in the lower back can be exaggerated with coughing or sneezing. Assuming a standing position coming from a sitting position can be difficult due to pain.
Multiple factors are considered for the cause of spondylolisthesis and the condition was classified into five major types according to its cause and these are the following:
Degenerative spondylolisthesis is among the common form of spondylolisthesis which often results from aging when the disc that cushions the vertebral bones becomes less spongy with lessened ability in resisting movement from the vertebrae. The resulting spondylolisthesis is mainly the result of changes in the joints from degeneration which is normal in the aging process. This form is common in older people as a result of normal wear and tear brought by aging.
Congenital or dysplastic spondylolisthesis is a form of spondylolidthesis that is present at birth. The slippage and displacement in the spine is the result of an aberration in the formation of bone during the fetal development in the womb. The aberration in the formation of the bone in fetus during its development is potentially at risk for slippage as the child grows and develops. The malformation in this form of spondylolisthesis is usually located in the lumbosacral junction.
Isthmic spondylolisthesis is the result of a defect in the pars interarticularis. This form of spondylolisthesis is prevalent in athletes as isthmic spondylolisthesis is usually the result of repetitive trauma that is usual in contact sports that most athletes encounter including the hyperextension that they usually do with their sports.
Traumatic spondylolisthesis is a form of spondylolisthesis that resulted from a direct injury to the vertebrae. This is a very rare form of spondylolidthesis that is due to a fracture in the pars interarticularis or the posterior facets resulting to a forward slip or displacement in relation to the rear segment of the vertebrae.
Pathologic spondylolisthesis is a form of spondylolidthesis that is caused by a bone deformity that resulted from tumor growth and metastases or any metabolic disease of the bone. Spondylolisthesis of this form is often seen in patients suffering from giant cell tumors and those with Piaget’s bone disease including tuberculosis.
The initial step in diagnosing spondylolisthesis is through taking of medical history of the patient. Doctors usually and take note of the signs and symptoms and its severity including any medications taken. Familial medical history is also being considered including activities that could contribute to complains of pain in the lower back and legs.
Physical examination is also applied especially considering the limitations in movements including the pain perceived and difficulty in balancing and posture and gait. Other signs for neurological damages are also being noted to rule out spondylolisthesis or any other condition that is causing the chief complains of lower back pain and leg pain.
Diagnostic test in confirming spondylolisthesis is done with recommendation of imaging test initially with x-ray in ruling out tumor growth and infection. Identifying nerve compression linked to spondylolisthesis can be verified utilizing MRI or computed tomography scan. PET scan is also useful especially in identifying the activeness in the affected bone.
Spondylolisthesis has a good prognosis and usually respond to conservative treatment without recurrence. The mode of treatment however, depends on the cause of the condition and the severity of the symptoms in which the goal of treatment is through alleviation of symptoms while preventing further complications. Factors are considered prior to application of treatment such as the age of the patient, the over-all health status, severity of symptoms and the extent of slip or displacement.
Conservative treatment for spondylolisthesis includes sufficient rest for patient. Discontinuation of rough activities or any other activities especially those requiring hyperextension movements are prescribed for a period of time or until the condition has completely resolved. Medication is included in the conservative treatment especially in the alleviation of pain. Over-the-counter pain reliever especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen and naproxen can help in relieving the symptoms of pain. Epidural steroid injection is beneficial to patient with severe pain and with numbness and tingling sensation in the legs. Hyperextension brace is beneficial to patients suffering from isthmic spondylolisthesis. This type of brace allows for healing to occur by binding together the defective bone to the unaffected. The back brace also allows for stability of the lower back while the pain is also being reduced.
This is beneficial in strengthening the abdominal and back muscle while diminishing bony movement in the spine which can aggravate more the pain and displacement. Physical therapy specially utilizes stabilization exercises that are generally prescribed at eight to twelve weeks in aggressive treatment to achieve the optimum improvement of overall health and stability of the patient in terms of spinal use and functions.
Surgical intervention is advised for patient with severe pain and continuous spine slippage even after conservative management has been applied. The goal in this mode of management in spondylolisthesis is to relieve symptoms unresponsive to conservative treatment and stabilizing spine slippage while restoring the normal function of the patient. Decompressive laminectomy is done to generate more room for the nerve being compressed with spinal fusion follows to create stability in spine through use of screws or rods to grip the vertebra firmly while in the process of healing.
Meyerding grading system is the method used for identifying the extent and severity of slip in the spine which can range from mild to severe and with grading from I to IV respectively.
Grade I is from 0 to 25% of slippage
Grade II is from 25 to 50% of slippage
Grade III is from 50 to 75% of slippage
Grade IV is from 75 to 100% of slippage
Both Grade I and Grade II generally do not require surgical intervention while Grade III and Grade IV may require surgery which may have persistent symptom of pain and presence of slip in the spine.


Towns are the smallest settlement that we’re likely to create files of information about and draw on maps. They differ from villages not only in size but competition and backup resources; to use the example from the previous section, multiple carpenters or blacksmiths if one dies. Our traveling characters are unlikely to get away with bartering their services for fare and lodging, unless the skill is something rare, like wizardry, healing, or specialized engineering skills. The variety of people and skills tends to raise the quality of everything, including town walls, gates, tools, buildings, food, clothing, and other merchandise.
The amount of crime will depend partly on population size and character, and which species are here. While some diversity of species can exist, one tends to be a majority and others less well represented. Smaller towns mean less anonymity, so if someone steals something and tries to sell it to someone else or wears/uses it, this is more likely to be noticed unless sold to visitors who leave before wearing it. Conversely, a business can cheat people more easily with the lack of oversight, regulation, and laws found in a city. Corrupt officials might also hold considerable power, intimidating residents and visitors alike; the towns in Hollywood westerns come to mind.
A town often has formal guards who report to someone. This is one reason that taxes are almost a certainty, as these professionals need to be paid somehow. We can imagine a skilled swordsman from a village wanting to be paid for his services and moving to a nearby town, maybe even to a city. In addition to guards (who act like police), specialized forces might be here and will depend on terrain; horsemen, knights, and archers are some skilled positions in fantasy, while sharpshooters and pilots are likely in SF, and we can invent others to go with technological weapons or defenses we create. The larger the town, the more likely a wall, and its height, materials, and the prevalence of archer towers, for example, also rises. Some buildings might lie outside the wall due to the town’s continuing expansion after it went up. In a world where flight is common, newer walls might be rare, since they can be flown over.
A town will have considerable farming nearby and needs a larger source of drinking water, so these are often by rivers and lakes. They may employ irrigation. In our modern world, farmers don’t get much respect, which is partly an effect of population size and industry making it easier to take our food for granted. In less civilized worlds, the importance of farmers and effects of floods or drought are harder to overlook. Especially in smaller settlements, any town council will likely focus in part on farming issues, and life will revolve around agricultural events like the planting or harvest. When inventing plants and animals for our setting, as covered in Creating Life (The Art of World Building, #1), we may wish to decide if farmers can grow a crop and what the harvest cycle is.
A mayor and formal town council may exist, with individuals appointed by vote, reputation, or prominence, which could be influence, wealth, or land ownership. A family can hold sway over generations, too, for better or worse, and may be the ones whose name graces the town or areas of it. Larger towns are sometimes divided into wards, with each such neighborhood bearing a name and having a representative on a ruling council. Zoning also occurs, but this typically occurs as the settlement grows so that the oldest areas are more likely to be mixed use than later additions.


Athletes feel first-hand how their overall performance can be affected by an improper diet. They have a heightened need for calories compared to the average person. If you’re an athlete who neglects good nutrition then it’s important to really understand how it can impact your performance.
A sufficient amount of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats provide athletes with the fuel they need to maintain energy, and ultimately pace. Specifically, carbohydrates are vital for preventing muscle fatigue, while fat provides essential fatty acids. These fatty acids can provide up to 75 percent of the energy endurance athletes need for long-term aerobic performance. Lastly, protein helps the body build new tissue and is also used as an energy source.
Maintaining a healthy weight is extremely important when you’re an athlete especially if you compete in sports that are weight sensitive like wrestling. Severely restricting calories is definitely not your best option if you’re trying to lose weight. It’s dangerous for your body and it can also negatively impact your overall athletic performance. Instead, it’s a better idea to slowly restrict your calorie intake, which can be done easily by utilizing services such as Performance Food.
Hydration is extremely important when you’re participating in a sport or doing any kind of physical exercise.Dehydration is a major concern if you’re engaged in any physical activity in a hot climate. If you are, you will need to increase your water intake, which is the usual “go to” drink for staying hydrated. However, if you’re doing intense activity for over an hour, drinking sports drinks may yield the highest benefit, due to it replacing your lost electrolytes.
Your nutrition should be one of your top priorities, especially if you’re not currently meeting your energy needs. However, most athletes fail to consume enough fluids and nutritious foods both before and after participating in an activity. If this is the case for you personally, consider getting on a Performance Food meal package.


Maintaining control of your anger takes patience and consistent practice – but the benefits can last a lifetime. Anger is a useful emotion when it’s expressed appropriately – for instance, you can address an injustice by using assertive communication and problem-solving techniques.
Yet anger can become a problem if it becomes a habitual reaction to all of life’s challenges, and leads to aggressive behaviour.
Frustration, loss and hurt are a part of life: but reacting in anger whenever you feel upset can do untold damage to your relationships, career and health.
If you often get uncontrollably angry, putting yourself and people you care about at risk, it may be time to seek support. Use our anger checklist to measure your anger levels, and identify areas for improvement in anger management skills.
1. Check your self-talk
Research shows that the thoughts that race through our mind when feeling angry, threatened or defensive have a direct effect on our behavioural reaction to an external event.
Negative self-talk (underpinned by beliefs we’ve formed about ourselves and others that are based on past experiences) can lead to angry outbursts or sullen withdrawal. These behaviours can wreak havoc in our personal and professional lives if left unchecked.
Consider the messages you give yourself when you are angry. Think about whether they are factual, biased or exaggerated.
A key component of effective anger management is transforming your inner dialogue. If you tend to default to negative, angry thinking habits, cognitive-behavioural therapy can help you to shift into a calmer, more rational mindset when confronted with upsetting situations and interactions.
2. Check over your history of anger
Take a moment to reflect on your past. Start by considering different situations when you lost your temper or behaved aggressively.
Below are some questions to get you thinking about what drives your anger – and what triggers it:
- Are there particular memories or relationships that you still feel angry about and haven’t been able to resolve?
- Do you tend to blame other people or events for your anger?
- Worry, stress and sadness often accompany anger – what other emotions come up when you feel angry?
- Can you see any patterns to your behaviour?
- Do certain relationships or situations provoke your anger time and again?
Sometimes people feel angry but can’t always pinpoint why; their family and friends may just experience them as volatile and unpredictable.
If you’re finding it hard to identify what triggers your anger, this 5-minute quiz presents a range of hypothetical anger-inducing situations, and gives valuable feedback about whether your anger-based reactions may be problematic:
It’s common for people to react angrily whenever they’re feeling stressed or defensive, but when angry outbursts become the default behaviour long after the original cause of anger is forgotten, it’s time to seek help.
Counselling can help you to learn how to express your anger safely, by revealing more about your anger style, it’s origins, and alternative approaches to managing your emotional responses.
3. Check in with family, friends and workmates
Ask anyone who has seen you angry how they feel about the experience. You may be surprised how much of an impact your anger has on them.
Take their responses seriously, and consider the cost of behaving aggressively and its impact on other people.
Did you jeopardise your job?
Have relationships been damaged?
Have you hurt people? How has that affected trust and safety within the relationship?
What would your life and relationships look like if you didn’t react in anger any more?
You can avoid these kinds of destructive consequences in future by understanding and controlling your emotional reactions and behaviour.
Finding healthier ways to express yourself by communicating assertively and effectively with others is a great place to start.
4. Check out anger management counselling
If you would like to learn how to manage your anger and frustration effectively, specialist anger management counselling can help you take control of your thoughts, emotions and behaviour.
Anger management counselling is a safe, completely confidential way to explore the different ways anger may be affecting your life and relationships.
Sessions of counselling are tailored to meet your personal needs, and help you deal with both the happy and the tough times of life with a greater sense of clarity, calm, and emotional control.
Taking control of anger research resources
Epstein, N. B. (2016). Anger Management Self-Talk. Techniques for the Couple Therapist: Essential Interventions from the Experts, 111.
Henwood, K. S., Chou, S., & Browne, K. D. (2015). A systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of CBT informed anger management. Aggression and Violent Behaviour, 25, 280-292.
Lee, A. H., & DiGiuseppe, R. (2017). Anger and aggression treatments: A review of meta-analyses. Current Opinion in Psychology.
Shahsavarani, A. M., Noohi, S., Heyrati, H., Mohammadi, M., Mohammadi, A., & Sattari, K. (2016). Anger management and control in social and behavioural cciences: A systematic review of literature on the biopyschosocial model. International Journal of Medical Reviews, 3(1), 355-364.
Short, D. (2016). The evolving science of anger management. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 26(4), 450.


Purple deadnettle is an introduced invasive annual species that originates in Europe. It is now found in many US states (AK, AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MS, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV) and in Canada is found in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia (USDA 2010). In British Columbia, it is reported from southwestern BC. and a few interior locations. Two varieties of this species are reported in BC: var. incisum(sharp-toothed) and var. purpureum (round-toothed). Large purple flowering patches of this species are prominent in the spring in the Fraser Delta, in agricultural fields and along disturbed roadsides edges (late March, early April).
USDA. 2010. Plant profile for Lamium purpureum. United States Department of Agriculture. Available Online.
Click on the image below to view an
expanded illustration for this species.
General: Annual herb from a short taproot; stems branched from the base, reclining, inconspicuously hairy, 10-40 cm long, often somewhat purple tinted, 4-angled.
Leaves: Opposite, egg-shaped to almost round, 1-5 cm long, obtuse at tip, heart-shaped at base, margins toothed with rounded to somewhat sharp teeth; leaves all stalked, the stalks 1-3 cm long.
Flowers: Inflorescence of several axillary flower clusters at ends of branches; bracts leaf-like, but smaller than leaves and uppermost unstalked; corollas tubular, pink-purple, 10-15 mm long, longer than calyces, hairy outside, with or without a ring of hairs inside near the base, the hood-like upper lip 2-4 mm long; calyces tubular bell-shaped, 5-6 mm long, the slender teeth firm, unequal, somewhat spreading, about as long as the tube, hairy.
Fruits: Nutlets, 4 clustered together, three-angled, squared-off at tips.
Notes: Two varieties occur in BC. The var. incisum is usually considered to be of hybrid origin between L. moschatum Mill. and L. purpureum.
1. Leaves deeply sharp-toothed ..... var. incisum (Willd.) Pers.
Recommended citation: Author, Date. Page title. In Klinkenberg, Brian. (Editor) 2017. E-Flora BC:
Electronic Atlas of the Plants of British Columbia [eflora.bc.ca]. Lab for
Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British
Columbia, Vancouver. [Accessed:
20/07/2019 9:33:05 AM
The information contained in the E-Flora atlas pages is derived from expert
sources as cited in each section. This information is scientifically based.
E-Flora also acts as a portal to other sites via deep links. As
always, users should refer to the original sources for complete information.
E-Flora BC is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the


The use of a sword, wielded by hand, for attack and defence. Its origins lie in the military history of various societies—including England and Japan—with roots in chivalric codes of honour as well as military conflict. The foil, the épée, and the sabre have been the three predominant forms of weapon in fencing, and have their separate events in the Olympics for both men (from 1896) and women (from 1924). European nations, and the USA, have dominated the Olympic disciplines, and the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime was founded in Paris in 1913. Strong fencing competitors began to emerge from Central and South American countries as well as Asian ones, in the later 20th century. The International Fencing Federation, now based in Lausanne, Switzerland, oversees events at the world youth games, the Mediterranean Games, and world championships, as well as at the Olympic Games. Its aristocratic and soldierly legacy defies the federation's attempts to associate the sport with the youth of the world, though by the early 21st century there were 126 national associations affiliated to the federation. Fencing, as a form of swordsmanship, has an expansive history through numerous civilizations. In 17th-century imperial Japan, fencers, like archers but not so swiftly, moved ‘from mortal combat to sports competition to spiritual exercise’ (Allen Guttmann, Sports: The First Five Millennia, 2004).
Subjects: Sport and Leisure — Medicine and Health.


According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)– a diverse group of communicable diseases that prevail in tropical and subtropical conditions in 149 countries – affect more than one billion people and cost developing economies billions of dollars every year.
Populations living in poverty, without adequate sanitation and in close contact with infectious vectors and domestic animals and livestock are those worst affected.
On the eve before Christmas eve show this year, I play two interviews about two very important NTDs, both parasitic diseases–Chagas disease and schistosomiasis.
Hutchinson Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences at Loyola University New Orleans, Patricia Dorn, PhD talks about Chagas disease in this Mar. 2017 interview.
In the second half, Parasitology teacher and author of the book, Parasites: Tales of Humanity’s Most Unwelcome Guests, Rosemary Drisdelle discusses schistosomiasis in this interview earlier this year.
The Outbreak News This Week Radio Show, the first and only radio program dedicated to infectious disease and health news and information, airs every Sunday at 1 pm ET in the Tampa Bay area on AM 1380 The Biz and online at http://1380thebiz.com/
T-shirts, coffee mugs and other merchandise with a clean, computerized image of the three schistosomes. See more unique items with this design at Blood flukes in Black and White
- Fasciola hepatica: The sheep liver fluke
- Dicrocoelium dendriticum: The lancet liver fluke
- Paragonimus: A look at this parasitic lung fluke
- Clonorchis sinensis: The Chinese liver fluke
- Travel health: Philippines
- Pork tapeworm and cysticercosis


Hepatitis: What Is It?
Hepatitis is the term used to describe a nonspecific inflammation of the liver. The causes of hepatitis can be many, such as viral, parasitic, infiltrative, drug or alcohol induced, or non-specific. The initial clinical presentation of the acute phase of hepatitis may range from asymptomatic (without any noticeable signs) to severe fatigue, jaundice (yellow looking eyes or skin), nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
All patients whose laboratory values are monitored will have increases in their liver enzymes. This article will provide information about the pathophysiology, specific causes and treatments that are available both commercially or in current clinical trials for viral hepatitis A, B, and C, and drug/alcohol induced hepatitis.
So what is the liver and what does it do?
The liver is located in the right upper section of your abdomen, underneath your ribs. When the liver is enlarged (hepatomeglia) it can protrude below the rib cage and be tender to touch. The liver plays an important role as a detoxifier, by processing potentially harmful agents into chemicals that are safe for the body. The liver is also responsible for glucose metabolism, which is a source for energy, that our cells need (including the brain) to sustain life. Another function of the liver is to help control a portion of the pathway to allow our blood to clot when it needs to. The liver is considered to be part of the digestive system and controls the secretion of bile, an important enzyme that breaks down fats and starches from the foods that we eat.
What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis is a non-specific term that is used to describe an inflammation of the liver. It can be diagnosed after blood is obtained and shows an elevation in liver enzymes (also referred to as ALT and AST). Normal values for liver enzymes may vary from laboratory to laboratory.
Hepatitis A (HAV) is transmitted through oral-fecal contact. Acute HAV usually has an acute phase that lasts from 4-6 weeks with or without jaundice, fatigue and hepatomeglia. During this acute phase, individuals with a co-infection of human deficiency syndrome (HIV) may have a considerable drop in T-cell counts that will rebound in 6-12 weeks after acute infection. HAV is generally cleared from the body after 6 weeks. It may take months to recover from acute HAV.
Treatment for HAV is usually supportive care with rest, discontinuation of drug therapy until the acute phase is completed, at which time therapies may be restarted. Drinking plenty of water, bed rest and good nutrition are all essential for a complete recovery.
During the last year, a vaccination for HAV has become available and can be considered as preventive therapy in those patients with chronic terminal infections such as HIV infection. This may prevent potential infections for those individuals who may be immuno-compromised. Some insurance companies, health care facilities or studies may offer the vaccination free of cost to patients. Check with your health care provider.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a considerable health problem worldwide and a significant cause of liver disease and liver cancer in humans. HBV is readily transmitted via parenteral (sharing needles or a blood transfusion) and sexual routes, and as such, it commonly found in individuals who are coinfected with HIV. For the patient with HIV infection, a frequent outcome of HBV is becoming a chronic carrier. Chronic HBV occurs after an acute infection. Approximately 20% of the patients are unable to clear the virus. The infection may continue to develop an enlarged liver, liver failure and/or primary liver cancer.
Certain population groups are considered to be at high risk of HBV infection, including Native Alaskans, Pacific Islanders and infants born to women who are first generation immigrants from regions where HBV is very common. The risk for acquiring HBV through sexual contact is highest among homosexual men, those with multiple sexual partners and years of sexual activity. Unprotected heterosexual contact has also been linked to HBV transmission.
All blood and body fluids are considered to be potentially infectious. In infected patients, HBV particles have been found in saliva, semen and cervical secretions. Common modes of transmission include: accidental puncture of the skin with an infected needle, blood splashed in the eye or sharing of un-sterilized needles. Other modes include exposure to instruments while receiving tattoos, ear piercing or acupuncture as well as sharing razors or toothbrushes. It is believed that insects may also serve as vectors by either biting or contaminating food.
Hepatitis B can be found in any age group. The normal incubation period is 28 - 160 days. Patients may present with insidious symptoms such as, joint pain, rash, nausea, vomiting and less commonly jaundice.
Suppressive therapy for HBV becomes extremely important to prevent progression to cirrhosis, deterioration of the liver, liver cancer. Little data is available about HIV-infected patients with chronic HBV.
Data from several studies suggests that 3TC (Epivir) shows promise as an effective treatment for chronic HBV. Most of the data that is available addressing chronic HBV response with 3TC has been done in HIV negative patients. Little data is available in patients who are co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and chronic HBV.
Several reports have found early resistance to 3TC in non-HIV infected patients. Data from a study done on immunocompromised adults with chronic HBV showed a high incident of 3TC resistance. This may have implications for the concept of long-term virus-suppressive therapy of chronic HBV using 3TC monotherapy. Adefovir has shown activity against HBV in clinical trials.
Little data is available about hepatitis C. It has only been in the last several years that we could test for the presence of HCV through the use of PCR RNA testing. Many patients do not have the antibodies present to test positive on a HCV antibody testing and must be diagnosed by PCR. The route of transmission is still unclear. Several researchers believe it may be transmitted through blood exposure during recreational drug use. A co-infection in an HIV-infected patient with both HCV and HBV increases illness and/or death.
Several studies have evaluated the use of alpha interferon subcutaneously without a significant improvement in the patients disease status. However, a new clinical trial using alpha interferon and ribaviron is showing promise, but the results are still not known.
Hepatitis can be a direct result of taking drugs that may be required to treat another illness. Prompt evaluation of an increase in liver enzymes can lead to a diagnosis. Once diagnosed, further evaluation, discontinuation of the offending drug and close follow-up can be conducted.
Prevention is still the best intervention. Condom use during sexual encounters will help to decrease the risk of hepatitis B and has been shown to be effective. Thorough handwashing is an important first line prevention to protect transmission of most viruses. Little information is available about other causes of hepatitis. Studies need to be done to evaluate effective treatment for those individuals who are already infected with chronic disease.
What should I do?
1) When you have sex use a condom (male or female should protect you).
2) Wash your hands frequently.
3) Have regular visits to you health care practitioner to discuss safe sex, symptoms of hepatitis and have regular check ups.
Rostaing, L Henry S, Cisterne J-M, Duffaut M, et al. Efficacy and safety of lamivudine on replication of recurrent hepatitis B after cadaveric renal transplantation. Transplantation. Vol. 64. No11, Dec.15, 1997.
Honkoop P, Niesters H. De Man R. , et al. Lamivudine resistance in immunocompetent chronic hepatitis B. Journal of Hepatology. '97; 26: 1393-1395.
Back to the Women Alive Summer 1999 Contents Page.
This article was provided by Women Alive. It is a part of the publication Women Alive Newsletter.


Preparing tomorrow's engineers for the real world
Senior Project Manager
Costa Mesa, California
How do you give young engineering students the hands-on experience and skills that will help them assimilate quickly and productively into the working world? How do you get them to look beyond the technical and economic aspects of engineering to make them broader thinkers—to focus on the social, environmental and even political considerations involved in today's projects?
A unique public/private partnership in Orange County, California is successfully answering these questions. The engineering community has partnered with University of California, Irvine to form the UCI Civil and Environmental Engineering Affiliates, an organization working to ensure that future engineers learn the real-world skills that the profession needs.
The CEE Affiliates works on a multi-pronged approach with UCI to better prepare the engineers of tomorrow. Program elements include a yearlong capstone senior design course, instructors culled from the private sector, input on curriculum, research and lab support, and field trips to local projects.
Terry Hartman, vice president of community development for The Irvine Company and former president of CEE Affiliates, says that the organization has pushed for a curriculum that teaches teamwork in problem solving and improving communication skills to better prepare engineering students for what employers expect from entry-level engineers.
Jan Scherfig, professor of engineering and deputy chair of the department, calls the yearlong Senior Design Practicum, with its direct involvement by CEE Affiliates consulting firms, developers and public agencies, a "key educational component of our engineering program."
The course takes students out of the classroom and into the field, giving them the chance to apply their technical studies to real problems. In essence, the students form a consulting firm to solve problems brought by the "client" as specified in the course outline. Last year's assignment was based on plans for The Irvine Company's master-planned village of Quail Hill, giving students the opportunity to learn firsthand about community development design problems. Working in teams of four to five students each, they developed designs for pedestrian bridges, came up with plans for roundabouts at street intersections, and engineered plans for dealing with a hypothetical groundwater spoiling acid spill. During the exercise, the seniors learn how to look at the full picture, for instance how a drainage plan impacts street design and visa versa.
|Sam Ali, CEE Affiliates President, shows design drawing plans of the Palo Verde Student Housing Project at the University of California, Irvine to UCI students.|
The course culminates with each team presenting their designs to the CEE Affiliates in a planning commission-like setting. This experience fosters better public speaking skills, the ability to make effective PowerPoint presentations, and greater confidence in interfacing with people in the industry—their future employers.
In addition to direct involvement in the senior design course, CEE Affiliates members serve as lecturers in other courses, tying the theoretical and real-world components together in topics ranging from grading, drainage, soils and foundation structures to traffic engineering, water systems, environmental and land development engineering.
CEE Affiliates also serves as an "advisory committee" for the engineering department in reviewing course offerings and content. Nick Ahrontes, manager of operations and management for the Orange County Sanitation District, looks at membership as an excellent opportunity to influence academia on the needs of public agencies and the knowledge, skills and abilities they are looking for in future engineers. Being in the business of asset management, Ahrontes points out that public agencies need well-rounded engineers with an understanding of cradle-to-grave asset management.
Sam Ali discusses the tricks to balancing cut and fill on sloped terrain.
Affiliates-sponsored field trips to construction projects for these budding engineers run the gamut: Disney California Adventure, Caltrans bridge construction, and a Boeing manufacturing plant destined for redevelopment. Gifts to acquire and modernize equipment and laboratory facilities, equipment donations and in-kind support are all part of the Affiliates support package. Internships go to 60 percent of the students, and CEE Affiliates also offers engineering school scholarships.
Professor Scherfig points out that this public/private partnership is unique; there is no other program like it in the nation. The innovative program gets high praise during the UCI engineering school's annual accreditation certification.
This close affiliation with the school of engineering gives Affiliates members first crack at the best and brightest right out of college. At Psomas we typically hire one or two from the program each year. When UCI grad Regina Hu relocated to Southern California after graduate school, she immediately called her Affiliates contacts and landed a job with Psomas as a civil engineer designing roadway rehabilitation. The former campus ASCE president and Psomas intern notes that the connections made through the Affiliates were a big advantage for seniors seeking jobs after graduation. She recalls that there were "lots of networking opportunities for the students to get to know people in the industry...and they remember you even a couple of years later!"
In addition to fueling a pipeline of better-prepared engineers and first shot at hiring the best and the brightest right after graduation, Affiliates members see other benefits from this unique partnership with academia. Ahrontes points out that Affiliates members have an excellent resource for research. Currently, for example, masters candidates, under the supervision of their professors, are doing fieldwork and lab work to develop a methodology for quantifying subsurface sewer leakage for the sanitation district.
Quarterly breakfast meetings provide members the opportunity for heavy-duty networking with their peers from the engineering and development community while learning about key topics like rebuilding the Iraqi infrastructure. At the same time, Hu says these breakfast sessions give the students yet another window into what the industry is all about.
The entire community is benefiting from this alliance as well. Infrastructure is a key component of cities, but often overlooked, especially in these hard economic times for public agencies. The Affiliates partnered with the university and ASCE to produce the 2002 Orange County Report Card, which grades county infrastructure elements like schools, storm drains, airports, and transportation. UCI serves as an independent clearinghouse, adding third-party credibility to the information in the Report Card, which will be issued again in 2005.
A win-win situation for the engineering community, the university and its engineering students, the CEE Affiliates is a program that bears replicating throughout the country.
Sam Ali is president of the University of California, Irvine Civil and Environmental Engineering Affiliates. He is a civil engineer and water resources expert in the Costa Mesa, California office of Psomas, which specializes in the land development, water resources and transportation markets. He can be reached at (714) 954-3700 or at email@example.com.


Armina tigrina (Rafinesque, 1814)
Armina tigrina Rafinesque, 1814
|Classification according to Bouchet et al. (2017)|
Taxonomic source: World Register of Marine Species (AphiaID: 138807).
- Diphyllidia lineata Otto, 1820
- Pleurophyllidia cuvieri Meckel, 1823 (synonym)
- Pleurophyllidia undulata Meckel, 1816
This is a large arminacean species that can reach over 10 cm in length. Like the other species of the genus, the body has a triangular contour and a pointed tail. The back of the animal has a dark gray background decorated with 30 to 40 whitish longitudinal streaks corresponding to the somewhat irregular ridges on the mantle. The mantle edge is usually white. The head is protected by a pink head shield whose upper edge is black and extends to both sides on two structures as palps. The rhinophores are small and dark but for the white tip, joined at their base, possessing vertical lamellae in the distal zone of the organ, as in other species of the genus. The edges of the mantle have numerous holes likely aligned with glands that expel defensive substances. Gills are located below the mantle, in the front area, in the form of whitish, very thin and tight longitudinally arranged lamellae; behind them are the lateral lamellae, between 45 and 55, they are thicker, brown and follow a somewhat oblique direction to the longitudinal axis of the body, reaching almost the caudal zone of the mantle. The genital opening is on the end of a bulging papilla in the right side of the body, right in the area between the gills and the beginning of the lateral lamellae. The anal papilla is less apparent that the genital, it is also located in the right side of the body, approximately at 2/3 of the length of the body. The foot is wide and pink although its dorsal area is dark gray, with whitish edge, like the edge of the mantle. In the posterior area of the foot an elongated groove corresponding to the pedia gland can be observed.
Very little is known about the biology of Armina tigrina which, like other species of the genus, lives on sandy or muddy bottoms, from about 10 m depth, into which it can bury itself with the help of the head shield. Mainly nocturnal in habits, during daylight hours it is buried in the sediment. It possibly feeds on pennatulaceans (see another similar Pacific species, Armina californica, photographed feeding on a pennatulacean Ptilosarcus gurneyi (http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/14913 ), and this Emmy nominated video filmed on location in Puget Sound near Anacortes, WA, by Champ Williams:
- Armina. First name for girls of Old German origin, meaning “soldier” or “warrior”.
- Tigrina, related to a tiger.
This species lives mainly in the western Mediterranean basin, as it has been cited on the coasts of Sicily, Naples and Gulf of Portofino (Italy), in the Mediterranean coast of France (Banyuls, Cros de Cagnes), Spanish Costa del Sol, levantine Iberian coast and Catalonia. Outside the Mediterranean it has been recorded in Portugal and off the coast of Senegal. In the Catalan coast it seems to be a relatively common species in some commercial trawlers fishing grounds like Les Quaranta or La Planassa, located off Blanes at 70-140 m depth, and offshore the Ebro river delta at 10-20 m deep.
| : OBIS|
: GROC 2010-2011
: Enric Madrenas
: João Pedro Silva
: Bernard Picton
| : OPK|
: Manuel Ballesteros.
: M@re Nostrum
: Altres fonts
: Marine Regions
References for the species: Armina tigrina
- Portugal: De Oliveira (1895), Nobre (1938-40). Both records as Pleurophyllidia undulata.
Andalucía (Med.): Ocaña et al. (2000), Witz and Debelius (2003).
Levante: Templado et al. (2002).
Catalunya: Ballesteros (1983), Domènech et al. (2006).
General: Abbott, 1954:83; Ballesteros, 1981:93; Barletta, 1981:93; Cattaneo-Vietti, Chemello, & Giannuzzi-Savelli, 1990:149[P]; Eyster, 1980:591; Marcus & Marcus, 1966:191; Nordsieck, 1972:70; Perrone, 1986a:31; Pruvot-Fol, 1937:57; 1954b:344[P]; Riedl,
1983:325; Thompson, Cattaneo, & Wong, 1990:402; White, 1955:184
Sources: Cervera et al., 2004, Ballesteros, 2007 & 2016, McDonald, 2006 and other sources.
Cite this article as:


Saturn’s auroras are caused by the same phenomenon which leads to dramatic auroral displays on Earth, research shows
Researchers have captured stunning images of Saturn’s auroras as the planet’s magnetic field is battered by charged particles from the Sun. The team’s findings provide a “smoking gun” for the theory that Saturn’s auroral displays are often caused by the dramatic collapse of its “magnetic tail”.
Astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have captured new images of the dancing auroral lights at Saturn’s north pole. The ultraviolet images, taken by Hubble’s super-sensitive Advanced Camera for Surveys, capture moments when Saturn’s magnetic field is affected by bursts of particles streaming out from the Sun, providing evidence that the auroral displays are often caused by the dramatic collapse of the planet’s magnetic tail. Credit: NASA/ESA
Just like comets, planets such as Saturn and the Earth have a “tail” – known as the magnetotail – that is made up of electrified gas from the Sun and flows out in the planet’s wake.
When a particularly strong burst of particles from the Sun hits Saturn, it can cause the magnetotail to collapse, with the ensuing disturbance of the planet’s magnetic field resulting in spectacular auroral displays. A very similar process happens here on Earth.
Scientists observed this process happening on Saturn firsthand between April and May of 2013 as part of a three-year-long Hubble observing campaign. Their findings have been accepted for publication in Geophysical Research Letters, a journal of the America Geophysical Union.
The ultraviolet images, taken by Hubble’s super-sensitive Advanced Camera for Surveys, capture moments when Saturn’s magnetic field is affected by bursts of particles streaming out from the Sun.
Due to the composition of Saturn’s atmosphere, its auroras shine brightly in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum. This observation campaign using Hubble meant the astronomers were able to gather an unprecedented record of the planet’s auroral activity.
The team caught Saturn during a very dynamic light show. Some of the bursts of light seen shooting around Saturn’s polar regions travelled at over three times faster than the speed of the gas giant’s rotation.
“These images are spectacular and dynamic, because the auroras are jumping around so quickly,” Jonathan Nichols, a lecturer and research fellow in the University of Leicester’s Department of Physics and Astronomy in the United Kingdom, who led the Hubble observations, said. “The key difference about this work is that it is the first time the Hubble has been able to see the northern auroras so clearly.”
“The particular pattern of auroras that we saw relates to the collapsing of the magnetotail,” he added. “We have always suspected this was what also happens on Saturn. This evidence really strengthens the argument.”
“Our observations show a burst of auroras that are moving very, very quickly across the polar region of the planet. We can see that the magnetotail is undergoing huge turmoil and reconfiguration, caused by buffering from solar wind,” said Nichols, a Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Advanced Fellow in Planetary Auroras. “It’s the smoking gun that shows us that the tail is collapsing.”
The new images also formed part of a joint observing campaign between Hubble and NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, which is currently in orbit around Saturn itself.
Between them, the two spacecraft managed to capture a 360-degree view of the planet’s aurora at both the north and south poles. Cassini also used optical imaging to delve into the rainbow of colors seen in Saturn’s light shows.
On Earth, observers of auroras see green curtains of light with flaming scarlet tops. Cassini’s imaging cameras reveal similar auroral veils on Saturn, which are red at the bottom and violet at the top.
Notes for Journalists
Journalists and public information officers (PIOs) of educational and scientific institutions who have registered with AGU can download a PDF copy of this accepted article by clicking on this link: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2014GL060186/abstract
Or, you may order a copy of the final paper by emailing your request to Nanci Bompey at firstname.lastname@example.org. Please provide your name, the name of your publication, and your phone number.
Neither the paper nor this press release is under embargo.
“Dynamic auroral storms on Saturn as observed by the Hubble Space Telescope”
J. D. Nichols: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK;
S. V. Badman: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK; and Department of Physics, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK;
K. H. Baines: Space Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA;
R. H. Brown: Lunar and Planetary Lab, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA;
E. J. Bunce: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK;
J. T. Clarke: Center for Space Physics, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA;
S. W. H. Cowley: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK;
F. J. Crary: Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA;
M. K. Dougherty: Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London, UK;
J.-C. Gérard: Laboratoire de Physique Atmospherique et Planetaire, B5c, Universite de Liege, Liege, Belgium;
A. Grocott: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK; and Department of Physics, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK;
D. Grodent: Laboratoire de Physique Atmospherique et Planetaire, B5c, Universite de Liege, Liege, Belgium;
W. S. Kurth: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA;
H. Melin: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK;
D. G. Mitchell: Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, MD, USA;
W. R. Pryor: Central Arizona College, Coolidge, AZ, USA;
T. S. Stallard: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
Contact information for the authors:
Jon Nichols: +44 (0)116 252 5049, email@example.com
+1 (202) 777-7524
University of Leicester Contacts:
Ellen Rudge, News and Events Officer
+44 (0)116 229 7467
Peter Thorley, Corporate News Officer
+44 (0)116 252 2415
European Space Agency Contact:
Georgia Bladon, ESA/Hubble Public Information Officer
+44 781 629 1261
Science and Technology Facilities Council Contact:
Corinne Mosese, STFC Press officer
+44 (0)1793 979 724, +44 (0)7557 317 200
Nanci Bompey | American Geophysical Union
Seeing the quantum future... literally
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Airborne thermometer to measure Arctic temperatures
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Among the general public, solar thermal energy is currently associated with dark blue, rectangular collectors on building roofs. Technologies are needed for aesthetically high quality architecture which offer the architect more room for manoeuvre when it comes to low- and plus-energy buildings. With the “ArKol” project, researchers at Fraunhofer ISE together with partners are currently developing two façade collectors for solar thermal energy generation, which permit a high degree of design flexibility: a strip collector for opaque façade sections and a solar thermal blind for transparent sections. The current state of the two developments will be presented at the BAU 2017 trade fair.
As part of the “ArKol – development of architecturally highly integrated façade collectors with heat pipes” project, Fraunhofer ISE together with its partners...
At TU Wien, an alternative for resource intensive formwork for the construction of concrete domes was developed. It is now used in a test dome for the Austrian Federal Railways Infrastructure (ÖBB Infrastruktur).
Concrete shells are efficient structures, but not very resource efficient. The formwork for the construction of concrete domes alone requires a high amount of...
Many pathogens use certain sugar compounds from their host to help conceal themselves against the immune system. Scientists at the University of Bonn have now, in cooperation with researchers at the University of York in the United Kingdom, analyzed the dynamics of a bacterial molecule that is involved in this process. They demonstrate that the protein grabs onto the sugar molecule with a Pac Man-like chewing motion and holds it until it can be used. Their results could help design therapeutics that could make the protein poorer at grabbing and holding and hence compromise the pathogen in the host. The study has now been published in “Biophysical Journal”.
The cells of the mouth, nose and intestinal mucosa produce large quantities of a chemical called sialic acid. Many bacteria possess a special transport system...
UMD, NOAA collaboration demonstrates suitability of in-orbit datasets for weather satellite calibration
"Traffic and weather, together on the hour!" blasts your local radio station, while your smartphone knows the weather halfway across the world. A network of...
Fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP) are frequently used in the aeronautic and automobile industry. However, the repair of workpieces made of these composite materials is often less profitable than exchanging the part. In order to increase the lifetime of FRP parts and to make them more eco-efficient, the Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH) and the Apodius GmbH want to combine a new measuring device for fiber layer orientation with an innovative laser-based repair process.
Defects in FRP pieces may be production or operation-related. Whether or not repair is cost-effective depends on the geometry of the defective area, the tools...
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There are multiple studies that show environmental factors examples in Harrisburg, PA have led to the outbreaks of numerous disorders, one of which is multiple sclerosis (MS). This disease is considered to be potentially disabling because it directly affects the central nervous system. Researchers have proven that genetic predisposition is a factor in acquiring MS, but so are some environmental factors examples in Harrisburg, PA.
Environmental Factors Examples in Harrisburg, PA That Can Cause Multiple Sclerosis
In recent findings, numerous environmental factors examples in Harrisburg, PA along with other elements have been proven to contribute to the onset of multiple sclerosis. Although most MS cases are said to be caused by genetic makeup, environmental factors examples in Harrisburg, PA aids in the progression of the disease. Here are some environmental factors examples in Harrisburg, PA that can trigger MS:
Low Sun Exposure and Vitamin D Status as Environmental Factors Examples in Harrisburg, PA
Being in places that have minimal sun exposure can lead to low Vitamin D status. As one of the environmental factors’ examples in Harrisburg, PA, this has shown to contribute in the development of multiple sclerosis in young individuals. In studies of environmental factors examples in Harrisburg, PA, people who are often exposed to UV showed lower risk of their MS progressing or relapsing.
Air Pollution as One of the Environmental Factors Examples in Harrisburg, PA
Studies show that air pollution is one of the environmental factors’ examples in Harrisburg, PA that can damage the blood-brain barrier. Long-term exposure to matters like carbon monoxide has been reported to be associated with pediatric multiple sclerosis. Thus, making it part of the environmental factors’ examples in Harrisburg, PA, that contributes to the progression of MS in individuals.
Cigarette and Tobacco Smoking as Environmental Factors Examples in Harrisburg, PA
One of the well-established environmental factors examples in Harrisburg, PA is the usage of cigarettes or tobaccos. When an individual stops smoking, there can be a gradual decline in the chance of getting multiple sclerosis. Using a snuff is also related to what scientists who do research on environmental factors’ examples in Harrisburg, PA call a dose-dependent lower MS risk.
However, studies about environmental factors’ examples in Harrisburg, PA show that getting passively exposed to cigarette smoke is linked to increased risk to MS. As one of the environmental factors’ examples in Harrisburg, PA, smoking has a harmful effect on the lymphatic tissue. This then triggers activations of certain cells in the body that are associated to MS.
Reactivation of Past Viral Infection as One of the Environmental Factors Examples in Harrisburg, PA
Epstein-Barr virus is considered as one of the major environmental factors’ examples in Harrisburg, PA that contributes to the onset of MS across multiple races. Researches about the environmental factors’ examples in Harrisburg, PA also confirm that herpes virus is linked with increased MS risk in both adults and children.
Learn About the Environmental Factors Examples in Harrisburg, PA That Can Lead to MS Development
Multiple Sclerosis Research Institute is a non-profit organization committed to studying the MS environmental factors’ examples in Harrisburg, PA, and other scientific areas. Our team performs high-quality laboratory research in the field of MS, including the environmental factors examples in Harrisburg, PA. We are here to find the answer to MS, starting with the environmental factors’ examples in Harrisburg, PA.
MSRI welcomes volunteers who are willing to work and promote our missions to our supporting entities. If you’re interested in joining our team, feel free to fill out our form. Our institute also accepts donations. With this, we could conduct researches about the environmental factors’ examples in Harrisburg, PA that are related to MS. Any contribution, large or small, can encourage other organizations to help our cause.
Get in touch with us to learn more information about our studies focused on environmental factors’ examples in Harrisburg, PA. We’ll be more than happy to provide outstanding education in the field of MS.
Multiple Sclerosis Research Institute
Our non-profit foundation was started by Dr. Jeffrey Greenstein to Find, Stop and Cure MS. We focus on:
Conducting basic laboratory research into the cause and development of MS.
Developing translational research – moving from the laboratory to clinical applications – to foster new and innovative MS treatments.
Providing MS education for the public, including patients, caregivers, health care professionals, and MS specialists.
With our newly created laboratory and the hiring of proper research personnel, we have been experiencing an exciting season of development and growth. Right now is the perfect time for us to push for new studies and discoveries with support from the public.
Multiple Sclerosis Research Institute is committed to conducting the highest quality laboratory-based research. The following are just some of our publications:
- Greenstein JI: Diffuse dermatophytosis occurring on dimethyl fumarate therapy Multiple Sclerosis Journal 2018:24(7) 999-1001
- Editorial comment on the paper: Correale J: New fungal infections associated with disease-modifying treatments in MS Multiple Sclerosis Journal 2018: 24(7) 1004-1006.
- Cunningham TJ, Greenstein JI, Yao L, Fischer I, Connors T. Heptamer Peptide Disassembles Native Amyloid in Human Plasma Through Heat Shock Protein 70.
- Cunningham, TJ, Oetinger, M, Blankenhorn EP, Greenstein, JI. Secreted Phospholipase A2 activity in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis. Journal of Neuroinflammation 2006; 3:26
- Greenstein JI. Current concepts of the cellular and molecular pathophysiology of Multiple Sclerosis. Developmental Neurobiology 2008; 67:1248-1265.
- Cunningham, TJ, Greenstein, JI et al. Uncompetitive Phospholipase A2 inhibition by CHEC sequences including oral treatment of experimental autoimmune myeloencephalitis. The Open Enzyme Inhibition Journal 2009; 2:1-7.
- Greenstein JI, Cunningham TJ. Neuroprotective, Anti-inflammatory and Immune Tolerizing properties of peptides derived from Diffusion Survival Evasion Protein (DSEP)/Dermcidin. Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting April, 2014.
- Cunningham TJ, Greenstein JI, Loewenstein J, Degermentzidis. Anti-inflammatory peptide regulates supply of heat shock protein 70 monomers: Implications for aging and aging-related disease. Rejuvenation Research. 2015. 18(2):136-144.
- Buckle G, Bandari BD, Greenstein JI, et al. Effect of delayed-release Dimethyl Fumarate on lymphocyte subsets in patients with Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis: Interim analysis of REALIZE. Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers. 2016 Annual Meeting.
If you’re also a firm believer of what we do here at Multiple Sclerosis Research Institute, there are several ways for you to get involved and help. Here are some of them:
We’re seeking volunteers who will work to promote our well-defined mission to supporting entities. Anyone interested is welcome to submit a volunteer form through our website.
As a fully incorporated 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation, the MSRI gets funding from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other organizations to continue what we do. Funding is crucial to ensure appropriate facilities and staffing for significant MS research. Without donations, we cannot continue our research and other programs.
Tax-deductible contributions are much appreciated. Checks made payable to “Multiple Sclerosis Research Institute” can be mailed to our address. You may also opt to contribute stock; contact us for the transfer information. For donations that will be made through credit card, PayPal, or GoFundMe, kindly visit our donation page for our links. We value any amount.
- Amazon Smile
Shop and help. For Amazon shoppers out there, we’re part of the charitable organizations under the AmazonSmile Foundation program. Pick us, Multiple Sclerosis Research Institute (“MSRI”), as your charity of choice the next time you check out your cart from smile.amazon.com.
- Buy From Our Shop
We sell hockey jerseys, pucks, and game tickets on our online shop. Proceeds will go to our funding. View them today and add to cart now.
Get in touch with Multiple Sclerosis Research Institute today for more information about us, what we do, and what we can do for you. You may also contact us if you would like to donate or volunteer. Anyone looking to learn more about multiple sclerosis is also welcome to reach out to us. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Multiple Sclerosis Research Institute
Penn Treaty Park Place
1341 N. Delaware Ave Suite 213
Philadelphia PA 19125
Office — (267) 687-7027
Fax — (267) 687-7466


MikeURL alerts to a AP story just published after a months-long investigation on the vast array of pharmaceuticals present in US drinking water. These include antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers, and sex hormones, as well as over-the-counter drugs. Quoting: "To be sure, the concentrations of these pharmaceuticals are tiny, measured in quantities of parts per billion or trillion, far below the levels of a medical dose. Also, utilities insist their water is safe. But the presence of so many prescription drugs — and over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen and ibuprofen — in so much of our drinking water is heightening worries among scientists of long-term consequences to human health."


Expanding the coverage of safety net programs in Africa represents a serious fiscal challenge. While there is substantial variation across countries, on average governments in Africa spend about 1.3% of gross domestic product (GDP) on social safety nets (see figure). This is lower than the spending on other sectors such as energy, health care, education, and, in some cases, the military. Crucially, this level of spending is inadequate to face the high chronic poverty rates and vulnerability to shocks households face in Africa.
The design of the safety net program is perfect; it is based on the latest data and evidence; it enjoys political support at the highest levels, and it has sufficient financing.
So why can this safety net program not even get started after a year?
Maybe the answer has something to do with institutions. Accounting for the formal and informal “rules of the game” for social safety nets is key to the success of any program or system. In our chapter “Anchoring in Strong Institutions to Expand and Sustain Social Safety Nets” in the recently-released regional study on safety nets, we discuss some critical aspects of institutions that can make (or break) a social safety net program and how these evolve as programs grow in Africa.
Safety nets have the potential to play an important role in protecting the well-being of poor and vulnerable households in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the world’s poorest region—and also one of the most unequal—targeted social program transfers are an effective way to fight poverty and ensure shared prosperity. But social safety net resources are limited and identification of households with the greatest need is difficult in most African countries. Evidence of effective safety net program targeting is needed to justify using existing resources, to gain support for additional investments, and to guide country efforts to improve social safety net coverage of both long-term (chronic) poor and short-term (transient) poor households.


According to doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), your tongue can tell a lot about your health. Practitioners typically observe the shape, color, coating and any cracks or spots on the patient’s tongue. You should not attempt to self-diagnose your health based on your tongue and should seek a professional’s opinion. It should be noted that a normal tongue is a pinkish color and has a thin white coating that is uniform.
Thrush, also known as Candida or yeast infection, is a common cause of a white tongue.
A pale, white tongue can indicate that a person has a Qi or blood deficiency. In TCM, white is the color of metal and refers to the lungs and colon. This person is probably low on energy.
Leukoplakia can occur on the tongue as well as other areas of the mouth and are white patches that may appear “hairy.” Leukoplakia may clear up on its own and, in rare cases, may lead to cancer. Leukoplakia is common in smokers.
Organ Health and Function
Each area of the tongue refers to a specific organ, and a white patch in an area may suggest dysfunction in that organ.
White fur resembling cottage cheese refers to heat in the stomach.
A thick, white coating on the tongue signifies retention of phlegm and fluid within the body.


While so many of us are working at home during the coronavirus pandemic, we do worry that serendipitous hallway conversations aren’t happening.
Last year, before the pandemic, it was one of those conversations that led researchers at ETH Zurich to develop a way of making chocolates shimmer with color—without any coloring agents or other additives.
Gif: Giulia Marthaler/ETH Zurich
The project, announced in December, involves what the scientists call “structural color”. The team indicated that it creates colors in a way similar to what a chameleon does—that is, using the structure of its skin to scatter a particular wavelength of light. The researchers have yet to release details, but Alissa M. Fitzgerald, founder of MEMS product development firm AMFitzgerald, has a pretty good guess.
She explains that Iridescence in nature (like that inside oyster shells and on the wings of butterflies) involves nanoscale patterns in the form of lines, plates, or holes. To make iridescent chocolate, she surmises, the researchers likely created a nanotech chocolate mold, using e-beam lithography to etch lines of about 100 nm wide on a glass or silicon wafer.
The ETH researchers hope to get their technique for coloring chocolate out of the lab and into the mass market. Meanwhile, during the pandemic shutdown, some tech professionals have been playing with rainbow chocolates of their own, like software engineer and startup founder Samy Kamkar, recently profiled in the New York Times. (You can only bake so much bread, after all.)
Chocolate is only the beginning for nanocolors, Fitzgerald says: “The combination of nano- and micro-technology fabrication techniques with atypical materials like food, fabric, paper and plastic is going to lead to some really exciting new products as well as improve or enhance existing products. For example, Teijin Fiber Japan uses structural color methods to make “Morphotex” fabric, named after the iridescent Morpho butterfly, recently demonstrated in the concept Morphotex Dress. Everyday objects are poised to benefit from advances in nanotechnology.”
Tekla S. Perry is a senior editor at IEEE Spectrum. Based in Palo Alto, Calif., she's been covering the people, companies, and technology that make Silicon Valley a special place for more than 40 years. An IEEE member, she holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University.


This format is popular how to write a bibliography chicago with studying history and some professors prefer it with other studies. writing an annotated bibliography can help you gain a good perspective on what is being said about your. after you are done with the evaluation of your source, you jot down all problem solving strategies in math the sources and write an excellent bibliography out of it. general rules – chicago bibliography bibliography: also, every time a fact gets recorded on a note card, its pay to have your paper written source should be noted in the top right corner. the purpose of research is to state and university of houston business degree plan support a thesis. the list includes the important publication details the importance of water essay of the sources. single-spaced. mar 17, 2013 · sample writing of bibliography us history regents essays define essay example of college proffessor essay writing. chicago: mar 17, a good argument essay topic 2013 · writing an annotated bibliography chicago style annotated bibliography of picture books how to write a bibliography chicago sample essay written in apa creative writing.com style importance of writing a business plan annotated bibliography essay example how to create photo essay apa annotated bibliography help tips for writing a college best buy sale paper essay autobiography sample annotated bibliography table of contents good compare how to write a bibliography chicago and contrast essay examples example of an annotated bibliography ….


Class 11 English Unit 16 Critical Thinking Exercise, Grammar Notes
The existence of the soul is a crucial philosophical question. No matter how many times "religions" claim it to exist, how can we be sure? A slew of recent scientific studies has shed light on this age-old spiritual curiosity.
The concept of a soul is intertwined with our outlook on the future and our faith in life after death. Despite claims to the contrary, it is dependent on the physical body to be the ultimate principle by which we think and feel.
Many people just assume it's there without doing any research or thinking about it. Birth and death are mysterious phenomena that play with our consciousness during sleep and even everyday mental functions like imagination and memory point to a life force called the lantal that is separate from our physical bodies. So, there must be something spiritual like the soul which controls the emotional functions of our body.


Moon Rocks: An Introduction to the Geology of the Moon by Andrew G. Tindle and Simon P. Kelley. Published by The Open University. iPad (iBooks 2 and iOS5 required), free.
Guest review by Veronique Greenwood
In 1988, after 12 men had walked on the surface of the Moon and nearly 850 pounds of lunar rocks had been ferried back to Earth, 13% of Americans were purportedly still under the impression that the Moon was made of green cheese. While I hope that number has shrunk in the last couple decades, I can testify that I know precious little more about the Moon than that it is indeed made of rock and that during the Cold War, bits of it were glued to plaques and passed out as gifts. Also, at some point, I believe some golf was played there.
If you're looking to sound like less of a dunce at astronomer cocktail parties, you might want to check out The Open University's free 70-page ebook on the basics of Moon geology. It's well, if plainly, written and provides links to the original research that underlies our understanding, though on several important counts it falls short of fulfilling its promise as an interactive textbook.
I learned some interesting tidbits, especially in the first chapters, that made me look at the Moon differently. For instance, we're still not really sure how it formed; each of the leading theories explains some, but not all, of what we've observed about it. One of the most widely accepted models proposes that the Earth was struck by an object the size of Mars about 4.6 billion years ago, and the debris flung off by the cataclysm coalesced into the Moon. Alongside this rather dry description was a truly alarming figure showing sequential shots of our planet in the 23 hours after the impact, lurching on its axis and spraying out matter like a soaked tennis ball shedding water.
But the breathtaking violence wasn’t over yet. As it turns out, after the planets of our solar system themselves coalesced from surrounding debris millions of years earlier, there had been quite a lot of stuff left over. This floating junk was cleared from the inner part of the solar system by the planets sweeping around their orbits. Once the giant planets—Jupiter and Saturn—started to creep outwards, things got nasty fast. “Resonance effects caused orbital eccentricities that destabilised the entire planetary system,” the text relates. “Rapid and dramatic movement of the giant planets then occurred, causing 99% of the mass of the primordial disc to be ejected from the solar system and for much of the remainder to be thrown inwards to cause an influx of asteroids and thus a surge of impacts on the inner planets.”
To translate: as the planets shifted into a new alignment, they pulled on each other gravitationally such that their neat, concentric orbits went all to hell, and they careened around in a way that sets my teeth on edge just thinking about it, in the process flinging a punishing rain of giant boulders onto the inner planets, which is how our Moon got so bunged up.
The next chapter fast-forwards several billion years. Things are much quieter. It's 1971, and the Apollo 15 astronauts are collecting pieces of the moon when one of them, David Scott, gasps and cries, “Guess what we just found! Guess what we just found.” As related in a transcript of the mission audio, he's found a crystalline rock, which is beautiful proof that when the Moon was young, it formed a crust like Earth's.
I was excited to see that the book contained an embedded video of the Apollo 15 astronauts making their discovery. I love these fuzzy old recordings, these time capsules of men with gentle mid-twentieth century American accents exclaiming “Oh boy!” when they come across a chunk of lunar feldspar. But whenever I clicked on the video (I tried several times), it froze up, and all I got was the audio.
Audio from the Moon is better than no audio from the Moon, but I was much more disappointed when I got to the book's interactive activities. The book makes several mentions of petrology—the geology equivalent of pathology. Basically, you take fine slices of rock and look at them through a microscope in various kinds of light and identify the minerals within. With each mention of petrology I looked forward to trying it out for myself with the book's “virtual microscope.”
When I reached it, I skimmed the first activity's description, which laid out how the different kinds of light revealed the identifying properties of minerals, and jumped right into the interactive element. Once I was in, though, I saw that there was no interpretive text. There were zoomable views of the sample in various lights, but all of the explanations of what I was looking at were stranded back out in the main text. To learn anything about what to look for, I had to close the interactive element, read from the text, then open the element and try to click back to exactly the place where I had been before.
This was roughly as frustrating as being told you can look at either a guidebook or a city map, but never both at the same time.
As a result, I got very little from the seven virtual microscope activities, aside from some aesthetic enjoyment. I would have learned more if I'd had a paper textbook and a companion app that could be used together at the same time. I’m surprised that the Open University, a 41-year-old UK institution whose focus is distance learning, would have bungled this point.
The disappointment of the virtual microscope aside, the book succeeds fairly well as a teaching text for curious amateurs. I know quite a bit more about the Moon now than I did before. I can say with certainty that it's not made of green cheese but of things that--to a Moon n00b like me--can seem just as fanciful: substances like the mineral olivine, which is a remarkable canary yellow under cross-polarized light; and moondust, which, for reasons that are still mysterious, smells just like gunpowder.
Veronique Greenwood is a staff writer at DISCOVER Magazine. She writes about everything from caffeine chemistry to cold cures to Jelly Belly flavors, and her work has appeared in Scientific American, Technology Review, TheAtlantic.com, and others. Follow her on Twitter .


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The standard form of a name is a surname, or an abbreviation of it (e.g. Adans. for Adanson), or rarely a contraction of it (e.g. Michx. for Michaux), with or without initials or other distinguishing appendages (see principles 7-9 below). In establishing a set of principles for deriving standard forms of names, the Working Party has aimed above all for practicality and has been largely sympathetic to well established traditions. Very few absolute rules have been adapted, since experience shows that sooner or later it becomes inconvenient or undesirable to follow them. However, clear general principles have been laid down which are followed except when there is a good reason not to do so. The standard form adopted is the product of the interaction of all the principles, of which one may be of paramount importance in one circumstance but less so in another. The principles were agreed by the Working Party by a vote where necessary, but in the majority of cases the vote was overwhelmingly in favour of the practice adopted here.
The first four ‘principles’ are applied rigidly as absolute rules:
1. Script. Names are given in Roman characters (see also notes on transliteration and similar problems under ‘Surname Problems’ above).
2. Uniqueness. Every ‘standard form’ must be unique to one person. The Working Party considered a suggestion that this should apply only within the context of each major plant group, but voted heavily against it. (For comments on the converse situation, concerning the same author always having the same ‘standard form’, see 10 and 11 below.)
3. Uniform treatment of names. The same surname (i.e. identical spelling) must always be given in the same form (e.g. Miller is always abbreviated to Mill.), unless it is part of a compound name (see 14 below), and different surnames must not be given in the same form (if Brown is abbreviated to Br. then Browne must not also be abbreviated to Br.) Unlike the Kew Draft Index, we have treated masculine and feminine forms of one name as different names. Thus, for example, Botschantzev and Botschantzeva are not given the same standard form.
4. Full-stops and accents. All abbreviations and contractions are terminated by a full-stop (e.g. Adans., Walt.Jones, Michx.) but the full-stop does not make a standard form different from the same spelling without a full stop (e.g. Lam. for Lamarck and Lam for H.J. Lam would be treated as homonymous, and initials are required for the latter’s standard form). Similarly names differing only by presence or absence of an accent (e.g. Love and Löve, Leonard and Léonard) or apostrophe (Ohara and O’Hara) are treated as homonymous.
The remaining principles are not considered absolutely binding except for 12. The first, no. 5 over-rides all the subsequent ones. Those from 6 to 11 refer to full surnames and when to include initials and other appendages, while 12 to 14 refer to when and how to abbreviate surnames.
5. TL-2 as a standard. The Working Party strongly favoured the retention of traditional abbreviations and other standard forms, and considered that the best way to ensure this was to accept the standard forms recommended in Stafleu & Cowan’s TL-2. This has been done in the majority of cases, but in a small number TL-2 has not been followed. Reasons for departing from TL-2 included : a) contravention of principles 2 and 3 above (rare, e.g. Stef.); b) serious conflict with the Kew Draft Index involving transfer of one standard form from one author to another; c) failure to abbreviate very long names, such as Schlagdenhauffen; d) rather excessive abbreviation of a few names of six letters or fewer where no outstandingly strong precedent seems to exist (e.g. Wilson is given in full rather than abbreviated to Wils.); e) failure to give any of a large number of authors with the same surname a standard form without the initials, e.g. Moore; and f) occasionally, conflict with particularly well established abbreviations used elsewhere, such as Copel. which is very widely adopted in pteridological literature for Copeland.
The following principles are applied only to names of authors not appearing in TL-2.
6. Surname only. A surname alone, or its abbreviation or contraction, is adopted as the standard form if it is applicable to only one author in the list. A surname alone, or its abbreviation or contraction, is usually also adopted for one of a number of authors with the same surname (see 7 below).
7. Initials. Persons with identical surnames are distinguished by use of initials of forenames, except as in 8 and 9 below. Usually the earliest born is given without initials and all later ones with initials, but in some cases a better known later author may be given without and all others, including the earliest, with initials. Occasionally, when all having the same surname are more or less contemporary and equally well known, all may be given initials. Where initials are required: a) if the author has one forename, then the one initial is given; b) if the author has two forenames, both initials are given, except in occasional cases where an author consistently omits one initial in authorship of books or papers (as distinct from authorship of plant names), e.g. P.Taylor, H.Rob., B.Nord. for P.G. Taylor, H.E. Robinson and R.B. Nordenstam who consistently publish their work using only one of their forenames; c) if the author has three forenames, three initials are given unless he or she has a clear preference for using only one and no ambiguity arises (L.A.S.Johnson is given all three initials to avoid confusion with Lennart Johnson and Leigh A. Johnson); if the author has more than three forenames, an ad hoc decision is taken. We recommend that no spaces be left after full stops.
8. Abbreviated or full forenames. When two authors have identical surnames and initials, full or abbreviated forenames may be used. One author may be given with only surname, or initial(s) plus surname, and the other with fuller name, or both may be given fuller names, e.g. Thomas Hogg (1777-1855) and Thomas Hogg (1820-1892) are distinguished as Hogg and T.Hogg respectively, while Walter Jones and William Jones have standard forms Walt.Jones and Wm.Jones respectively.
9. Suffixes. In a few cases persons with identical surnames may be distinguished by a suffix instead of, or in addition to, initials. In well known cases of father and son, the son may be distinguished by ‘f.’, an abbreviation of ‘filius’ (a narrow majority of the Working Party preferred ‘f.’ to ‘fil.’). Where this follows an abbreviated name with a full-stop, we recommend that no space be left between full-stop and f., e.g. Rech.f. for Rechinger the son. Decisions on when to use ‘f.’ and when to use initials were usually decided by a vote of the Working Party, which voted for Aiton and W.T.Aiton, but Baker and Baker f., for examples. Tradition may also allow a different suffix, such as ‘Arg.’ for ‘Argoviensis’ in Müll.Arg. (Müller of Aargau). In a few cases where different authors have identical surname and forename we have used the suffixes ‘bis’ for the second and ‘ter’ for the third, as in R.Br., R.Br. bis and R.Br. ter for the three Robert Browns.
10. Variant names for the same person. Except as noted in 11 below, one person is always given the same standard form, even though he or she may have modified the spelling of their surname during their lifetime, or different transliterations may exist, or a compounding form may have been adopted during their lifetime. For example, Meisner adopted the spelling Meissner later in life but is always given the same standard form, Meisn. The variant transliterations Tsvelev, Tselov, Tzelev and Tzelov have all appeared for the same person, whose recommended standard form Tzelev should be used in all cases. Alan Radcliffe Smith originally published plant names as A.R.Smith, but later modified his name to A. Radcliffe-Smith; the standard form Radcl.-Sm. should be used for both.
11. Different names for the same person. When a person has published under completely different names, different standard forms may be used for the same person. For example, Inger Nordal has published under both her maiden name Björnstad and her married name Nordal, and both may be used in standard forms, as in Scadoxus pseudocaulus (I.Björnstad & Friis) Friis & Nordal. However, where one person has simultaneously used alternative names, such as Brother Alain who also uses the names Liogier, Enrique Eugenio, and others, we have adopted a single name (in this case Alain, as agreed with him in correspondence).
The following principles concern when and how to abbreviate surnames. It should be noted again that these have been applied only to names not give in TL-2 (see 5 above).
12. Where to abbreviate. Names are never abbreviated before a consonant.
13. How many letters to save.
14. Compound names. Compound names, whether hyphenated or not, may be treated as special cases, and some principles given above may be discounted. In order to keep the standard form as short as possible, the principles of how many letters should be saved (see 13 above) may often be broken. Similarly the principle that the same name must always be given in the same way (see 3 above) is over-ridden in compound names, so that, for example although Gonzales is given in full when it stands on its own, Gonzales Albo is abbreviated to Gonz.Albo. We recommend, again that no space be left after the full-stop.
Reproduced from Brummitt & Powell, Authors of Plant Names (1992).