MikeLigalig.com

Hahaha!

Mr. Ferniz, I used to play the TNMT video games for the super nintendo (Turtles in Time) back in the early mid 90's as a child. And I was surprised when I came back for college break back in winter of '07 that my little brothers were playing the Xbox 360 video game TMNT. hahaha.

Good things never change, I guess.

I tried playing with them but they are too good. They defeated their Kuya Bran. Then again, Don and Andre did double team on me hahaha.

Kids. Gotta love em.

aa,

Well said, well said, and in great form!

I have spent some hours in our anatomy laboratory with cadavers with some of my classmates at night in identifying the specific lymph nodes, and deep lymph vessels such as the right lymphatic duct and the thoracic duct, which are special vessels that transport ECF (extracellular fluid), cellular debris, and wastes out of the body's entire body. The lymphatic system is imperative to human health because it provides the manifestation of the Sterling Hypothesis, which states that wastes within the cellular body, the ECF are entered back into the blood through osmotic pressure. And it is the lymphatic system of the body that drains these wastes providing an 'overflow' system that drains  surplus tissue flow and leaked plasma proteins to the bloodstream, as well for the removal of debris from cellular decomposition and infection. This is why the lymphatics is extremely imperative for organismal health.

If we have a non-functioning lympathic system or part of the lymphatics that is not operating due to degeneracy or due to repressors, we have the result of accullation of debris, ECF, and cellular wastes within a given system--and this in turns reverses the natural flow--thereby causing edema in the body. Its system is explained in basic physics. Hence the importance of the system.

Now, can you imagine, that as a student, here I am with some of my colleagues staying in our cadaver lab at night to have a better understanding of given lymph nodes, lymphatic plexi, lymphatic vessels, and given lymph tissues within the walls of the digestive tract, the spleen, the thymus and the nodes itself. The way we are designed as we are taught in anatomy, is so perfectly knitted.

I mean, the way we have the right lymphatic duct that specializes in only the upper right hand quadrant of the body and the thoracic duct focusing on the latter 3/4ths of the body.

There are special systems in place that produces a healthy circuit of this system and if the circuit is impeded or occluded in any way, then of course, manifestation of problems will occur. As what medical science can point out. And to me, I stand marveled at the beauty of the human body and the inner processes that makes us run and operate. System by system.

And what a glorious and wondrous creator we have to have designed us so impeccably perfect. It is perfection how we are created. Given, we have our own systemic degeneracies but that is due to environmental or personal habituations (per se smoking, drinking, over sex, disease proliferation; poor personal hygienics).

Some of the SUVs that I like:


Mercedes GL series


Acura MDX


Toyota Sequoia

BM2 320i

I like this car. Fuel efficiency, luxurious interior, and excellent transmission. Powerful engine.

Mike,

I like this particular article because it is a good tactic to use when an atheist questions one's faith. And puts one into a defensive.

I've had conversations with atheists and many of whom are friends of mine. The truth to it is that atheists just do not believe. They cannot fathom the concept of a Divine; many of them have a similar claim that Religion is a brainwashing technique that has enslaved Mankind and prevented it from reaching its full potential of understanding.

I am always intrigued in their thinking and their reasons and their refutes. In these kinds of situations we must take their words with salt. Don't take it to heart.

The way I do it is to listen to them. Most of them will never accept our point of view as to them, we are the ones that are wrong and brainwashed. Or as they would term it as 'poisoned by the opiate of the masses'.

They will tell us 'so what will you do when there really is no God? And that there is no Salvation? And no afterlife?'

I answer them, "Well, since I will be dead, I won't have any fear or consciousness of it. If there is no afterlife, then I'll never know because I'll be dead. As when we die, all neural activity ceases. Absolute nothingness. No worries, No pains. Nothing"

And I ask them in return, "Now, tell me, what will you do when you die and you wake up and find out that there REALLY is a GOD. A God that you rejected and denied all your life?"

Religion defines what it means to be human because the belief of a religion and an All-knowing, All-powerful Supreme Being provides comfort for man. Man, throughout the continuum of Animals in God's green Earth, is the only one that toils and stresses about the concept of existentialism. Milieu to this are the question of where we came from, how did we get here, what will happen to us after death, will there be a resurrection or will there just be decomposition and decay--reverted back to the Earth and used as fodder by other living organisms.

From such basic questions comes the concept of religion; and led to the rise of polytheistic as well as monotheistic religions. All of which provides some sort of comfort to the mind of man that his very existence was, in all counts and purposes, was for something and was willed by a Great Being beyond his own understanding. Afterall, all men, either great or small, want to know that they lived and completed a purpose in their lives.

Religion, provides the social as well as cultural netting for man. It provides a sense of comfort to his over-active brain; one that is unsurpassed by any other animal in the continuum of Eukaryota or Prokaryota. This concept is universal throughout mankind. We see semblances of it in Egypt, with the Pharaohs building huge monuments to themselves and to proclaim their Divinity and or Love of the Panthenon of Dieties. Psychologically, it worked for their civilization, because:
1) Pharaoh was recognized as a Living, Breathing God in the body of a Man; who, upon death, would join the Gods.
2) The belief system and the monuments to Pharaoh and dieties provided a social and religious system that provided for the Egyptians and gave them a sense of relief and purpose in their own lives. For fear of being judged wrongly by the Divine in the afterlife.
3) Pharaohs complied and believed in the notion of their own Divinity so as to support and legitimize their own rule. And their power. In their mind and understanding, their position as Pharaoh was proof of Divinity. In Pharaoh's hands was the power to extinguish life, conquer nations, create and build temples, providing for food and grain for the people. All of which, to the thinking of the ancient Egyptian commoner and slaves, were 'superhuman' traits. And thus, thought of Divine.

We see the same in Aztec, Incan, Roman, Chinese, Indian, and other civilizations around the world.

Hahaha, it is so true though. Massaging is the best form of therapeutics before sleep because it moves the epidermal tissues, which stimulates vasodilation and in the process allows the integumentary process to maintain homeostasis. Massage also is a destresser agent because the massaging motion of the muscle allows and stimulates blood flow and stimulates the muscles innervated by the neuronal tributaries.

In the process you allow healthy flow of oxygenated blood throughout the heart to arteries, capillaries, which permeates to the skeletal system; through the ligaments and other cartilagenous branches. From this any carbon dioxide and poorly oxygenated blood go back to the venoules, which drains back to the minor and major veins (superior/inferior vena cava) and is then re-oxygenated in the heart. Where it completes the circulatory systemic route again.

As a result, there is a greater flow of oxygen-rich blood in the body; and stimulates sleep.

Maayong Gabii, Ma'am!

Ma'am Lee, now I am so hungry uy! haha. Salamat po, am doing my best. You take care too, Ma'am Lee. Hope all is well back home.

hahaha.

I remember when I first arrived to the 'states with my mom, dad and little sister back in December of 1991.

My Mom and Dad took us to downtown Manhattan and to the local Toys R Us there. My eyes were like in kid paradise. I've never seen so many toys in my life--in one shelf alone were more toys than the ones I used to cry over in Bohol Quality Mall back in early 90-91. hahaha

I remember one time I got lost and my parents were looking around for me. They found me in the toy figurine aisle. In my hand I had the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles boxes. I clearly remember the characters too; I had Leonardo, Rafael, and Donatello and the Shredder figurine. lol.

They were the first toys I got in the US.

haha good times.

What are you cooking, Ms. Lee? Now I'm getting hungry. lol

I disagree.

Ha,

That was my favorite toy store when I was but a child. Toy's R Us.

I agree with you, aa.

For me, I think that academic reasoning and scientific understanding holds significant meaning. As a scientist, I do understand the views of fellow colleagues in their questionings. In milieu with that concept; I cannot help but question and it leads back to the question of the Big Bang.

In these days there seems to be some tension with religionists and scientists in this aspect; where the religionist clings strongly to scriptural passages for answers and for guidance. And the scientist, trained in scientific reasoning, questions and examines processes.

The major fault line is the concept of creationism and the coming of life. Questions arise such as the big bang's occurrence, why it occurred, when did it occur, what was present before its occurrence. And the like.

For me, personally, I believe that there is only so much man can understand. We will never know when the big bang occurred, and what existed before, if ever.   

I've had rough arguments with colleagues in the past with this is that they ridiculed me in my 'futility' for acquiescence. And as I said in the video, I reiterate it again. There is only so much that man can understand. Perhaps I'm wrong, perhaps I'm right. Who knows.

The very notion of human thought and reasoning for existentialism, by right of phenomena, is proof of the Divine's presence.

It is the basis that separates Man from the continuum of Animals.


Best,

William Faber, an English convert to Catholicism wrote this and other beautiful hymns which today can be found in both Catholic and Protestant hymnals.
The Eucharist is the most sublime of sacraments. John 20:28 Thomas answered, and said to him: My Lord, and my God

Jesus, my Lord, my God, my all,
How can I love Thee as I ought?
And how revere this wond'rous gift,
So far surpassing hope or thought.
Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore.
O make us love Thee more and more!
O make us love Thee more and more!

Had I but Mary's sinless heart,
To love Thee with, my dearest King;
O with what bursts of fervent praise,
Thy goodness, Jesus, would I sing!
Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore.
O make us love Thee more and more!
O make us love Thee more and more!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ4tEFPuhYI&feature=related

I had the honor in attending a large event like this before during my attendance at the Collegiate Catholic Conference held in Gannon University Erie, Pennsylvania.

The experience is beyond words. Nothing can explain it; words cannot even come close.

The LORD Jesus Christ through the Blessed Holy Sacrament.


In the words of His Eminence, Bishop Trautman, "Cling STRONG to your faith! Your GOD! When others persecute you for your faith, bless them. Pray for them. Never loose your sight to the Lord, who will always strengthen you."

Luuy kaayo ang story. Loyal to the very end..

Another favorite,

Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:28-31


I like this particular verse because it reminds me that alone, we are nothing. We all fight and look for a greater cause, a greater idea and a greater being than our own selves. Either we recognize this or are beginning to just question. This innate psyche within the faithful and those who are still longing to find faith, is a natural quest. And it is The Heavenly Father, who we can access through His Loving Son and our Redeemer, Christ Jesus, God Blessed Forever.

The Lord, to me, is The Most Loving Heart. His support knows no boundaries, and his love knows no limitation.

It is this unconditional love that comes from the Father, through the Son, that strengthens all of us.

This verse reminds me of that special bond He has with us and continues to offer to those who would just hear him. As the Lord tells us that 'those who can hear OUGHT to hear.'

Christ Be Our Light.

God Bless you All

I just came back from dinner with some of my colleagues. It feels so good to be finished with studies this week; who ever said that Fridays were useless is totally wrong. Fridays, for us, is our only 'time off' day. hahaha.

Plan for tomorrow? Meet up with Jeff, Katie, Chris for a brief 4 hour review for Histology.

Nothing too hard; just light reviews.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS06grlPKUI

My personal views on the concept of the Big Bang; its relation to Academic Reasoning and Faith.

Join me in dialogue. Your views and input will be greatly appreciated.



Best,
Bran Lorenzo

I get someone to massage me. That makes me sleep.

Honestly, I really don't know. The only True Love I know is that of God.

hahaha Bon, of course my dear friend, I LOVE leche flan. My mom and my Auntie Beth make really good leche flan. But Mommy makes hers sweeter kai she puts extra carnation milk. She cooks it Valencia-style hahaha.

It is medically unhealthy food. Pero, i don't care because it is one of those 'bad' foods that is just impossible to not eat. You know what I mean? hahaha

And ube jam. Whenever Mommy cooks that stuff, theres none left cuz Daddy usually eats it hahaha.

But yea ube jam and cold milk tastes good man. I used to eat that stuff back when I was a kid in Valencia. Hahaha..good ol' memories.




This is why I need to find me a Boholana wife in the future. hahahaha!

The tactics and history of the MNLF, MILF, Abu Sayaff is barbarous and totally inhumane.

I wish the Spanish Colonial Government went further deeper into southern Mindanao and continued its Christian Evangelism in the south and not have abated in the late 18th century.

Strategically speaking, it would have been better.

I would like to get back to the topic. And I do reiterate in the absurdity of the claims of the MILF. My views on the subject matter is that Filipinos who are threatened by unchecked islamofascism have the right and SHOULD be able to arm themselves and defend themselves from those who would threaten their lives, their families and their property.

Knowing the limits of the AFP, one cannot be too careful and rely solely on the military's intervention.

My support and my prayers go to the people of Mindanao who are unfortunately trapped by such fighting and those who are plagued by continuous militant islamofascism.

Today we were introduced to the techniques of transphenoidal approaches of anatomy. And what an awesome technique it is! Today I utilized a surgical saw and proceeded with bifrontal craniotomy; severing the frontal bone from the parietal suture, which was once a embryological cartilaginous attachment during the fetal stage (prior to birth). I had the honor of holding in my hands a human brain.

Our clinical approach focused more on the identification and understanding of the function of the specific nervous system. We identified the 12 cranial nerves and later were introduced to the first phase of the 31 spinal nerves that are  part of the tributary system of the central nervous system--which later innervates into the processes of the peripheral nervous system. Innervating specific muscles.

I really really realize that I have a love for surgery and surgical openings; and was delighted to hear from my instructor that I have a 'surgeon's touch' especially when I surgically manifested the bifrontal craniotomy.

I realized today that Surgery is definitely something I would like to specialize in.

I cannot wait till next week when we go inside the brain itself and begin sectioning.



ITS THE WEEKEND! Going to relax today and begin studying later tomorrow and some light reviews on Sunday with some students.

So what are your views with cuddling with a loved one/ special someone?

Top three things come to mind:

1) Stay Warm
2) Feel Safe
3) Sensations

Another romantic city: Boston

Large Company, definitely. More benefits that way.

To each his or her own. Just know that each action has positive or negative consequences to them.

Free Will, baby. Free Will.

Ate Ging,

My mom makes really good cassava cake and Leche Flan. And yes, Ube Jam. Lots more that I forget the names, hahahaha!

Hahaha, yes sir. Big boned and husky.

That is exactly the point I am stressing, Buwad. And I agree with you that the concept of ancestrality and hereditary right is an archaic concept.

These individuals lack a sense of education and at that, a sense of realism; rather they languor in their own pathetic idealism that would jeopardize the entire country. Which, in my opinion, is not only selfish but narcissistic and nihilistic.

There is strong similarity in their way of thinking as that of the NPA Communist Terrorists. The NPA want a communist revolution in the country and to distribute land to each and every single Filipino. Now tell me how are we going to logically and realistically distribute some 118,000 square miles of land to some 90 Million Filipino Citizens. Improbable, Impossible and Illogical.

Communism, by right, is a failed concept. It has failed in the USSR, failed in Cuba and even in China, it has failed. The Chinese, themselves, do not even follow a pure Communist concept--rather they follow a capitalistic autocratic system of governance. Which is a total antithesis of the original Communism that hardline communist such as Zedong and Stalin had in mind. The Chinese have a capitalistic autocratic style of government--with the presence of the powerful and rich few. An Oligarchic system. The very system the Communists in PRC battled to topple over in the late 1940s.

Talk about Animal Farm-esque eh? LoL!



This is the problem with idealists; they have already ostracized themselves from reality. Determination and unchecked idealism, in my opinion, is a deadly combination.

Quote from: Gingah on September 04, 2008, 11:01:40 PM
hahaha bantog diay pinoy di dako...ug lawas?

Pinoy man ko pero dakog man ahong lawas be? hahahaha!

Muah,

God bless this person!

From the bottom of my heart, I repeat it again, God Bless this person!

What a strong spirit and an inspiration to his fellow classmates and to people he has touched through his story and his life struggles.

God Bless You! Mr. William Tambis!

Sa 'states, pre.

And yourself? Asa man ka karoon?

Colleagues of mine. They had their white coat ceremony this week. Tara is a good friend of mine, bright kaayo ning bajiha.

haha, i admire your spirit, Buwad!

Amen to that! Long Live the Boholano and Boholana!

Cheers, Bro!

Congrats to Ms. Tara for getting her white coat in the College of Optometry.

haha, i completely agree with your last statement, buwad.

Cheers to all of us! For a good week!

by Era

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTN_O0wfUww

by Era

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tnor7MLbus&feature=related


Powerful!

by Enya

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRyJPLUUQCw&feature=related

by Enya

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IjIG_7Zt4U&feature=related

ha, someone is in love.

I just wonder..

hahaha!

Leogirl,

welcome to the forum! Please join us in the conversations in here.

Welcome and enjoy your stay!


Regards,

Ah, thanks kaayo for the clarification, Ms. Orchids.

Lami bitaw nang cassava. Man, now I'm craving my mom's home-made cassava cake.

aguy! Nothing compares to mom's cooking jud.

Quote from: Gingah on September 02, 2008, 05:15:12 PM
hahahaha DENY!

hahaha you know today is Opposite Day.

LOL j/p


Women and their high heels. So sexy yet so painful.

great song by Ms. Donna Cruz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djMS_UBkf6Q

Happy Birthday!

Happy Belated Birthday, Kyle!

Wishing you all the best! Miss you!

mmm! sounds delicious, yo!

Yea we have a little (very little) garden in our backyard that my mom grows. Sometimes she grows cabbage, green peppers, green beans, sometimes she grows egg plants, tomatoes. But she loves to grow roses.

Dude, you guys grow watermelons too? Awesome, yo!

And what is balanghoy? Never heard of that term before. Can you like show a picture of it?

Quote from: buwadsanga on September 03, 2008, 12:39:18 PM
well, you have your point lor. but we also look at Saudi Arabia with its land mass and various nomad tribes, the Fahad family had reunited them. they had done it from a pure and sincere leader. In Mindanao the problem is these, the moros felt they were deprived of their ancestral lands which are now cultivated /used by multinational companies such as Dole and Delmonte. There are stories that this moros are lazy to cultivate their lands and sell it to the Christians during the gov't campaign in settling mindanao being  the promise land. is their a possibility that Malaysia incited our muslim brothers so that the Sabah issue will be sidelined?
i think we are now at the point in history to wage war for peace!!!

We will never know if the Malaysians play a role in supporting these terrorist groups. All I know is that MILF is a well funded organization. The only close neighbor to the south is Malaysia.

Strategically speaking, the Malaysians know that a weakened Philippines will inhibit Manila from becoming the best it can be. A little rebellion here and there; suicide attacks here, insurgent attacks here. It does take a toll on the defense capabilities and the psyche of the people.

To the detriment of the Filipino people; but to the interests of nations that have all to loose to the rise of the Philippines.

Cheers,

These notions of 'cultural land' and 'ancestral land' has no basis in the Philippines as we, as a Republic, do not recognize hereditary rights that are common in autocratic and outdated monorchical states such as those in Malaysia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia etc.

As a republic, all citizens must be treated equally before the Law. And as mandated, all citizens must follow the Supreme Law of the Land. Which in this case happens to be the Constitution of the Philippines.

If these muslims think that they can reclaim 'ancestral' lands through the use of violent means (even though the land that they are so bitterly clamoring for are owned by companies and peoples through proper legal channels). They have no precedent at all.

I mean, what makes these muslims think they can have their way at the expense of the Filipino people and at the expense of the security and productivity of the particular province they live in--and as a systemic result--at the expense of the entire Nation?

They don't have a case. If we follow their precedent of returning their 'ancestral lands' then government, by order of precedent, should return and give back the ancestral lands of the Tagalog people, the Illocano people, the Negrito, the Ifugao people and the ethnic visayan tribes.

Realistically and logically, it is impossible to follow their demands as it violates almost every single fabric of international treatise, laws, and agreements.

The Philippines is the Philippines. There should be no such thing as Bangsamoro Nation, or Autonomous regions. Separatists tongues like this should be silenced and appropriately quelled for the sake of the entire country.

Their goal, dear friends, is for the separation and pragmaticism of the entire country. They would risk the security and peace of the republic for the sake of the few.

In this case, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Manila Government will have no choice but to defend the interests of the Republic on behalf of the Filipino Masses that it represents.

God be praised!

Today we had our first anatomical lab; cadaver lab. I was the team leader for my group; and had the honor in inervating the cadaver. I had the honor in making a Y-incision of the subject. With help from some of my group members we were able to open the anterior right and left rib fractures. What an exhilarating experience as we peeled open the ribs to reveal the upper thoracic viceris that are protected by the rib fractures. Exposing the circulatory system, the cardiothoracic and upper digestive.

Some of my fellow medical student colleagues joked around; some of us getting in supine and prone positions and our professor had us all demonstrate the 'proper' anatomicomedical position. With the head facing forward, the palmar surface of the digitalis facing; with arms in parallel position. With the lower extremity in parallel position as the upper appendicular, with both foot facing forward.

Our anatomy professor, Dr. Satheesha and Dr. Dusic are hilarious. He has a strict rigidity that befits a physician/professor, but he has hilarious tint to him that makes him so approachable. I really like his character.

So far, my first week has been above par. Making alot of acquaintances for the positive.

Thank God for it all! There's alot of studying involved, so much to do.

Depends from person to person. Nothing is ever fixed or permanent or relegated as a universal rule for one particular group of people.

The only solution to this pragmatic debacle is to completely and effectively obliterate such notions of the Bangsamoro Identity and completely liquidate the MILF in political power and influence.

I remain quite hostile to the Philippines' seemingly acqueiscant nature towards demands of these islamofascist separatists. By agreeing to terms of autonomy and giving control of lands to this so called 'organization', which has been linked to the international terrorist group called Al-Qaeda. And has had economic-political backing from extremist group called Islamiyaah Jerimiyaah.

Any continued compliance with such groups, namely the MILF/Bangsamoro, at the stake and safety of Filipino citizens who are loyal to the Philippine State is total dereliction of protection of citizen's rights and the universality as dictated by the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines.

This is why government needs to maintain a solid and astute stance towards these islamofascists, which have only in mind to carve up the Philippines into its own regional control; at the expense of the entire Nation's stability.

I believe that the only way to strategically reclaim Philippine suzerainty and national control is engage in combat with these terrorist groups that are attacking innocent civilians and are affronting the entity of the Republic. Philippine Law, the Law of the Land should be observed by these muslims; and the fact that they do not even follow laws, despite the fact that they are 'autonomous regions' but are nonetheless part of the Republic of the Philippines, are thus in fact obligated to follow the laws, dictums and postulates of the entire country. But they do not.

They do not follow or abide by the rules and laws; and have already set up a precedent on their respect (or lack of respect to the government in Manila). They already act this way and function this way as a small entity; imagine how they will react and act towards Manila say when they become totally and fully independent (which will happen if Manila continues in its acquiescant compliance with MILF demands).


Strategy and history tells us that it is not good to acquiesce to demands to a bitter and war-like entity for the sake of short-termed peace. Our extrapolations of Nazi Germany (which benefited from Europe's compliance in its 'Epansionist policy' for the sake of peace). Same can be said in Communist USSR, as well as in earlier epochs.

Clean the wound while it is still open; and not wait till it has already manifested primary, secondary and tertiary infection.

So as the medical saying goes. You get my point.



-Bran Lorenzo

Reading articles such as this unfortunately confirms the words of former Gobernador General Basilio Augustin in a political paper he wrote. He once said, 'The Filipinos are unable to govern themselves effectively due to vicious regionalism, which has existed even before Hispanidad of the Archipelago'.

And as I read more into Filipino history and regional wars such as this in Mindanao, I cannot help but agree to his statement and that of the statements of McKinley's administration.

I once thought that there really was a chance for the country to unite for the common goal of the 'Filipino' and the Philippines; in the same hopes as that of Mr. Ferniz. Truly, I did hold such views.

Now, reading things like this and from reading the rampart corruption, the rhetorical question I would like to leave in this thread is that, Can the Philippines ever unite and stop what history  deemed as ubiquitous regionalism

These Muslim separatists, this so called Bangsamoro Independent Identity, by all means, is an affront to the legitimacy of the Republic of the Philippines. By its very own existence. It not only violates national solidarity laws and territorial sovereignty of the Republic as mandated by the Hague Convention and by the United Nations Treaty on Territoriality and National Consolidity.

Today was nice day. I love my histology professor (hilarious and keeps a warm attitude in the classroom); we did general introductions today. Gross Anatomy is probably my favorite class today kai we dived immediately into material. Right now I am relaxing and getting ready to go to bed.

Tomorrow should be interesting; embryology and legal ethics should be nice.

Excuse me Ms. somebodywhosteppedonmyfootodayduringorientation,

I was really angry that you stepped on my foot. You know it's very inappropriate to wear high heels to class in the summer? But alas, your smile was nice.

I will forgive you for stepping on my feet if you promise to give me a big kiss on the cheeks.

These are my terms.

Accept or Deny?


Your Victim,

hahaha! Bon (already offtopic) what kinds of plants do you grow in your farm?

Toss me some mangoes, yo.

Or if you have any pineapples. Please send it my way.

hahaha, so no more white pants after tomorrow, eh Angie?



Happy Labor Day!

My mother always told me as a child and even now that I am an adult; when you are down and feel really low--you must Glorify God!

When you feel happy, beamed by success and wonder, then you must Exalt God

When you feel lonely and in need of support, call on the Name of God. For He will surely strengthen you and no man, no power, nothing in this earth--seen or unseen--can separate you from the LOVE of God.

One of my favorites,


"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn."
Psalm 18:32-36   

I can't help falling in love with you.

A special person sang that to me before. But we were just karaoking it. When she looked at my eyes, though, it felt like it was directed to me.

Ah, such is youthful love. Puppy love

Today, I was able to visit the anatomy lab to see everything. Our labs are pretty large, equipments all ready and cadavers are 'fresh'. We have around 15 cadavers for 50 some students so that translates in about 3 people per cadaver body.

The success of Filipinos abroad should be natural pride for all Filipinos in the home country. I mean, to see your fellow countrymen succeed as practicing attorneys, professional engineers, medical care providers, business folk etc abroad should be something that should be seen as a positive.

I don't like it how government in the country complains about the so called 'brain drain'.

If they don't like it, which many of them point out in video ads in ABS-CBN or GMA networks, then they should do something about it. Do less talking and more action. This is the very problem of some Filipinos, which truly and absolutely irritate me. They point out the flaws of other people, political constructs, group of peoples or status quo and expect the complete change of something; yet provide absolutely no logical answer to the said problem.

Sure there is a 'medical problem' in the Philippines; but unless one does something about the ground situation to curb the said phenomena that that problem will not solve itself (the problem being the immigration of Filipino workers).

You  know, as a medical student I notice that many of my fellow medical colleagues are of either Indian or Pakistani decent. And from talks with them it is common for Pakistani, Indian etc to go abroad after finishing their medical degree and finding jobs as physicians/nurses in the 'states, Canada or Europe and even in the Middle East. That, or many of them send their children to American medical schools (like where I attend) and expect their children to finish medicine and practice. And this is a common thing. Many strive in India to go abroad and to find success abroad. And the government of India, Pakistan etc actually encourage them to go abroad to champion the name of their country, and to make a contribution to the global medical system for the Better.

Additionally, there is, naturally of course, a logical economic incentive for this. Success abroad means success in the home country as it translates into remittances back to the home country and the positive image of the Indian/Pakistani in the medical spheres abroad as well as in technological spheres. I'm only making a specific case of medicine and the medical industry---you get the point.

So naturally, the Philippine government and its spheres, should, by all counts shouldn't even complain considering the OFWs or the so called 'Brain Drain' is the one that is responsible for sending back over $18 BILLION a year back to the country. The Philippine's version of the economic bubble lifeline.

My point and the point of many others: Why complain when, in all actuality, government and the people profit?

Politicians in this country are useless and do nothing. It is a failed system and a flawed system. I am totally conviced of this now. And unfortunatley it is up to the Filipino people to solve their own problems and fend for themselves.

This is the VERY REASON why Filipinos go abroad in the first place. Because government is unable to provide and to solve the economic crisis in the country.

We, as a country, cannot even solve the muslim extrimism in Mindanao and the claim to Sabah. Let alone can we expect them to 'solve' this brain drain situation. They repudiate the phenomona as negative to the country; but they revel in the economical remittances of the OFWs, which funds the programs government enacts by the power they play in paying taxes etc.

Hypocrisy.

You are too kind, and too humble, 'te. You lion of a woman!

Love you very much, big sis!

Today was a long, long, tiring, yet fulfilling day.

Today was our Medical School Orientation; which allowed me and 50 other 1st year medical students to talk to staff, professors, and most of all to one another. I was able to make a strong connection with some 1st years such as Vince, Shalabh, Jeff and Steve. Vince is like me; straight out of undergraduate college and has a strong background in biochemistry and molecular biology. Good guy, and both of us decided to get mountain bikes for transportation. Its not that bad as its only a good 10 minute bike ride from our apartment complex to medical school.

Today, I met alot of 1st years. Its so funny to observe the mannerisms of medical students because at first when we entered the student's lounge, we all sat quiet. Sitting so providential, eloquently stiff and deathly quiet. lol. After someone ushered a cough; then out of no where people started to make small conversations. Then out of no where the entire student's lounge was loud. haha.

I got my schedule for this fall semester. The classes I have are: Medical Histology, Gross Anatomy, Anatomical Lab (w/ cadaver), Histology Lab, Human Embryology and Medical Legal Ethics. Classes start on 8 AM, and end by 5 PM. We have an hour break from 12pm till 1pm.

Work, work, work!

Hoping all is well with everyone here in Tubag Bohol! I miss all of you guys!


Best,
Bran

Do you know what inspires me about the Dead Sea Scrolls?

It is inspirational about the beauty and TRUENESS of Christian Faith!

When I attended the Collegiate Catholic Conference in Erie, Pennsylvania headed by His Eminence Bishop Trautman, this was one thing that was discussed in the collegiate group that attended.

These Dead Sea Scrolls were written during the time of the Roman Empire; during the height of the Empire. And what is amazing is that there are more recovered artifacts of Christian writing be in remnants of the Dead Sea Scrolls, or old biblical scripts in Corinth, in present day Judea, in unearthed bowls and jars in present day Latinium (Italy), in present day Hispanola (Iberian peninsula) or to the deserts of Carthage (present day Tripoli), in the deserts of Egypt etc.

There are more recovered written pieces of Christian writing than there are writings of Caesar's triumphs over Pompeii, the Iliad, works of Plato, works of Virgil, etc. Even though the writings of Roman scholars were more proliferated throughout the Roman world during their time.

Yet, however, more and more artifacts of Christian writings are unearthed by archaeologists today.

Because biblical scripture is the LIVING WORD.

The Breath of God itself. Written by human hands, but Divinely Inspired.

Neither time, nor men, nor principalities or spirits can stop its spread to those who would listen.

I think that finding of the Dead Sea Scrolls and other holy artifacts are living proof and testament to the legitimacy of our faith.  Even though our faith does not need proof. It's nice to see that Providence provides miracles in our every day, such as this, to inspire us in our Faith Journey.

The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.
-Deuteronomy 33:27


Call upon Me in the day of trouble:
I will deliver thee, and thou shalt Glorify Me.
-Psalm 50:15


For Thou, Lord, are good and ready to forgive.
And plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee.
-Psalm 86:5

As tragic as this situation is, one must retain some kind of responsibility and decency regarding these terrorist separatists.

Though the islamofascit group known as the MILF bomb and kill innocent civilians, the Armed Forces of the Philippines must not target the innocent muslim populations in the south. As grave as the actions of the MILF are, they do not represent all muslims in the country baya. These individuals are the die hard radical ones that are similar to the JI terrorists of Indonesia-Malaysia.

The AFP must be careful to engage in muslim-christian dialogue and maintain peace as to evade pouring salt on an open wound.

Pursue the MILF and their supporters only. Not the entire muslim group.

God Bless the Philippines and the Filipino!
One Nation, indivisible under God!
And Justice for All!

Really 'te?

Okey ra man because you are a banker/businesswoman. Different talents and different strengths.

In my opinion, it takes a lion of an individual to be a banker and deal with finances and projects.

I salute you, My dear Sister!

Taken yesterday when I visited the Shrine to the Blessed Heart of Jesus; near Our Lady of Lourdes R.C Church.


Beautiful quaint shrine to the Blessed Heart.


Statue of Blessed St. Michael the Mighty Archangel.


St. Michael the Archangel.

Quote from: windgate on August 27, 2008, 03:30:12 PM

Halos tanan sa mga tao dinhi sa Pilipinas gusto manglarga sa gawas, nurses included.  They didn't choose to stay.  They stayed because they lack the experience or lack of papers or failing to pass the state exam.  or not making the right connections,  etc,etc, etc.  They are force to "do charity or donating services" while waiting for the right time kay wala na may mahimo.

OFW?  Accidental heroes!  Lets face it.  Nanggawas na sila not because for the love of country  but for the love of the family nga mahatagan ug maayong kinabuhi.  Immigrants?  Nisamot.  Nanglayas na dire sa pilipinas kay wala na kasabot sa atong panggobyerno.

So parehas ra ning mga nurse dinhi nga mga nabilin.  Mga accidental heroes. hehehe

Natural ra man ni, windgate, for a person to leave the home country in search for better land and better opportunities. Here in the United States, the caucasian whites came here because their ancestors were immigrants from countries such as Italy, Ireland, Germany, France, Serbia, Russia, Poland, Spain, Portugal, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Croatia etc.

And most of them that came to the United States in the early 18th century, during the late 19th century and even in the early 20th century (which came in massive waves) were of the poor class in Europe. This is even well documented in American History and even in the plaque in the Statue of Liberty that even says,

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me:
I lift my lamp beside the golden door."

This statement, which is engraved in the Statue of Liberty, symbolizes the idea of the American Dream. All people, of different ethnic origins, different races, come to this country in search of a better life for their children, their families and for themselves.

It is this concept that builds and continues to saturate the American Dream!

And we, Filipinos, that come to the United States as immigrants are but a stratification, a layer that constitutes the AMERICAN IDENTITY. We do not see ourselves as traitors or 'Heroes of the Philippines'.

No, our parents swear the Oath of Allegiance to the United States, that makes us, their children, automatic citizens of the United States, we relinquish our Filipino citizen. And become AMERICAN.

This is true for other Asian ethnicities that come and naturalize in the United States. Be it Filipino, Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Japanese, Vietnamese etc.



It is not 'abandonment' as many would say it. It is, in my opinion and in the opinions of many American Immigrants and decedents of Immigrants, Human Nature.



Cheers,

haha.

Mr. Gatal, don't let a meanie nurse scare you away. haha!

Dali na dinhi, pre! Ayaw pa uwaw uy!

To find a permanent 'the one' girlfriend.

What a nostalgic song. It makes the hairs on my back stand up.

Guapong song!

Am waiting to see the Republican National Convention.

I highly recommend this book to those who are into the French Revolutionary time period.

The battle between Republicanism and authority of the citizen.
The battle of the guillotine and the Flag!

Another book that I highly recommend is one for the science fiction lovers.

The book is called 'Contact Harvest' written by Joseph Staten.

The book provides the preliminary information for the Halo Series , which is based on the popular video game. The book talks about the Human wars for colonization in the Harvest System and there it makes contact with the Covenant Empire.

Starting the long-fought Human-Covenant Galactic War.

Amazing book. A must read for the sci-fi fanatics.

They kill innocent civilians in the name of their own autonomy? They kill and bomb in order to secure their own lands; even if some of the people in those lands are not even muslim.

Such a bloody and violent people.

What Manila should do is to make more Christian Filipinos migrate to Mindanao.

Why should 90% of the Philippines (Christian) have to give into the demands of the few (5% muslim). No way!

Majority Rules.

All glory and praise are yours Lord!

Life is filled with ups and downs, and instead of giving into the sadness, glorify each trouble you have as it is a test to strengthen your own faith.

A wise man told me that 'in whatever you do, Glorify the Lord, for everything shall come to pass'.

Our lives are but finite; and like our parents, grandparents and great grandparents, shall, too, come to an end. But live with the Living Word. Know that there is salvation after the here-and-now.

When Christ,
Who is our Life, shall appear,
then shall ye also
appear with HIM
In Glory!
-Colossians 3:4


Peace be unto you, my brethren.

-Paraphrased commentary by John Ottenhoff



Given its reputation as a cornerstone of the fossilized canon, the case against it seems virtually open and shut. Exhibit A: all those biblical and classical allusions, all the footnotes and latinate English in iambic pentameter, all those irrelevant discussions of angels and devils, good and evil. Exhibit B: John Milton, king of patriarchal literature by dead white males and prima facie guilty of misogyny, offends modern sensibilities. Exhibit C: Milton's attempt to justify the creation story of Genesis -- as his maintenance of a Ptolemaic cosmos -- introduces a host of encumbrances and embarrassments for modern Christians. Exhibit D: Paradise Lost is just plain hard to read: it's long, difficult and demanding.

Why bother? Because Paradise Lost demands a level of reflection that few other texts can duplicate, and that every reader should experience. It raises issues still relevant for our culture -- questions about creation, war, pride, relationships, nature, progress, technology and freedom. Paradise Lost remains a vital and crucial work, stimulating and rewarding not just for academics, in whose classrooms, unfortunately, it usually resides, but for the general reader as well.

To read Paradise Lost is to realize that no matter how secular our society has become, we all still struggle -- whether we want to or not -- with questions about right and wrong, about free will and choice, about the nature of God, and about the relations between God, woman and man. To read Paradise Lost is to enter into the world of passionate argument and debate, not the cold world of a fossilized classic. Indeed, Paradise Lost continues to challenge the social and religious status quo -- and the status quo of reading itself, for it especially rewards modern critical emphases upon readers' responses and the slipperiness of language.

That Milton's text promotes disputation can be seen in the disparate reactions it has provoked over the centuries. Despite recent challenges and protests, Paradise Lost is still acknowledged, in the terms of one detractor, as the canonical text par excellence of English literature." Yet in the 1920s, modernists, including T. S. Eliot, pronounced Milton dead. Critic F. R. Leavis proclaimed in 1936 that Milton's dislodgment in the past decade, after his two centuries of predominance, was effected with remarkably little fuss." Firmly relodged in the university curriculum as a work of religious orthodoxy, Milton, in the words of Marxist critic Christopher Hill, must now "be defended from his defenders almost more than from the declining band of his enemies."

Christians too have been uncertain how to treat this "Christian classic." Samuel Johnson, the dean of 18th-century letters, claimed that "in Milton every line breathes sanctity of thought, and purity of manners, except when the train of the narrative requires the introduction of the rebellious spirits; and even they are compelled to acknowledge their subjection to God in such a manner as excites reverence, and confirms piety." But Johnson was wrong about the orthodoxy of Paradise Lost, as has been confirmed by generations of strife over the text. Many Protestants have found the theology of Paradise Lost lacking in huminity and charity; salvation through Christ's blood is hardly mentioned. A professor I knew at Calvin College, while perhaps taking some satisfaction in speaking of Paradise Lost as the "discovery of man's darker side of himself," was obliged to highlight Milton's Arminian emphasis on free will, antitrinitarianism, and -- from a Calvinist point of view -- generally suspect standing as a great Christian writer. Roman Catholics have been equally appalled: the Virgin birth and the crucifixion have little place in Paradise Lost; and several gratuitous reminders -- notably in the description of the Paradise of Fools -- exhibit Milton's contentious attitude toward Rome. According to Cardinal Newman, good Catholics must feel a great repugnance for Milton. Milton provides an elusive target for those who would enshrine him as the creator of the great orthodox Christian epic -- no matter their place on the theological spectrum.

Paradise Lost is, as Joseph Summers put it, full of "embarrassments" for those trying to enlist it in their causes. It will disappoint most moralists and strike striving militalists as "subversive" and dangerous for young citizens: epic battles -- and warfare in general -- come off looking quite silly indeed. Neither does this epic fit the conservative agenda of the most vocal defenders of the canon; it hardly gives a blueprint for timeless Republican living. But just as Milton allows little comfort for those seeking to claim him as a stern Puritan or saintly Christian, so too he frustrates those who would attempt to make Paradise Lost merely a great work of literature. Paradise Lost challenges its readers repeatedly to use their intellects but also to recognize their need for faith; it challenges readers to exercise freedom and responsibility but also, finally, to embrace the ethic of obedience. Milton wants his readers to know that they will be changed after confronting Paradise Lost -- for the better should they grasp the meaning of his work, for the worse should they disregard it.

Milton repeatedly alerts us to the gap between our understanding as humans and the reality of God. We wish to shape a God on our own terms -- a friendly, comprehensible God -- but Milton allows no such thing. Even if one rejects the God of Christianity, one can appreciate the way Paradise Lost makes the point that human nature and spirituality are not reducible to empirically known data; some things transcend language and experience. Similarly, Milton reminds Christians that theological debate serves a limited purpose. Paradise Lost encourages us to consider questions of free win, predestination, original sin and divine foreknowledge. Yet just as frequently Paradise Lost cautions that such debates lead us into "wand'ring mazes." We must exercise our reason to decipher Milton's text that celebrates reasoning -- but also warns us that reason can fail, that obedience finally must persist.

In his recounting of the War in Heaven, in considering Satan's fall, in showing life in Eden, Milton reminds Christians that a faithful life isn't a simple matter of either/or, of yes/no. Paradise Lost insists that we make reasoned choices but also that we choose within the crucible of obedience; Paradise Lost celebrates human experience, knowledge and even sensuousness but insists that we place those elements within God's perspective. One of my students commented, "I admire Milton's attempt to make Christianity workable, livable and on a human sphere, with at least a semblance of worth, rather than portraying the realm of humanity as a place of degradation, evil and corruption.... I like Milton because he doesn't oversimplify Christianity. He doesn't make it easy for us to figure out what is going on, and rightly so." This work offers no blueprint for the Christian life or a moralistic lament for lost innocence -- just a means for interrogating one's search for a way through a complicated, fallen world.

Chewing gum after abdominal surgery may help in recovery, British researchers found in a review of several small studies.

The scientists looked at results from five randomized trials involving 158 patients who had undergone colectomy, the complete or partial removal of the colon. In each study, the postsurgical treatment of patients was the same except that roughly half were randomly assigned to chew gum after their operations.

The researchers found that chewing gum reduced the time for the gut to become active, and lowered the incidence of obstruction of the bowel that sometimes follows surgery. Four studies found the length of postoperative stay in the hospital to be a little more than one day shorter for gum chewers, but that result was not statistically significant and may have been due to chance.

The authors, writing in the August issue of The Archives of Surgery, suggest that chewing gum stimulates the release of gastrointestinal hormones while avoiding the nausea and vomiting often caused by eating too soon after an operation.

“No one knows what the mechanism is,” said Dr. Sanjay Purkayastha, the lead author and a surgical resident at St. Mary’s Hospital, Imperial College London. “But chewing has some effect on kick-starting the gut. We suggest that patients chew gum three times a day post-surgery.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/26/health/research/26prog.html?_r=1&ref=health&oref=slogin

Acupuncture may bring some added pain relief to people with chronic headaches, a new study suggests.

The study, the largest to date on using acupuncture to ease headaches, adds to a conflicting body of evidence: Some research has suggested that adding acupuncture to standard headache medication brings patients additional pain relief; other studies, however, have found that "sham" acupuncture -- using blunted needles that do not pierce the skin -- is as effective as the real thing.

Those latter studies call into question the true effectiveness of acupuncture.

For the current study, published in the journal Cephalalgia, German researchers followed more than 15,000 adults with chronic headaches; all had been suffering from either migraine or tension-type headaches at least twice a month for 1 year or more.

Of these patients, nearly 3,200 agreed to be randomly assigned to either have acupuncture added to their regular therapy or to stay with their usual care alone. The rest of the patients began on acupuncture treatment.

All of the acupuncture patients received up to 15 sessions over 3 months, and all study patients were reassessed after 6 months.

In the end, the study found, acupuncture patients reported greater pain improvements than those who stayed with their usual care only. At the outset, they reported an average of 8.4 headache days over 3 months; that dropped to 4.7 by the study's end.

In the usual care only group, the average number of headache days remained virtually the same: 8.1 days initially, and 7.5 days at the end of the study.

"Acupuncture plus routine care in patients with headache was associated with marked clinical improvements compared with routine care alone," write the researchers, led by Dr. Stefan N. Willich of Charite University Medical Center in Berlin.

Acupuncture has been used for more than 2,000 years in Chinese medicine to treat a wide variety of ailments. According to traditional medicine, specific acupuncture points on the skin are connected to internal pathways that conduct energy, or qi ("chee"), and stimulating these points with a fine needle promotes the healthy flow of qi.

Modern research has suggested that acupuncture may help ease pain by altering signals among nerve cells or affecting the release of various chemicals of the central nervous system.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_68533.html

Lyrics


Every night in my dreams
I see you, I feel you,
That is how I know you go on

Far across the distance
And spaces between us
You have come to show you go on

Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on

Love can touch us one time
And last for a lifetime
And never let go till we're gone

Love was when I loved you
One true time I hold to
In my life we'll always go on

Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on

You're here, there's nothing I fear,
And I know that my heart will go on
We'll stay forever this way
You are safe in my heart
And my heart will go on and on

by Celine Dion

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO_vFuzPJvc

Excellent ballad.

My Heart Will Go On (Quartet Instrumental)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFQGXjP7xWY

I walk the maze of moments
But everywhere I turn to
Begins a new beginning
But never finds a finish
I walk to the horizon
And there I find another
It all seems so surprising
And then I find that I know

Chorus:
You go there youre gone forever
I go there Ill lose my way
If we stay here were not together
Anywhere is

The moon upon the ocean
Is swept around in motion
But without ever knowing
The reason for its flowing
In motion on the ocean
The moon still keeps on moving
The waves still keep on waving
And I still keep on going

Chorus

I wonder if the stars sign
The life that is to be mine
And would they let their light shine
Enough for me to follow
I look up to the heavens
But night has clouded over
No spark of constellation
No vela no orion

The shells upon the warm sands
Have taken from their own lands
The echo of their story
But all I hear are low sounds
As pillow words are weaving
And willow waves are leaving
But should I be believing
That I am only dreaming

Chorus

To leave the thread of all time
And let it make a dark line
In hopes that I can still find
The way back to the moment
I took the turn and turned to
Begin a new beginning
Still looking for the answer
I cannot find the finish
Its either this or that way
Its one way or the other
It should be one direction
It could be on reflection
The turn I have just taken
The turn that I was making
I might be just beginning
I might be near the end.

by Enya

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO8fCBkO0s4

excellent choice.

NEW YORK - Talk about an extreme makeover: Scientists have transformed one type of cell into another in living mice, a big step toward the goal of growing replacement tissues to treat a variety of diseases.

The cell identity switch turned ordinary pancreas cells into the rarer type that churns out insulin, essential for preventing diabetes. But its implications go beyond diabetes to a host of possibilities, scientists said.

It's the second advance in about a year that suggests that someday doctors might be able to use a patient's own cells to treat disease or injury without turning to stem cells taken from embryos.

The work is "a major leap" in reprogramming cells from one kind to another, said one expert not involved in the research, John Gearhart of the University of Pennsylvania.

That's because the feat was performed in living mice rather than a lab dish, the process was efficient and it was achieved directly without going through a middleman like embryonic stem cells, he said.

The newly created cells made insulin in diabetic mice, though they were not cured. But if the experiment's approach proves viable, it might lead to treatments like growing new heart cells after a heart attack or nerve cells to treat disorders like ALS, formerly Lou Gehrig's disease.

Douglas Melton, co-director of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and a researcher with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, cautioned that the approach is not ready for people.

He and his colleagues report the research in a paper published online Wednesday by the journal Nature.

Basically, the identity switch comes about by a reprogramming process that changes the pattern of which genes are active and which are shut off.

Scientists have long hoped to find a way to reprogram a patient's cells to produce new ones. Research with stem cells, and similar entities called iPS cells that were announced last year, has aimed to achieve this in a two-step process.

The first step results in a primitive and highly versatile cell. This intermediary is then guided to mature into whatever cell type scientists want. That guiding process has proven difficult to do efficiently, especially for creating insulin-producing cells, Gearhart noted.

In contrast, the new method holds the promise of going directly from one mature cell type to another. It's like a scientist becoming a lawyer without having to go back to kindergarten and grow up again, Melton says.

So, he says, someday scientists may be able to replace dead nerve or heart cells in people by converting some neighboring cells. At the same time, he stressed that it's still important to study embryonic stem cells and iPS cells.

The Melton team started its work with pancreas cells that pump out gut enzymes used in digestion and turned them into pancreatic "beta" cells, which make insulin.

The researchers destroyed beta cells in mice with a poison, giving the mice diabetes. Then they injected the pancreas with viruses that slipped into the enzyme-making cells. These viruses delivered three genes that control the activity of other genes.

Just three days later, new insulin-secreting cells started to show up. By a week after that, more than a fifth of the virally infected cells started making insulin. That shows "an amazingly efficient effect," commented Richard Insel, executive vice president of research at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Scientists found evidence that the newcomers were converts from mature enzyme-making cells. They identified the new cells as beta cells by their detailed appearance and behavior, and Melton said they've continued functioning for months.

The new cells didn't fully replenish the insulin supply, but maybe there were too few of them, or they were hampered by not forming clusters like ordinary beta cells do, researchers said.

The work brings "more excitement to the idea of using reprogramming as a way to treat diabetes," said researcher Mark Kay of Stanford University, who is studying the approach with liver cells.

Christopher Newgard, who studies beta cells at Duke University Medical Center, called the work convincing but cautioned that significant scientific questions remained about using the approach in treating disease.

Melton, who began his diabetes research in 1993 when his infant son was diagnosed with the illness, said he's obsessed with trying to find a new treatment or cure for Type 1 diabetes, in which beta cells are destroyed.

"I wake up every day thinking about how to make beta cells," he said.

Melton said he hopes drugs can replace the virus approach because of concern about injecting viruses into people.

As for converting other kinds of cells, scientists noted that the two cell types in the mouse experiment are closely related, and it remains to be shown whether the trick can be achieved with more distant combinations. In any case, scientists would have to deliver different reprogramming signals to other kinds of cells, Melton said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080828/ap_on_he_me/med_cell_identity_switch;_ylt=ArgIZqpovqkeeRIl_VOZBifVJRIF

Excellent article, Mike.

I agree with it. I myself am an avid drinker of cranberry juice and have used it to get away from drinking coke beverages.

And it works; many juices are a great source of anti-oxidants and are rich in vitamins for our bodies.

Especially for the youth, who have yet to reach their total potential.

This article, imo, is good for the readers in here.

May the islamofascists be given justice that they rightly deserve.

Unleash the AFP on these murderers.

El mundo pasa rapido ? Adonde las hojas verdes han ido? Que sobre el sol del verano? Adonde el verano ha ido? Una vez mas un más ano de escuela viene.

Mas estudia, mas revisiones, mas planes, mas libros y mas teorias y conceptos. El tiempo pasara otra vez. Senor, el amo de toda la hora y comprension.

Honrenos todos con su amor y comprension.

En nombre de Jesucristo.

Mi señor y mi salvador y mi redentor.

Family is first, Bem.

Before anything there is always GOD and FAMILY.

Everything else is secondary.

This is what I was taught by my own Father.

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

-Mark 8:36

Prayer!

Whenever I pray, I am given a fresh mind, and a clear conscience that can produce better judgment. And a healthy optimistic mind.

In Jesus' Name.

Whenever I can. Usually I call relatives through webcam/voice chat.