Off Topic: Ken Lee - What in the world is this girl singing

I just couldn't pass on by not blogging this one.
Hehehe.. I don't know if I'd be irritated or just purely annoyed on this freakin' girl singing "Ken Lee" a disastrous remake of Mariah Carey's "Without You" single.

Ken Lee Tuli bu dibo Doucho? heheh
I cant live anymore!! heheh

somebody shot that girl in the head! hehehe

Telling smokers 'age' of lungs helps them quit

This article from MSNBC was too good to pass up..

LONDON - Smokers are more likely to kick the habit if they are told how “old” their lungs are, a British study found on Friday.

The concept of lung age — measured by comparing a smoker’s lungs to the age of a healthy person whose lungs function the same — has helped patients better understand how smoking damages health, researchers had already found.

But that information is also effective in convincing smokers to quit, said Gary Parkes, a family physician in Hertfordshire outside London, who led the study published in the British Medical Journal.

“Telling smokers their lung age significantly improves the likelihood of them quitting smoking,” Parkes and his colleagues wrote.

Smoking kills about four million people each year, according to the World Health Organization. Tobacco is highly addictive and the leading preventable cause of both cancer and heart disease.

The study in five general medical practices outside London involved 561 long-term smokers older than 35 and began with a simple test to record the volume and rate at which the volunteers exhaled air from the lungs.

One group received no detailed information about their results while the other people were given their lung age, shown a diagram of how smoking ages the lungs and told that quitting would slow the rate of damage.

Everyone was also strongly encouraged to quit and offered help to do so. One year later, saliva tests showed that 13 percent of the smokers told their lung age had quit while only 6 percent of people in the other group had stopped.

“Anybody who had good, understandable information seemed more inclined to give up,” Parkes said. “The reason may be people had dreaded the worst and realized it was still worthwhile giving up.

Benefits of early screening
The study counters research showing such health information does not prod them to quit and underscores the benefits of early screening because 16 percent of the people in the study had undiagnosed emphysema, Parkes said.

Giving people this kind of information could represent a cheap and easy way to get people to stop smoking and reduce smoking-related health problems that are putting pressure on health systems to treat.

“The cost, if you like, is certainly within the economic framework of a good deal,” Parkes said.

Brain Scanner Can Tell What You're Looking At. (Wired.com)

I was browsing over my startpage at netvibe and found this very interesting news over at wired.com

Technically, this is not a new thing since MRI (magnetic resonance imagery) and other brain imaging techniques have been available for quite awhile now, but I guess it's some sort of breakthrough because now, through this promising technology, doctors can now see how our brains work in real-time.
Though, I'm more interested in the dream-capturing capability of this new technology.
I need to figure out why teens "wet dream". I was really puzzled before because I was dreaming of people (i guess they were models) whom I don't remember seeing in person or in mags or television.

A computer will soon be able to do it, simply by analyzing the activity of your brain.

That's the promise of a decoding system unveiled this week in Nature by neuroscientists from the University of California at Berkeley.

The scientists used a functional magnetic resonance imaging machine -- a real-time brain scanner -- to record the mental activity of a person looking at thousands of random pictures: people, animals, landscapes, objects, the stuff of everyday visual life. With those recordings the researchers built a computational model for predicting the mental patterns elicited by looking at any other photograph. When tested with neurological readouts generated by a different set of pictures, the decoder passed with flying colors, identifying the images seen with unprecedented accuracy.

You can read the full article here

Iligan City Hospital (Gregorio T. Lluch Memorial Hospital) Slashes 200+ casual workers

What is up with the Philippine's Health Care Delivery System? I know this may sound a bit late, but for all of you out there (abroad) who's worked with the hospital, GTLMH abruptly laid off 200+ casual workers including IWs.

What is wrong with this government, prioritizing countrywide "internet-tability" in a country in which the majority of the population only knows how to operate and execute basic MS Word operations and mainly uses their email addresses (majority of Pinoys use yahoomail) only to log on to friendster (with over 5 million Filipino subscribers) rather than on developing efficient means of delivering health services to the people!

Read: On a personal observation, roughly less than 50% of the Total literate Filipino Population (hence, including politicians) can be actually classified as "internet savvy" individuals.

So...

"While Obama and Clinton are debating on which HealthCare policy will do best for the Americans, the Philippines is debating on whether or not, the ZTE-NBN Deal is legit, at the expense of the vastly poor Filipino population."

How far would this "hoolaa" go. Our government has been allocating a bigger percentage on a National Broadband deal rather than health care, what's up with that? The alleged $130M kickback should provide well enough health benefits to our indigent brothers and sisters.

geeesshh..
Stop the crap now!

Stop! Cut! Kill! Corruption in the Philippines,
NOW!!!

Natalizumab (Tysabri) May Cause Significant Liver Injury

February 27, 2008 — Significant liver injury has been reported in some patients receiving treatment with natalizumab (Tysabri, Biogen Idec, Inc), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today.

The monoclonal antibody was first approved by the FDA in November 2004 for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and was later withdrawn by the manufacturer in February 2005 after 3 patients developed progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) during clinical trials.

After reviewing the study data to confirm the absence of additional PML cases, the reintroduction of natalizumab into the US market was accompanied by a restricted distribution program (Tysabri Outreach: Unified Commitment to Health, or TOUCH).

With the approval of natalizumab for the treatment of Crohn's disease in January 2008, the FDA added warnings to the drug's safety labeling regarding the risk for hepatotoxicity.

Signs of injury, including markedly elevated serum hepatic enzymes and elevated total bilirubin, have been observed as early as 6 days following initiation of natalizumab therapy, according to an alert issued by MedWatch, the FDA's safety information and adverse event reporting program. Other cases have occurred for the first time after multiple doses of the drug and on rechallenge.

The combination of transaminase elevations and elevated bilirubin without evidence of obstruction is an important predictor of severe hepatic injury that can lead to death or require liver transplant.

Treatment should therefore be discontinued if jaundice or other signs of significant hepatic injury occur. Patients should be advised of the risk for liver injury and instructed to call their healthcare professionals if they experience yellowing of the skin/eyes, nausea/vomiting, darkened urine, and feeling tired or weak.

Natalizumab monotherapy is indicated to delay the accumulation of physical disability and reduce the frequency of clinical exacerbations in patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis; it also may be used to induce and maintain clinical response and remission in adult patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease who have evidence of inflammation. Use of natalizumab is generally reserved for patients who have had inadequate response to or are unable to tolerate conventional therapies.

from: Medscape.

Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis

As I've been watching the drama between democrats Clinton and Obama over at Yahoo! Videos,I came across a very (IMO) disturbing News, Extremely Drug-Resistan Strains of Tuberculosis. (see video here)
As I quote from an article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USA)

"Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR TB) is a relatively rare type of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB). It is resistant to almost all drugs used to treat TB, including the two best first-line drugs: isoniazid and rifampin. XDR TB is also resistant to the best second-line medications: fluoroquinolones and at least one of three injectable drugs (i.e., amikacin, kanamycin, or capreomycin).

Because XDR TB is resistant to the most powerful first-line and second-line drugs, patients are left with treatment options that are much less effective and often have worse treatment outcomes.

XDR TB is of special concern for persons with HIV infection or other conditions that can weaken the immune system. These persons are more likely to develop TB disease once they are infected, and also have a higher risk of death once they develop TB disease.

The risk of acquiring XDR TB in the United States appears to be relatively low. However, it is important to acknowledge the ease at which TB can spread. As long as XDR TB exists, the United States is at risk and must address the threat."

I was a bit bothered by the issue since, most of the affected countries are in Africa and somewhere around the border of the Soviet Union, which is relatively near Asia and might infiltrate the Philippines, this could add another major problem in our Health System and Services, since most of our public hospitals, upon personal experience lack the necessary protective gears to help prevent contracting the disease.


Disease Focus: Tuberculosis

Philippine Nursing Board Exam Result, December 2007 Exam. (Philippine Nursing Licensure Exam - December 2007)

December 2007 Exam Passers


Nurse Licensure Examination - Retakers As Per C.a. 2008 February 21

Nurse Licensure Examination - Retakers For C.g.f.n 2008 February 21

43% of 67,000 pass Philippine Nursing Board Exam ( Philippine Nursing Licensure Exam) December 2007 Exam

source: Inquirer.net

February 21, 2008 10:19:00

Veronica Uy

INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines -- At least 43 percent of the 67,000 examinees who took the nursing board in December 2007 have passed, officials of the Professional Regulation Commission told INQUIRER.net.

In a text message to INQUIRER.net Thursday, Marco Antonio Sto. Tomas, member of the PRC's Board of Nursing, said that out of 67,728 examinees, 28,924 passed for a 43.45-percent passing rate.

Leonor Rosero-Tripon, PRC chairman, said that the percentage was “within the usual range.”

Tripon and Sto. Tomas said the examinees included those who took the exam for the first time, repeaters, removals, and voluntary retakers of all subjects from the June 2006 Nursing Licensure Examination.

“Ten out of the 14 retakers as per Court of Appeals decision passed and 729 out of the 1,132 special certification retakers for CGFNS passed,” he said.

PRC records show that the passing rate for the nursing board has not breached 60-percent since June 2003.

The passing rate for the past five years are as follows:

June 2003, 52.77 percent; December 2003, 43.38 percent; June 2004, 55.74 percent; December 2004, 43.06 percent; June 2005, 49.40 percent; December 2005, 53.97 percent; June 2006 (the one with the supposed leakage), 41.23 percent, December 2006, 49.10 percent; June 2007, 48.32 percent; and the latest December 2007, 43.45 percent

A nursing educator, who requested anonymity, lamented the drop in the quality of Philippine nursing education. He said these figures provide a sad contrast to the growing number of colleges producing nursing graduates -- more than 450 such colleges nationwide.

He said the economic contribution of nursing education was “superficial and artificial in the long run.”

“We have few training hospitals, we are in dearth of fully trained nursing deans and faculty-members, both public and private combined, to complement the education needs of all our nursing students enrolled all over the country,” he said.

Sto. Tomas said the top performing schools with 100 or more examinees that passed were Saint Louis University, Xavier University, and Silliman University.

He said those which had from 30 to 99 examinees that passed were Trinity University of Asia, Mindanao State University, University of the East-Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, and Palawan State University.

Bought a New Domain. Www.Bisdak.net

Just wanted to announce that I bought a new domain, Im planning to finish updating the site and everything right after I finish processing my papers for my Visa.. which is, believe me hideous work.

Thanks guys!

Im also planning to host a CMS Site back there..
thanks..

dan

PRC IDs for Philippine Nursing Licensure Exam Passers of June 2007, now available up to letter M

Professional Regulation Commission Cagayan de Oro has already received the second batch of PRC IDs from PRC-Manila, thus complementing the ID's from letter A up to letter M.You can get your PRC IDs in PRC Cagayan de Oro now, just bring your PRC Receipts and your Board Certificate for verification.

Thank You.

Oral Contraceptives Offer Long-Term Protection Against Ovarian Cancer

The use of oral contraceptives have linked it to increased risk for breast cancer

Oral contraceptives offer long-term protection against ovarian cancer, with the reduction in risk persisting for more than 30 years. This finding, from a huge analysis of 45 studies reported in the January 25 issue of The Lancet, offers "unequivocal good news" says an accompanying commentary. A hard-hitting Lancet editorial published alongside says that the finding has "important public health implications" and calls for oral contraceptives to be made available over the counter.

In the article, researchers from the Collaborative Group on Epidemiological Studies of Ovarian Cancer analyzed individual data on more than 100,000 women from 21 countries. They report that 10 years of oral contraceptive use was estimated to reduce the incidence of ovarian cancer from 1.2 to 0.8 per 100 users and reduce death from ovarian cancer from 0.7 to 0.5 per 100 users. Expressing these figures another way, the researchers, headed by Valerie Beral, MD, from Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom, point out that if 5000 women used oral contraceptives for 1 year, approximately 2 cases of ovarian cancer and 1 death from ovarian cancer before the age of 75 years would be prevented.

Dr. Beral and colleagues estimate that in the last 50 years during which oral contraceptives have been available, approximately 200,000 cases of ovarian cancer and 100,000 deaths have been prevented worldwide. As use of these products continues to increase, they estimate that for the next few decades, oral contraceptives could prevent 30,000 cases of ovarian cancer annually.

"These findings set a new standard in primary prevention for a deadly cancer," the editorial comments. "There are few drugs available that confer powerful and long-lasting protection against a highly lethal malignancy after such a short exposure."

However, an accompanying commentary is more cautious. Eduardo L. Franco, PhD, from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and his wife, Eliane Duarte-Franco, MD, from the Institut National de Sante Publique du Quebec, also in Montreal, say that "women and their health-care providers are once gain at a balancing act of judging risks versus benefits."

In addition to ovarian cancer, oral contraceptives have also shown a protective effect against endometrial and colorectal cancer. However, they have also been linked with an increased risk for breast and cervical cancer, they point out, and "calculation of the next effect on women's health is fraught with uncertainties."

Source: Lancet. 2008;371:275, 277-278, 303-314. Click clinical tests.

Pharmacology in a Song. Memorize Drugs (generic names) easily.. i think

This is quite a nifty stuff to actually learn drugs, medications through a song, though I personally don't think that this funny song might actually help you memorize all that's on it, but at least, it would help you memorize some. The good thing is that, the writer actually compiled the most commonly used drugs based on their classification. Memorizing the drug's actions would be the least you could do here (well, you would still need a drug handbook or the infamous MIMS/PIMS.)

Link Love, anyone? Viral Linking!

Got this over at Nakanampucha .
Link Love anyone?

Everyone who owns and maintains a blog understands just how important Page Rank is! This includes your ranking in Technorati, Alexa, Google PR, SERP (Search Engine Result Page), etc. Are you happy or satisfied with your current Page Rank? I’m quite sure you’re not, or you won’t be reading this post! A few weeks ago a fellow by the name of Andy Coates started a link building concept that helps bloggers increase their Page Rank. This concept is called Viral Linking. A lot of bloggers from all over immediately jumped on the train and are now enjoying some really good link loving that’s increasing their Page Rank. Nice huh?
So! If you’re serious about boosting your Page Rank, then read carefully and do these simple steps!

Instructions:

1.) Copy and paste the entire matrix of “ViralTags” below.

2.) Substitute the Host Tag and one of the “ViralTags” in the matrix with your anchor text of choice containing your blog’s URL. Please keep anchor text to a maximum of 3 words to keep the matrix size manageable.

3.) When you get a ping back from someone that has your link in one of their “ViralTags”, practice good karma by copying his/her Host Tag’s anchor text (automatically the associated link will also be copied) and paste it over one of your “ViralTags” below.

4.) Encourage and invite your readers to do the same and soon this can grow virally.

=========== Copy and Paste below this line ===========

Host Tag: Pinoy Nurse!

The Beginning | Jolly Green Girl | Diet & Weight Loss | The Next Corner | Bloggers Journey | Key West or Bus | On the WebEd | Vi-Su | Reviews and Previews | Andy Coates | Daily Bulls | Ramblings | Internet Business Blog | Startup Entrepreneur Money | Billiards | The Broken Bow | KLAPKiDS | Esofthub’s Web Finds | wotZcool | Overseas Filipino Worker | Tech Gadgets Stocks | Monetize Your Blog | Job and Career | Calvin Harvey | Newsome | Blackyard Technologies | Inner 88 | Link Love | Blog in My Soup | Jason’s Random Thoughts | Pixie Tail | Reyna Elena | Earn Money Online | Hanneng | Woman: God’s Masterpiece | Controversy | Entrepreneurship Internet Web | Alex2000 | Blend | Sciura Pina | Cat on my Head | Dietro e la Casa | Gold Rush | Tech Startups Web2.0 | Mario’s Weblog | Make Money Online | Plugins TV Blogging | Marco Bonomo | Cman’s Money Page | Random Access Life | Really Funny Jokes | Patrick Curl | Wolly Weblog | Internet Marketing German | Stratz’s Blog | Zarcone | 2012 Movies | Techcast Weekly | Business Blog Web | Samuel Silva | The Junky’s Wife | il blog di iMod | Mrs. Sparrow | Tech Fun This n That | Blog Plus Ultra | Money Tips | Blogozine | Cool Websites | JackBook | BetShop Boy | BMoneySavvy | My Life | Catepol | Wissen Belastet | Adam OK | Yaab | Bloggo Intestinale | Fanatic Space | Crispnetworks | Telemac | Hoobin | Adzine for Marketees | Horeki | Manila Mom | Earn Global Online | Philippine Trip | Ageless Beautiy | Cafe Romanza | Maia Jose | Dogs, Pigs, Family | Credit Ability | Hot Buzz Hot Bizz | Mom’s Veranda | Chuva | LunaTail | Blog dela TV | Andy Dang | BioHazard Gaming | Rich Minx | Steve’s Tech Blog | How to Make Money Online | Jake Daily | Todo Musika | Really Smart Guy | 7 Confessions | John M. Justice | Make Extra Money | Filipino Programmers | Orient Lodge | Foximus | Static Thinkbox | Stealing Cameos from the Web | Photoshop Tutorials | Computer-75 | Super Blogging | Thomas’ Off-the-Cuffs Blog | Linkrambler | La Jungla Sonora | Tech-Hack-Gadget | Jackbook | Blog it out | BMW-M-Power| Affiliate Watcher | Cash Money Blogging | Life Disguised in Humor | JLS Cisco Networking | MMMiii | Book Project | Mik3 | Wampago | Aopletal | Opinioni in Liberta | Business Chats | WCB Digest | That’s What She Said | Gay Christians | Goldy World | Ryan Shamus | Miraz Tutorials | Islam for Me | Studs-Cash-Page | Mariuca | Munny 4 Hunny | First Time Dad | Dating in Your 40s | The Bookshelf | Russian Jokes | Sha Money Maker | No Heat | Dinosaurs | Bulletproof Harpist | Debt Quit | My Own Journey | Jehzlau Concepts | Orchid | Anything Goes | Zona Cerebral | Imakesmoney | Truth & Opinion | Best Air Miles Deals | Seevs Place | Batang Yagit | Little Nina | Jemme | Sintunado | Abaniko | Angel Blush | Nostalgia Manila | A Day In The Life | Nakanampucha | Legal Two Timer | Jakeldaily.com | island iCE | Vinceleste.com | Off the Cuffs | The BLOGmeister Presents | make money online | Ganar Dinero Online | Jehzlau | Batang Yagit | dating 40s relationships | Batang Baler | Heroin Addiction Codependence | KLAPKiDS | Orchid | Catepol | FanaticSpace Fandom Blog | 7Confessions | Truth and Opinion | Life is Colourful | Blogger Whale | Techie Corner | Pinoy Guitar BT | Accountancy Basnav | Composed Gentleman | Get Rich From Home | Motiveless Crime | We are Family | http://talkingforum.wordpress.com | Love Potion (Gayuma) | goodbye blue monday | Technology & Me | FRIENDS (PART I) | Custom Web Design | Speedcat Hollydale | ConteAqui | Pro Audio Matrix | Working at Home Mom | Google4Google | The Review Blog | The Fun Filled Blog | T’s Blogspace | cari duit online | TheTechThing | The Millionaire Secrets | RescueMe | only the best | Chicago 2016 | An Anonymous Journal | Tips On Blogging | TheTechThing | DanAtMeDog’s Vox | The Millionaire Secrets | Weight Loss | the QuickStop | Jokes | Tollywood Hot Actresses | Bollywood Hot Actresses | Hollywood Beauties | Thoughts to blogs | MeL-o | MUSIC@MISYA | MeL | She Rambles On | MAXFORAS | Chicago 2016 | Blank Canvas | Letters From The Soul | Creationist’s Fantasy | silverfork | Paranormal & More | Pinoy Nurse! |ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags |ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags | ViralTags |

Important: Once I get a ping back from you, I will add your anchor text and the associated link you designate as “Host Tag” here, replacing one of the “ViralTags” from the matrix above. As more and more bloggers copy and paste this matrix, the more backlinks you will have from your anchor text. If everybody who copies and pastes from your blog does the same, pretty soon this will spread and go viral. Remember, the sooner you participate, the more links you will receive!

=========== Copy and Paste below this line ===========

There it is folks. This should help you improve your Technorati ranking, SERP and Google PR. Please leave comment here if you have copied from this matrix so that I can add you just in case your ping back didn’t reach me.

Rules
No Porn Sites
Only 1 link per person (i.e don’t hog the viralink!)
Please don’t tamper with other peoples url’s

The First Post, a win from auction.ph and yugatech.com!

Woho00oo! Just got home from an out-of-town trip and when i got home, this package greets me, the package which i anticipated from auction.ph. I won these from yugatech.com's New year giveaway, sponsored by non other than Auction.ph , the Philippine's most trusted Buy and Sell site. Thanks to Mr. Manu Ofiaza for sending the package, oh, the shirt fits me just well :)
Thanks again!

Deadline of filing for the 2008 Nurses Licensure Examination

The PROFESSIONAL REGULATION COMMISSION announces that the schedules and deadlines in filing applications for the Nurses Licensure Examinations for year 2008 are as follows:

DATES of Exam	DAYS of Exam	DEADLINE
JUNE 1 & 2, 2008	SUNDAY & MONDAY	APR18, 2008
NOVEMBER 29 & 30, 2008	SATURDAY & SUNDAY	OCT17, 2008

The PRC is now accepting applications for the June 2008 NLE at the PRC Central Office and at the PRC regional offices in the cities of Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi, Lucena, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga. Some 80,000 to 100,000 or more examinees are expected to take the NLE in June 2008.

Graduates of March or April 2008 will be accepted in the June 2008 examination, provided, they will be able to submit, at the time of filing applications on or before the deadline, all the documentary requirements, i.e., Transcript of Records with scanned picture, Birth Certificate in NSO security paper, Notarized/Sworn Summary of Related Learning Experience and OR/DR cases, .

The PRC enjoins early filing of applications to avoid over-crowding at the PRC filing centers.

APPLICATIONS WILL NO LONGER BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE DEADLINE.

p.s. There were some confusions regarding the filing deadline for the 2008 Nurses Licensure Exam prompting the PRC to release a circular memo, click HERE to download the Memorandum Circular No. 2008-01.

7 Medical Myths and the Facts.

I'm sure we've all heard of at least one of these myths and the facts behind them.

The Myth

• >People should drink at least eight glasses of water a day.
  
• >We use only 10% of our brains.
  
• >Hair and fingernails continue to grow after death^.
  
• >Shaving hair causes it to grow back faster, darker, or coarser.
  
• >Reading in dim light ruins your eyesight.
  
• Eating turkey makes people especially drowsy
  
• Mobile phones create considerable electromagnetic interference in hospitals.

The Facts

• People should drink at least eight glasses of water a day

The advice to drink at least eight glasses of water a day can be found throughout the popular press. One origin may be a 1945 recommendation that stated: A suitable allowance of water for adults is 2.5 litres daily in most instances. An ordinary standard for diverse persons is 1 millilitre for each calorie of food. Most of this quantity is contained in prepared foods. If the last, crucial sentence is ignored, the statement could be interpreted as instruction to drink eight glasses of water a day.

Another endorsement may have come from a prominent nutritionist, Frederick Stare, who once recommended, without references, the consumption "around 6 to 8 glasses per 24 hours," which could be "in the form of coffee, tea, milk, soft drinks, beer, etc." The complete lack of evidence supporting the recommendation to drink six to eight glasses of water a day is exhaustively catalogued in an invited review by Heinz Valtin in the American Journal of Physiology.That adequate fluid intake is usually met through typical daily consumption of juice, milk, and even caffeinated drinks. In contrast, drinking excess amounts of water can be dangerous, resulting in water intoxication, hyponatraemia, and even deathFurthermore, existing studies suggest that adequate fluid intake is usually met through typical daily consumption of juice, milk, and even caffeinated drinks. In contrast, drinking excess amounts of water can be dangerous, resulting in water intoxication, hyponatraemia, and even death.

• We use only 10% of our brains

The belief that we use only 10% of our brains has persisted for over a century, despite dramatic advances in neuroscience. In another extensive expert literature review, Barry Beyerstein provides a detailed account of the origins of this myth and the evidence disputing it. Some sources attribute this claim to Albert Einstein, but no such reference or statement by Einstein has ever been recorded.^w10 This myth arose as early as 1907, propagated by multiple sources advocating the power of self improvement and tapping into each person’s unrealised latent abilities.

Evidence from studies of brain damage, brain imaging, localisation of function, microstructural analysis, and metabolic studies show that people use much more than 10% of their brains. Studies of patients with brain injury suggest that damage to almost any area of the brain has specific and lasting effects on mental, vegetative, and behavioural capabilities. Numerous types of brain imaging studies show that no area of the brain is completely silent or inactive. The many functions of the brain are highly localised, with different tasks allocated to different anatomical regions.Detailed probing of the brain has failed to identify the "non-functioning" 90%.Even micro-level localisation, isolating the response of single neurones, reveals no gaps or inactive areas. Metabolic studies, tracking differential rates of cellular metabolism within the brain, reveal no dormant areas.

• Hair and fingernails continue to grow after death

Morbid information about the body captures the imagination and reinforces medical mythology. In All Quiet on the Western Front, the author describes a friend’s fingernails growing in corkscrews after the burial. Johnny Carson even perpetuated this myth with his joke, "For three days after death hair and fingernails continue to grow, but phone calls taper off." To quote the expert opinion of forensic anthropologist William Maples, "It is a powerful, disturbing image, but it is pure moonshine. No such thing occurs."

This myth does have a basis in a biological phenomenon that can occur after death. As Maples and numerous dermatologists explain, dehydration of the body after death and drying or desiccation may lead to retraction of the skin around the hair or nails. The skin’s retraction can create an appearance of increased length or of greater prominence because of the optical illusion created by contrasting the shrunken soft tissues with the nails or hair. The actual growth of hair and nails, however, requires a complex hormonal regulation not sustained after death.

• Shaving hair causes it to grow back faster, darker, or coarser

Another common belief is that shaving hair off will cause it to grow back in a darker or coarser form or to grow back faster. It is often reinforced by popular media sources and perhaps by people contemplating the quick appearance of stubble on their own body.

Strong scientific evidence disproves these claims. As early as 1928, a clinical trial showed that shaving had no effect on hair growth. More recent studies confirm that shaving does not affect the thickness or rate of hair regrowth. In addition, shaving removes the dead portion of hair, not the living section lying below the skin’s surface, so it is unlikely to affect the rate or type of growth. Shaved hair lacks the finer taper seen at the ends of unshaven hair, giving an impression of coarseness. Similarly, the new hair has not yet been lightened by the sun or other chemical exposures, resulting in an appearance that seems darker than existing hair.

• Reading in dim light ruins your eyesight

The fearful idea that reading in dim light could ruin one’s eyesight probably has its origins in the physiological experience of eye strain. Suboptimal lighting can create a sensation of having difficulty in focusing. It also decreases the rate of blinking and leads to discomfort from drying, particularly in conditions of voluntary squinting. The important counterpoint is that these effects do not persist.

The majority consensus in ophthalmology, as outlined in a collection of educational material for patients, is that reading in dim light does not damage your eyes. Although it can cause eye strain with multiple temporary negative effects, it is unlikely to cause a permanent change on the function or structure of the eyes. Even in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome (an autoimmune disease that features inflammation in certain glands of the body), decreased functional visual acuity associated with strained reading improves when they stop reading.

One review article on myopia concludes that increased use of one’s eyes, such as reading in dim light or holding books too close to the face, could result in impaired ocular growth and refractive error.The primary evidence cited was epidemiological evidence of the increased prevalence of myopia and the high incidence of myopia in people with more academic experience. The author notes that this hypothesis is just beginning to "gain scientific credence." In the past reading conditions involved even less light, relying on candles or lanterns, so increased rates of myopia over the past several centuries does not necessarily support that dim reading conditions are to blame. In contrast to that review, hundreds of online expert opinions conclude that reading in low light does not hurt your eyes.

• Eating turkey makes people especially drowsy

The presence of tryptophan in turkey may be the most commonly known fact pertaining to amino acids and food. Scientific evidence shows that tryptophan is involved in sleep and mood control and can cause drowsiness.L-tryptophan has been marketed as a sleep aid.

The myth is the idea that consuming turkey (and the tryptophan it contains) might particularly predispose someone to sleepiness. Actually, turkey does not contain an exceptional amount of tryptophan. Turkey, chicken, and minced beef contain nearly equivalent amounts of tryptophan (about 350 mg per 115 g), while other common sources of protein, such as pork or cheese, contain more tryptophan per gram than turkey.^w42 Any effects of the tryptophan in turkey are probably minimised by consuming it in combination with other food, which would limit its absorption according to expert opinion. In fact, consuming supplemental tryptophan on an empty stomach is recommended to aid absorption. Other physiological mechanisms explain drowsiness after meals. Any large solid meal (such as turkey, sausages, stuffing, and assorted vegetables followed by Christmas pudding and brandy butter) can induce sleepiness because blood flow and oxygenation to the brain decreases,and meals either high in protein or carbohydrate may cause drowsiness.^w46-w51 Accompanying wine may also play a role.

• Mobile phones create considerable electromagnetic interference in hospitals

In a search by www.snopes.com we could not find any cases of death caused by the use of a mobile phone in a hospital or medical facility. Less serious incidents, including false alarms on monitors, malfunctions in infusion pumps, and incorrect readings on cardiac monitors, have occasionally been reported. Although no references or dates are given, one government website published an anecdote in 2002 describing how use of a mobile phone in an intensive care unit resulted in an unintended bolus of adrenaline (epinephrine) from an infusion pump. After publication of a journal article citing more than 100 reports of suspected electromagnetic interference with medical devices before 1993, the Wall Street Journal published a front page article highlighting this danger. Since that time, many hospitals banned the use of mobile phones, perpetuating the belief.

Despite the concerns, there is little evidence. In the United Kingdom, early studies showed that mobile phones interfered with only 4% of devices and only at a distance of <1> in 2005, in 510 tests performed with 16 medical devices and six mobile telephones, the incidence of clinically important interference was 1.2%. Similarly rigorous testing in Europe found minimal interference and only at distances less than 1 meter. Recent technological improvements may be lessening even this minimal interference. A 2007 study, examining mobile phones "used in a normal way," found no interference of any kind during 300 tests in 75 treatment rooms. In contrast, a large survey of anaesthesiologists suggested that use of mobile phones by doctors was associated with reduced risk of medical error or injury resulting from delays in communication (relative risk 0.78; 95% confidence interval 0.62 to 0.96).

It's funny that I actually believed three of the myths listed to be true. Hehehe.. All references can be found HERE.

Are we too crowded with Nurses? How badly do they really need us?

As I was on my way to the hospital where I am working, I noticed a significant increase in the number of nursing students I've been seeing lately. Almost 60% of the total population of the school that I graduated were nursing students, from 40% in my college days to a whooping 60% at present time, not to mention the other colleges who offer nursing education here in my city and in the Philippines in general.
When these youngsters graduate, would you consider the Philippines as way too crowded with nurses, with the rate of our Nursing Service Personnels flying out of the country?

Defintion of Nurses: individuals who successfully completed a BS degree in Nursing and has successfully passed the Local Nursing Licensure Exam (PNLE), may or may not be employed in a hospital.

I've done a little research and compiled some of the top global destinations of nurses and their projected Personnel Shortage below.

Projected Shortage:

United States

• 275,000 RN FTE shortfall in 2010

• 808,000 RN FTE shortfall in 2020

Canada

• National projections unavailable

• 30,000 RNs will be lost in 50-65 age group by 2006, a 13% loss from 2001

England

• 108,000 additional RN FTEs needed by 2020

Wales

• 6,000 additional RNs needed by 2010

Australia

• Projected shortage of 40,000 nurses by 2010

New Zealand

• RN shortages reported throughout health sector

I've added some Factors that are leading our nurses (and students actually to take up nursing) to seek an employment abroad aside from the obvious financial freedom.

Push Factors

• Low pay - Pinoy nurses earns an average of Php8,000/month

• Poor working conditions - You've seen our public hospitals, you be the judge.

• Poorly resourced systems - again, our political system is corrupt leading to a corrupted health sector.

• Limited career opportunities - not to mention expensive. (masters, ph.d's, specializations)

• Limited education - few masteral degrees available in the Philippines.

• Dangerous environment - shortage of gloves is one contributing factor. None/shortage of protective apparels (masks, gowns, goggles)

• Economic instability - fluctuating PPPeso.

Pull Factors

• Higher pay/ opportunities for remittances - Isn't this obvious?

• Better working conditions - You get paid better by doing less.

• Better resourced systems - Foreign health sectors are far more efficient in terms of budget and delivery of services.

• Career opportunities - e.g. nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, travel nurse.

• Provision of post-basic education - foreign employers are strict on implementing CE units, thus providing more specialization opportunities.

• Political stability - at least, not as shaky as the Philippine's.

• Travel opportunities - You work.You earn.You travel and get vacations for free.

Click HERE for immigration links that might help your dollar quest.

How healthy are you?

Have you ever asked yourself this question? The new definition of health according to the World Health Organization is "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity and the ability to lead a socially and economically productive life."
Do we have a method to actually measure our state of wellness or our state of health?
Being healthy is not just about the number of calories you burn per day, the total body fat percentage you have, the kind of food you consume or wearing safety precautions when travelling. Being healthy is having balance on all our life aspects, Psychological, Spiritual, Physical and Psychosocial.

I took a health test on ReadersDigest and fairly scored 43 which means that I'm at low risk for disease conditions. It does not actually say how healthy I am, but still being a low risk for diseases comforts me.

There are a lot of health quizzes on the internet but I chose to recommend these two sites since it has more credibility and more researchers on their side.

• Readers Digest's Health Test
• Newsweek's Health Assessment Quiz

Both tests would only take around 5-10mins and differ in a few ways. Just answer the questions truthfully and if you are concerned with the results, you may need to see your doctor for it.

-dan

Win Another Hundred Bucks at Linkbaitme

-->> note: this contest is on-going at linkbaitme.com and the sites listed below who will pay whoever will win. <<--


The rules and links are between these lines:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To gain entries into the contest, just do any of the following:
- Subscribe to RSS via email = 2 entries (per blog you subscribe to!)
- Make a comment of value (not just "i agree", etc.) on a post = 1 entry (remember to comment on all blogs)
- Write a post about the contest on your blog (must include a link to this page and the links below to participating blogs) = 25 entries

How much easier can we make it? So you can sneak in with just one entry by simply posting a comment here, you can increase your odds by reading and commenting on a few more posts here and at one of the blogs below and maybe subscribe to a couple, or you can really up the odds and subscribe to all all of our blogs (which you'll enjoy reading anyway), comment on a bunch of posts, and blog about this contest. The more entries you earn, the better your odds, of course. If you're going to post about this contest, just grab the image and code from here.

The deadline for this contest is 12:00 AM February 1, 2008.

Who wants to pay you?
- JoeTech.com
- Link Bait
- Gorilla Sushi
- Mixed Market Arts
- CK Marketing
- The Big Bald Blog
- How 2 Blogger

---- did all of those, I hope to win .. heheh -----


The Year of Rattus norvegicus , the RAT.

Last night, it was about 11pm, came from work (3-11pm shift) went straight ahead to my room only to find out that rattus paid me a visit, I was about to open the door when something fast came across me, a pesky little HUGE rat. Then, I thought, hmmm... this must be my lucky year since i was born on the year of Ox, which is directly compatible to the Rat according to ancient Chinese Zodiac. The ratty was literally knockin' on my door.
To commence this post, I would like to share a disease commonly caused by the rats excreted waste products (feces and urine).

Leptospirosis and it's chain.

Leptospirosis is caused by a spirochaete bacterium called Leptospira spp. that has at 5 different serovars of importance in the United States causing disease (icterohaemorrhagiae, canicola, pomona, grippotyphosa, and bratislava).^[3] There are other (less common) infectious strains. It should however be noted that genetically different leptospira organisms may be identical serologically and vice versa. Hence, an argument exists on the basis of strain identification. The traditional serologic system is seemingly more useful from diagnostic and epidemiologic standpoint at the moment (which may change with further development and spread of technologies like PCR).

Nursing Interventions - click here
For a complete information regarding the disease, click here. From Pathophysiology to Medical Interventions.

Have a bountiful and blissful, 2008 everyone!

-dan

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE in a reader or Subscribe to Pinoy Nurse by Email to get the latest, and nothing but!

IV Therapy Updates (3 days)

There will be a 3-day IV Therapy update this coming February 26-28, 2008 at Deluxe Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City.

I still don't have the full detail of the event but what I am sure of is that it is 24 CEU (Continuing Education Units) which is needed to renew our license as a Nurse.
The cost of the said event is Php2,500, inclusive of : Free Lunch, Light Snacks, Seminar Kits and other freebies. Contact details will be posted here ASAP.

I will post further details of the event as soon as i get a hold of the memo / invitation.
If you like, you can

Subscribe to Pinoy Nurse by an RSS reader

or Subscribe by Email.

Thanks

-dan

Sorry for the look.

sorry, the blog looks really trashy now. i cant seem to display the ads properly. i'll check back on it later. i still have work to do.

ciao.

-dan

Okay, no new posts for today.

So, as you can see the site has a new layout.. something that is more pleasing (IMO).
its 4am, gotta sleep. just need to figure out whats wrong with my adsense ads on the right
furnishing to be done tomorrow.
happy clicking!


-dan

join me at QASSIA.com

join me at http://asdix07.qassia.com and earn 500$ or more. this is actually true.

for internet cafe users, be sure that the computer you are using has not actually registered with qassia or they will not validate your sign up. had a warning with this one when used the same unit to actually sign up another individual..

see u there and lets start sharing knowledge (intel)

-dan

Disease Focus: Brain Tumor / Brain Neoplasms

Brain Tumors and Interdependent Treatments

Relevant information about brain tumors. I've had several cases of patients having brain tumor, one of the most memorable(is this word politically correct?) was that of the tumor actually caused a rupture of a minor vessel which lead to internal hemorrhage. Read on for a detailed insight into Brain Neoplasms.

Neoplasms of the intracranial components of the central nervous system, including the cerebral hemispheres, basal ganglia, hypothalamus, thalamus, brain stem, and cerebellum. Brain neoplasms are subdivided into primary (originating from brain tissue) and secondary (i.e., metastatic) forms. Primary neoplasms are subdivided into benign and malignant forms. In general, brain tumors may also be classified by age of onset, histologic type, or presenting location in the brain.

• Benign brain tumors do not contain cancer cells:

  • Usually, benign tumors can be removed, and they seldom grow back.

  • The border or edge of a benign brain tumor can be clearly seen. Cells from benign tumors do not invade tissues around them or spread to other parts of the body. However, benign tumors can press on sensitive areas of the brain and cause serious health problems.

  • Unlike benign tumors in most other parts of the body, benign brain tumors are sometimes life threatening.

  • Very rarely, a benign brain tumor may become malignant.

• Malignant brain tumors contain cancer cells:

  • Malignant brain tumors are generally more serious and often are life threatening.

  • They are likely to grow rapidly and crowd or invade the surrounding healthy brain tissue.

  • Very rarely, cancer cells may break away from a malignant brain tumor and spread to other parts of the brain, to the spinal cord, or even to other parts of the body. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.

  • Sometimes, a malignant tumor does not extend into healthy tissue. The tumor may be contained within a layer of tissue. Or the bones of the skull or another structure in the head may confine it. This kind of tumor is called encapsulated.

• Doctors sometimes group brain tumors by grade—from low grade (grade I) to high grade (grade IV). The grade of a tumor refers to the way the cells look under a microscope. Cells from high-grade tumors look more abnormal and generally grow faster than cells from low-grade tumors.

Primary Brain Tumors

Tumors that begin in brain tissue are known as primary tumors of the brain. (Information about secondary brain tumors appears in the following section.) Primary brain tumors are named according to the type of cells or the part of the brain in which they begin.

The most common primary brain tumors are gliomas. They begin in glial cells. There are many types of gliomas:

• Astrocytoma—The tumor arises from star-shaped glial cells called astrocytes. In adults, astrocytomas most often arise in the cerebrum. In children, they occur in the brain stem, the cerebrum, and the cerebellum. A grade III astrocytoma is sometimes called an anaplastic astrocytoma. A grade IV astrocytoma is usually called a glioblastoma multiforme.

• Brain stem glioma—The tumor occurs in the lowest part of the brain. Brain stem gliomas most often are diagnosed in young children and middle-aged adults.

• Ependymoma—The tumor arises from cells that line the ventricles or the central canal of the spinal cord. They are most commonly found in children and young adults.

• Oligodendroglioma—This rare tumor arises from cells that make the fatty substance that covers and protects nerves. These tumors usually occur in the cerebrum. They grow slowly and usually do not spread into surrounding brain tissue. They are most common in middle-aged adults.

Some types of brain tumors do not begin in glial cells. The most common of these are:

• Medulloblastoma—This tumor usually arises in the cerebellum. It is the most common brain tumor in children. It is sometimes called a primitive neuroectodermal tumor.

• Meningioma—This tumor arises in the meninges. It usually grows slowly.

• Schwannoma—A tumor that arises from a Schwann cell. These cells line the nerve that controls balance and hearing. This nerve is in the inner ear. The tumor is also called an acoustic neuroma. It occurs most often in adults.

• Craniopharyngioma—The tumor grows at the base of the brain, near the pituitary gland. This type of tumor most often occurs in children.

• Germ cell tumor of the brain—The tumor arises from a germ cell. Most germ cell tumors that arise in the brain occur in people younger than 30. The most common type of germ cell tumor of the brain is a germinoma.

• Pineal region tumor—This rare brain tumor arises in or near the pineal gland. The pineal gland is located between the cerebrum and the cerebellum.

Secondary Brain Tumors

When cancer spreads from its original place to another part of the body, the new tumor has the same kind of abnormal cells and the same name as the primary tumor. Cancer that spreads to the brain from another part of the body is different from a primary brain tumor. When cancer cells spread to the brain from another organ (such as the lung or breast), doctors may call the tumor in the brain a secondary tumor or metastatic tumor. Secondary tumors in the brain are far more common than primary brain tumors.

Brain Tumors: Who's at Risk?

No one knows the exact causes of brain tumors. Doctors can seldom explain why one person develops a brain tumor and another does not. However, it is clear that brain tumors are not contagious. No one can "catch" the disease from another person.

Research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop a brain tumor. A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of developing a disease.

The following risk factors are associated with an increased chance of developing a primary brain tumor:

• Being male—In general, brain tumors are more common in males than females. However, meningiomas are more common in females.

• Race—Brain tumors occur more often among white people than among people of other races.

• Age—Most brain tumors are detected in people who are 70 years old or older. However, brain tumors are the second most common cancer in children. (Leukemia is the most common childhood cancer.) Brain tumors are more common in children younger than 8 years old than in older children.

• Family history—People with family members who have gliomas may be more likely to develop this disease.

• Being exposed to radiation or certain chemicals at work:

  • Radiation—Workers in the nuclear industry have an increased risk of developing a brain tumor.

  • Formaldehyde—Pathologists and embalmers who work with formaldehyde have an increased risk of developing brain cancer. Scientists have not found an increased risk of brain cancer among other types of workers exposed to formaldehyde.

  • Vinyl chloride—Workers who make plastics may be exposed to vinyl chloride. This chemical may increase the risk of brain tumors.

  • Acrylonitrile—People who make textiles and plastics may be exposed to acrylonitrile. This exposure may increase the risk of brain cancer.

Scientists are investigating whether cell phones may cause brain tumors. Studies thus far have not found an increased risk of brain tumors among people who use cell phones.

Scientists also continue to study whether head injuries are a risk factor for brain tumors. So far, these studies have not found an increased risk among people who have had head injuries.

Most people who have known risk factors do not get brain cancer. On the other hand, many who do get the disease have none of these risk factors. People who think they may be at risk should discuss this concern with their doctor. The doctor may be able to suggest ways to reduce the risk and can plan an appropriate schedule for checkups.