Godswill Clement The Great Global Motivator!!!

THE PROSTATE AND POSIBLE SOLUTIONS

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 23:17:00 -0800

A speech presented by
Mr. Uduakobong Clement
Deputy Director for Welfare-Health
Akwa Ibom State
Atiku Abubaka 2019 Health Awareness Campaign Meeting Held in ABUJA

on the Prostate Gland and its effect on us, men.

Read it and apply, especially the part on diet. Useful for all men over 40 years of age.

A useful article / talk on Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) or in simple terms, Enlarged Prostate. Diet is the most important part of this talk which is something within our control; and it works.

FULL TEXT OF PROSTATE HEALTH AWARENESS LECTURE

*MEN MUST READ*

Gentlemen,

I am here to speak with you on Prostate. The topic is misleading. Is prostate strictly for men? Yes, ONLY men have prostate and ONLY men over 40 years but the healthcare enlightenment is for everyone. There is no woman who does not know a man 40 years and above, father, uncle, brother, son, friend, neighbour, colleague...

Essentially what I will be doing today is health promotion. Responsible health promotion must provide three things:

1. Information
2. Reassurance
3. A plan of action.

Let me start with a background on prostate health.

Everyone has a pair of kidneys. The job of the kidney is to remove waste. It is the LAWMA (waste management company) of your body. Everyday your blood passes through the kidney several times to be filtered. As the blood is filtered, urine is formed and stored in a temporary storage tank called the urinary bladder.

If there were to be no urinary bladder, as a man walks on the road, urine will be dropping.

Now think of the plumbing work in your house. Think of the urinary bladder as the overhead storage tank. From the storage tank, a good plumber will run pipes to other parts of the house, including the kitchen. God in His wisdom ran pipes from our urinary bladder to the tip of the penis. The pipe is called the urethra. Just below the bladder and surrounding the urethra is a little organ called the prostate gland.

The prostate gland is the size of a walnut and weighs about 20grams. Its job is to make the seminal fluid which is stored in the seminal vesicle. During sexual intercourse, seminal fluid comes down the urethra and mixes with the sperms produced in the testicles to form the semen. So semen technically is not sperm. It is sperm + seminal fluid. The seminal fluid lubricates the sperm.

After age 40, for reasons that may be hormonal, the prostate gland begins to enlarge. From 20 grams it may grow to almost 100 grams. As it enlarges, it squeezes the urethra and the man begins to notice changes in the way he urinates.

If you have a son under 10, if he has a little mischief like we all did at that age, when he comes out to urinate, he can target the ceiling and the jet will hit target. Call his father to do same, wahala dey. His urine stream is weak, cannot travel a long distance and sometimes may come straight down on his legs. So he may need to stand in awkward position to urinate.

Not many men will be worried their urine stream cannot hit the ceiling. Toilets are on the floor and not on the ceiling. But other symptoms begin to show.

*TERMINAL DRIPPLING:*

The man begins to notice that after urinating and repacking, urine still drops on his pants. This is the reason why after an older man urinates, he has to ring bell. A younger man simply delivers to the last drop and walks away. Just see an older man coming from the bathroom. Sometimes he may clutch the newspaper closely to hide the urine stains, particularly on plain colored trousers.

*HESISTANCY*

At this point you wait longer for the urine flow to start. There are 2 valves that must open for you to urinate – the internal and external sphincters. Both open but because of obstructions in the urethra, you wait longer for the flow to start.

*INCOMPLETE EMPTYING*

You have this feeling immediately after urinating that there is still something left.

As all these things happen, the bladder begins to work harder to compensate for the obstruction in the urethra. The frequency of urination goes up. Urgency sets in. Sometimes you have to practically run into the toilet. Nocturia also becomes common. You wake up more than 2 times at night to urinate.

Men being men may not talk to anyone even at this point. Then the more serious complications start.

Stored urine gets infected and there may be burning sensation when urinating.

Stored urine forms crystals. Crystals come together to form stone either in the bladder or in the kidney. Stones may block the urethra.

Chronic urinary retention sets in. The bladder stores more and more urine. The size of the bladder is 40 - 60cl. A bottle of coke is 50cl. As the bladder stores more urine it can enlarge up to 300cl. An overfilled bladder may leak and this leads to wetting / urinary incontinence. Also the volume may put pressure on the kidney and may lead to kidney damage.

What may likely bring the man to hospital is acute urinary retention. He wakes up one day and he is not able to pass urine.

Everything I have described above is associated with prostate enlargement, technically called benign prostate hyperplasia.

There are other diseases of the prostate like:

1. Prostatitis – inflammation of the prostate

2. Prostate cancer – cancer of the prostate.

This discussion is on prostate enlargement.

I have bad news and good news.

The bad news is that everyman will have prostate enlargement if he lives long enough.

The good news is that there are life style changes that can help the man after 40 to maintain optimum prostate health.

*NUTRITION*

Look at what you eat. 33% of all cancers, according to the US National Cancer Institute is related to what we eat.
Red meat everyday triples your chances of prostate disease. Milk everyday doubles your risk. Not taking fruits / vegetables daily quadruples your risk.

Tomatoes are very good for men. If that is the only thing your wife can present in the evening, eat it with joy. It has loads of lycopene. Lycopene is the most potent natural antioxidant.
Foods that are rich in zinc are also good for men. We recommend pumpkin seeds (ugbogulu).
Zinc is about the most essential element for male sexuality and fertility.

Men need more zinc than women. Every time a man ejaculates he loses 15mg of zinc. Zinc is also important for alcohol metabolism. Your liver needs zinc to metabolize alcohol.

*ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION*

As men begin to have urinary symptoms associated with prostate enlargement, it is important they look at alcohol consumption. More fluid in means more fluid out.

Drink less. Drink slowly.

*EXERCISE*

Exercise helps build the muscle tone. Every man should exercise. Men over 40 should avoid high impact exercise like jogging. It puts pressure on the knees. Cycling is bad news for the prostate. We recommend brisk walking.

*SITTING*
When we sit, two-third of our weight rests on the pelvic bones. Men who sit longer are more prone to prostate symptoms. Do not sit for long hours. Walk around as often as you can. Sit on comfortable chairs. We recommend a divided saddle chair if you must sit long hours.

*DRESSING*

Men should avoid tight underwear. It impacts circulation around the groin and heats it up a bit. While the physiological temperature is 37 degrees, the groin has an optimal temperature of about 33 degrees. Pant is a no - no for men. Wear boxers. Wear breathable clothing.

*SMOKING*

Avoid smoking. It affects blood vessels and impact circulation around the groin.

*SEX*

Regular sex is good for the prostate.

Celibates are more prone to prostate illness. While celibacy is a moral decision, it is not a biological adaptation. Your prostate gland is designed to empty its contents regularly.
__________________________

Approved/Signed by
Mr. Uduakobong Clement
*IamAtikulated2019*
Deputy Director for Welfare-Health
Akwa Ibom State
+2348068000538

*Thought:* 💭

EMBER MONTH PRAYER

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 8 Sep 2017 07:56:00 -0700

We pray for you As God hide Jesus from his killers,
so shall you be hide from the pit made by evil people this Ember month in Jesus precious name.
Day and night, morning and noon,
we also pray that you gain back your wasted years that the lucos and kanga-worm has eaten in JESUS mighty name,
please Read: Nehemiah: 5:11, Take them now by fire in JESUS Christ name.
type Amen Amen Fire and experience the testimonies,,,,

THEY WILL SEE JESUS FIRST

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 8 Sep 2017 07:54:00 -0700

When people tell you, we shall see, tell them THEY WILL SEE JESUS FIRST Colo. 3:3.
When they say without them you cannot make it in life tell them "GOD CAN".
God shall hid you from every trap and accident set by demon in form of human.
This is my prayer for you, yes you in particular, in Jesus name. Jere. 36:26.

WORD OF WISDOM

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 8 Sep 2017 07:41:00 -0700

Kenya is two hours ahead of Nigeria, it does not mean that Nigeria
is slow and it does not mean that Kenya is faster than Nigeria.
Both countries are working based on "Time Zone".
There's one that married as a virgin and 'waited' ten years before
having a child yet there is another who had had series of abortion
before marriage yet gave birth after nine months.
There is one that graduated at the age of 22 yet waited 5 years
before securing a job,yet there is another who graduated at the
age of 30 and secured employment immediately.
There is one who became a CEO at the age of 25 and dies at the
age of 50,there is another who became a CEO at the age of 50 and
lives to 90,both worked based on 'Time Zone' and some just
happen to have everything work fast for them. Work based on your
'lane'.
Colleagues, friends, associate, younger one(s) might have gone
ahead of you don't envy them, it's their 'Time Zone' yours too will
come. Just hold on and be strong, it won't be long everything is
gonna be alright.
Keep Moving, put more efforts and Above all Pray for God's
blessings in all your doing... See You on top...

How to avoid vaginal infection

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 8 Sep 2017 05:44:00 -0700

Have you wondered why some women scratch their virgina ceaselessly? Experts say it is a sign of infection. Every woman at one time or the other must have virginal discharge. But while some are normal, others are signs of infection. Vaginal infections occur when bacteria, fungi or viruses grow in and around the vaginal area.Certain types of bacteria live naturally inside the vagina. They produce acid, which helps to fight off other bacteria, as well as viruses and fungi that don’t normally live in the vagina. Anything that lowers the acidity of the vagina can cause a vaginal infection.
Dr. Nathaniel Adewole Consultant Gyneacologist at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital says “It is normal and healthy for a woman of childbearing age to have a vaginal discharge. But some of the symptoms of a vaginal infection include unusual vaginal discharge (may be unusual in colour and smell unpleasant), irritation and soreness of the vulva (the skin around the outside of the vagina) vaginal itching.”

Vaginal infections can also be caused through unprotected sexual intercourse or skin-to-skin contact. These are known as sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of vaginitis (vaginal infection), accounting for 50 per cent of cases. Bacterial vaginosis is caused by a change or imbalance in the types of the bacteria normally found in the vagina and causes an overgrowth of organisms such as Gardnerella vaginalis.
Risk factors include pregnancy, intrauterine device (IUD) use, and frequent douching. It is associated with sexual activity, and possibly a new sexual partner or multiple sexual partners. Women who have never had sexual intercourse are rarely affected. You do not get bacterial vaginosis from toilet seats, beddings, etc, health experts say.
Again, vaginal yeast infections are caused by a fungus, mainly by Candida albicans. This is also called candidiasis. Yeast infection can spread to other parts of the body including skin, mucous membranes and other areas.
Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of normally growing fungi in the vagina that creates unpleasant symptoms. The yeast is kept under control by normally growing bacteria in the body. If the natural balance of microorganisms is disrupted, the yeast grows out of control. It is not clear how fungal infections originate, but they are not thought to be sexually transmitted. Your own natural bacteria allow this type of infection when an imbalance occurs, possibly caused by any of these events.
Dr. Adewole says chlamydia is the most common STI in the world. It is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, which destroys the cells of the lining of the cervix and other tissues.
Many people have chlamydia without knowing it. In women, chlamydia infection can spread to the womb (uterus), ovaries and fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease PID. Between one and four women in 10 with untreated chlamydia will get PID. PID can damage the fallopian tubes and can increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy and infertility.
Gonorrhoea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which is passed on during unprotected sexual intercourse.
Symptoms of gonorrhoea usually appear within two weeks of infection, and may include vaginal discharge, pain passing urine, bleeding between periods and pelvic or abdominal pain
However, half of women with gonorrhoea don’t have any symptoms. Chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomoniasis are transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, such as during unprotected sexual intercourse. All sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are preventable.
Experts say you can reduce your risk of having Bacterial vaginosis (BV) by wearing cotton pants and changing them daily; not using perfumed soaps; and not using vaginal douches - they disturb the natural protective acidity of the vagina.
Dr. Adewole says diagnosis is usually made based on symptoms and results of urine tests and vaginal cultures (samples checked in the lab). “Treatment is based on the organism causing the infection. Depending on the cause of the infection, the gynaecologist will prescribe vaginal antifungal pills, or antibiotics (as pills or an injection). Treatment varies depending on which form of virginities you have, the severity of infection, duration of infection, recurrence of infection, and whether you are pregnant.”
One of the medications that can be given to a woman with vaginal infection Adewole states is antibiotic. But again, it must be recommended by the doctor. And too much of antibiotics could also cause another form of infection.

AKWA IBOM AT 30

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 4 Sep 2017 10:34:00 -0700

We are Passionate, Compassion and Humble.
We believe in Akwa ibom FIRST.
First beyond political Propaganda.
First beyond tribe, Gender and language.
I believe in Akwa Ibom because
I am an Akwa Ibomite
Ami Mme Dakkanda
Proudly Akwa Ibomite

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Think Big

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 7 May 2014 03:23:00 -0700

"Get going. Move forward. Aim High. Plan a takeoff. Don't just sit on the runway and hope someone will come along and push the airplane. It simply won't happen. Change your attitude and gain some altitude. Believe me, you'll love it up here." --- Donald Trump Let's take it up a notch today! Marlene Oh Yes! That "Little Something Extra" Today: Think Big A man was caught and thrown into a pit of about "40 feet" deep, just because he was a stranger. He struggled trying to get out of the pit, but the more he tried, the weaker his muscles became. He said to himself, "I don't know how to get myself out of this. Maybe I should just die instead of enduring these miserable struggles and pains." Just then, he heard a voice screaming, "Help! Help!! Help!!!" The shouts were coming from another pit, which was "10 feet" deeper than the one he was in. He thought to himself, "Wow, so there is somebody else like me trapped here too." Listening carefully, he heard some cracking and sand dropping from the wall of the pit of the other victim. Immediately he summed up his courage and with his last bit of strength, started crawling little by little until he made it out of his pit.

Godswill Clement The Great Global Motivator!!!: MYCOPLASMA AND UREAPLASMA

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 02:48:00 -0700

Godswill Clement The Great Global Motivator!!!: MYCOPLASMA AND UREAPLASMA

MYCOPLASMA AND UREAPLASMA

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 02:42:00 -0700

MYCOPLASMA Mycoplasma refers to a genus of bacteria that lack a cell wall.[1] Without a cell wall, they are unaffected by many common antibiotics such as penicillin or other beta-lactam antibiotics that target cell wall synthesis. They can be parasitic or saprotrophic. Several species are pathogenic in humans, including M. pneumoniae, which is an important cause of atypical pneumonia and other respiratory disorders, and M. genitalium, which is believed to be involved in pelvic inflammatory diseases. Mycoplasma is the smallest known cell and is about 0.1 µm in diameter. Origin of the name The name Mycoplasma, from the Greek mykes (fungus) and plasma (formed), was first used by Albert Bernhard Frank in 1889. He thought it was a fungus, due to fungus-like characteristics.[2] An older name for Mycoplasma was Pleuro pneumonia-Like Organisms (PPLO), referring to organisms similar to the causative agent of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP).[3] It was later found that the fungus-like growth pattern of M. mycoides is unique to that species. [edit] Characteristics There are over 100 recognized species of the genus Mycoplasma, one of several genera within the bacterial class Mollicutes. Mollicutes are parasites or commensals of humans, other animals (including insects), and plants; the genus Mycoplasma is by definition restricted to vertebrate hosts. Cholesterol is required for the growth of species of the genus Mycoplasma as well as certain other genera of mollicutes. Their optimum growth temperature is often the temperature of their host if warmbodied (e. g. 37° C in humans) or ambient temperature if the host is unable to regulate its own internal temperature. Analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA sequences as well as gene content strongly suggest that the mollicutes, including the mycoplasmas, are closely related to either the Lactobacillus or the Clostridium branch of the phylogenetic tree (Firmicutes sensu stricto). [edit] Cell morphology The bacteria of the genus Mycoplasma (trivial name: mycoplasmas) and their close relatives are characterized by lack of a cell wall. Despite this, the cells often present a certain shape, with a characteristic small size, with typically about 10% of the volume of an Escherichia coli cell. These cell shapes presumably contribute to the ability of mycoplasmas to thrive in their respective environments. Most are pseudococcoidal, but there are notable exceptions. Species of the M. fastidiosum cluster are rod-shaped. Species of the M. pneumoniae cluster, including M. pneumoniae, possess a polar extension protruding from the pseudococcoidal cell body. This tip structure, designated an attachment organelle or terminal organelle, is essential for adherence to host cells and for movement along solid surfaces (gliding motility), and is implicated in normal cell division. M. pneumoniae cells are pleomorphic, with an attachment organelle of regular dimensions at one pole and a trailing filament of variable length and uncertain function at the other end, whereas other species in the cluster typically lack the trailing filament. Other species like M. mobile and M. pulmonis have similar structures with similar functions. Mycoplasmas are unusual among bacteria in that most require sterols for the stability of their cytoplasmic membrane. Sterols are acquired from the environment, usually as cholesterol from the animal host. Mycoplasmas generally possess a relatively small genome of 0.58-1.38 megabases, which results in drastically reduced biosynthetic capabilities and explains their dependence on a host. Additionally they use an alternate genetic code in which the codon UGA encodes the amino acid tryptophan instead of the usual stop codon. They have a low GC-content (23-40 mol %). [edit] First isolation In 1898 Nocard and Roux reported the cultivation of the causative agent of CBPP, which was at that time a grave and widespread disease in cattle herds.[4][5] The disease is caused by M. mycoides subsp. mycoides SC (small-colony type), and the work of Nocard and Roux represented the first isolation of a mycoplasma species. Cultivation was, and still is difficult because of the complex growth requirements. These researchers succeeded by inoculating a semi-permeable pouch of sterile medium with pulmonary fluid from an infected animal and depositing this pouch intraperitoneally into a live rabbit. After fifteen to twenty days, the fluid inside of the recovered pouch was opaque, indicating the growth of a microorganism. Opacity of the fluid was not seen in the control. This turbid broth could then be used to inoculate a second and third round and subsequently introduced into a healthy animal, causing disease. However, this did not work if the material was heated, indicating a biological agent at work. Uninoculated media in the pouch, after removal from the rabbit, could be used to grow the organism in vitro, demonstrating the possibility of cell-free cultivation and ruling out viral causes, although this was not fully appreciated at the time .[4] [edit] Small genome Recent advances in molecular biology and genomics have brought the genetically simple mycoplasmas, particularly M. pneumoniae and its close relative M. genitalium, to a larger audience. The second published complete bacterial genome sequence was that of M. genitalium, which has one of the smallest genomes of free-living organisms.[6] The M. pneumoniae genome sequence was published soon afterwards and was the first genome sequence determined by primer walking of a cosmid library instead of the whole-genome shotgun method.[7] Mycoplasma genomics and proteomics continue in efforts to understand the so-called minimal cell,[8] catalog the entire protein content of a cell,[9] and generally continue to take advantage of the small genome of these organisms to understand broad biological concepts. [edit] Taxonomy The medical and agricultural importance of members of the genus Mycoplasma and related genera has led to the extensive cataloging of many of these organisms by culture, serology, and small subunit rRNA gene and whole genome sequencing. A recent focus in the sub-discipline of molecular phylogenetics has both clarified and confused certain aspects of the organization of the class Mollicutes.[10] Originally the trivial name "mycoplasmas" has commonly denoted all members of the class Mollicutes. The name "Mollicutes" is derived from the Latin mollis (soft) and cutes (skin), and all of these bacteria do lack a cell wall and the genetic capability to synthesize peptidoglycan. Now Mycoplasma is a genus in Mollicutes. Despite the lack of a cell wall, many taxonomists have classified Mycoplasma and relatives in the phylum Firmicutes, consisting of low G+C Gram-positive bacteria such as Clostridium, Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus based on 16S rRNA gene analysis. The order Mycoplasmatales contains a single family, Mycoplasmataceae, comprising two genera: Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma. Historically, the description of a bacterium lacking a cell wall was sufficient to classify it to the genus Mycoplasma and as such it is the oldest and largest genus of the class with about half of the class' species (107 validly described), each usually limited to a specific host and with many hosts harboring more than one species, some pathogenic and some commensal. In later studies, many of these species were found to be phylogenetically distributed among at least three separate orders. A limiting criterion for inclusion within the genus Mycoplasma is that the organism have a vertebrate host. In fact, the type species, M. mycoides, along with other significant mycoplasma species like M. capricolum, is evolutionarily more closely related to the genus Spiroplasma in the order Entomoplasmatales than to the other members of the Mycoplasma genus. This and other discrepancies will likely remain unresolved because of the extreme confusion that change could engender among the medical and agricultural communities. The remaining species in the genus Mycoplasma are divided into three non-taxonomic groups, hominis, pneumoniae and fermentans, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. The hominis group contains the phylogenetic clusters of M. bovis, M. pulmonis, and M. hominis, among others. M. hyopneumoniae is a primary bacterial agent of the porcine respiratory disease complex. The pneumoniae group contains the clusters of M. muris, M. fastidiosum, U. urealyticum, the currently unculturable haemotrophic mollicutes, informally referred to as haemoplasmas (recently transferred from the genera Haemobartonella and Eperythrozoon), and the M. pneumoniae cluster. This cluster contains the species (and the usual or likely host) M. alvi (bovine), M. amphoriforme (human), M. gallisepticum (avian), M. genitalium (human), M. imitans (avian), M. pirum (uncertain/human), M. testudinis (tortoises), and M. pneumoniae (human). Most if not all of these species share some otherwise unique characteristics including an attachment organelle, homologs of the M. pneumoniae cytadherence-accessory proteins, and specialized modifications of the cell division apparatus. A study of 143 genes in 15 species of Mycoplasma suggests that the genus can be grouped into four clades: the M. hyopneumoniae group, the M. mycoides group, the M. pneumoniae group and a Bacillus-Phytoplasma group.[11] The M. hyopneumoniae group is more closely related to the M. pneumoniae group than the M. mycoides group. [edit] Laboratory contaminant Mycoplasma species are often found in research laboratories as contaminants in cell culture. Mycoplasmal cell culture contamination occurs due to contamination from individuals or contaminated cell culture medium ingredients[clarification needed][citation needed]. Mycoplasma cells are physically small – less than 1 µm – and they are therefore difficult to detect with a conventional microscope. Mycoplasmas may induce cellular changes, including chromosome aberrations, changes in metabolism and cell growth. Severe Mycoplasma infections may destroy a cell line. Detection techniques include DNA Probe, enzyme immunoassays, PCR, plating on sensitive agar and staining with a DNA stain including DAPI or Hoechst. It has been estimated that at least 11 to 15% of U.S. laboratory cell cultures are contaminated with mycoplasma. [12] A Corning study showed that half of U.S. scientists did not test for mycoplasma contamination in their cell cultures. The study also stated that, in former Czechoslovakia, 100% of cell cultures that were not routinely tested were contaminated while only 2% of those routinely tested were contaminated (study page 6). Since the U.S. contamination rate was based on a study of companies that routinely checked for mycoplasma, the actual contamination rate may be higher. European contamination rates are higher and that of other countries are higher still (up to 80% of Japanese cell cultures).[13] About 1% of published Gene Expression Omnibus data may have been compromised.[14][15] Several antibiotic based formulation of anti-mycoplasma reagents have been developed over the years.[16] [edit] Synthetic mycoplasma genome A chemically synthesized genome of a mycoplasmal cell based entirely on synthetic DNA which can self-replicate has been referred to as Mycoplasma laboratorium.[17] Pathogenicity Several Mycoplasma species can cause disease, including M. pneumoniae, which is an important cause of atypical pneumonia (formerly known as "walking pneumonia"), and M. genitalium, which has been associated with pelvic inflammatory diseases. Mycoplasma infections in humans are associated with skin eruptions in 17% of cases.[18]:293 [edit] Links to cancer Several species of mycoplasma are frequently detected in different types of cancer cells. [19][20][21] These species are: M. fermentans [22][19][23][20][21][24] M. genitalium [25] M. hyorhinis [26][19][25] M. penetrans [22][19][20][21][24] The majority of these mycoplasma have shown a strong correlation to malignant transformation in mammalian cells in vitro. [edit] Mycoplasma infection and host cell transformation The presence of mycoplasma was first reported in samples of cancer tissue in the 1960s. [21] Since then there have been several studies trying to find and prove the connection between mycoplasma and cancer, as well as how the bacterium might be involved in the formation of cancer. [20] Several studies have shown that cells that are chronically infected with the bacteria go through a multistep transformation. The changes caused by chronic mycoplasmal infections occur gradually and are both morphological and genetic. [20] The first visual sign of infection is when the cells gradually shift from their normal form to sickle shaped. They also become hyperchromatic due to an increase of DNA in the nucleus of the cells. In later stages, the cells lose the need for a solid support in order to grow and proliferate as well as the normal contact dependent inhibition. [21] [edit] Possible intracellular mechanisms of mycoplasmal malignant transformation Karyotypic changes related to mycoplasma infections Cells infected with mycoplasma for an extended period of time show significant chromosomal abnormalities. These include the addition of chromosomes, the loss of entire chromosomes, partial loss of chromosomes and chromosomal translocation. All of these genetic abnormalities may contribute to the process of malignant transformation. Chromosomal translocation and extra chromosomes help create abnormally high activity of certain proto-oncogenes. Proto-oncogenes with increased activity caused by these genetic abnormalities include those encoding c-myc, HRAS, [22] and vav. [20] The activity of proto-oncogenes is not the only cellular function that is affected; tumour suppressor genes are affected by the chromosomal changes induced by mycoplasma as well. Partial or complete loss of chromosomes causes the loss of important genes involved in the regulation of cell proliferation. [21] Two genes whose activities are markedly decreased during chronic infections with mycoplasma are the Rb and the p53 tumour suppressor genes. [20] A major feature that differentiates mycoplasmas from other carcinogenic pathogens is that the mycoplasmas do not cause the cellular changes by insertion of their own genetic material into the host cell. [22] The exact mechanism by which the bacterium causes the changes is not yet known. Partial reversibility of malignant transformations The malignant transformation induced by mycoplasma is also different from that caused by other pathogens in that the process is reversible. The state of reversal is, however, only possible up to a certain point during the infection. The window of time that reversibility is possible varies greatly; it depends primarily on the mycoplasma involved. In the case of M. fermentans, the transformation is reversible up until around week 11 of infection and starts to become irreversible between week 11 and 18. [21] If the bacteria are killed using antibiotics [21] (i.e. ciprofloxacin [20] or Clarithromycin [27]) before the irreversible stage, the infected cells should return to normal. [edit] Connections to cancer in vivo and future research Though mycoplasmas are confirmed to be carcinogenic in vitro, it is not yet confirmed whether mycoplasma might be an actual cause of cancer in vivo. [25] The uncertainties regarding the bacteria’s potential to cause malignancies is mostly due to the fact that the cells used for the studies are most often from immortalised cell lines like the BEAS-2B cells. These are essentially cells on the verge of becoming cancer cells. One big problem with using these cells to confirm carcinogenic properties is that they will transform spontaneously after 32 passagings (when a small number of cells are transferred into a new vessel to extend culture duration). [25] This, and the fact that no malignant transformation has been detected in non-immortalised “normal” cells that have been infected, might be an indication that mycoplasmas accelerates a cell’s progression towards malignancy, rather than actually causing it. No mycoplasma-generated cancer has yet to be documented in in vivo cultures. It might, however, be possible that very long, chronic infections of mycoplasma are able to cause cancer in non-immortalised cells. This is not yet known since non-immortalised cells can only divide for a limited number of times, and therefore it has not been possible to keep culturing them long enough to develop cancer. [25] More research is needed to confirm that mycoplasma infections cause cancer or initiate malignancies in human cells. This might be an important step to treat and prevent cancer. [25] [edit] Types of cancer associated with mycoplasma Colon cancer: In a study to understand the effects of mycoplasma contamination on the quality of cultured human colon cancer cells, it was found that there is a positive correlation between the amount of M. hyorhinis present in the sample and the percentage of CD133 positive cells (a glycoprotein with an unknown function). Further tests and analysis are required to determine the exact reason for this phenomenon. [28] Gastric cancer: There are strong indications that the infection of M. hyorhinis contributes to the development of cancer within the stomach and increases the likelihood of malignant cancer cell development. [29] Lung cancer: Studies on lung cancer have supported the belief that there is more than a coincidental positive correlation between the appearance of Mycoplasma strains in patients and the infection with tumorigenesis. Because this is a such a new area of research, more studies must be performed to further understand the correlation and determine possible preventative steps for lung cancer involving mycoplasma. [30] Prostate cancer: p37, a protein encoded for by M. hyorhinis, has been found to promote the invasiveness of prostate cancer cells. The protein also causes the growth, morphology, and the gene expression of the cells to change, causing them to become a more aggressive phenotype. [31] Renal Cancer: Patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) exhibited a significantly high amount of Mycoplasma sp. compared with the healthy control group. This suggests that mycoplasma may play a role in the development of RCC. [27] [edit] References ^ Ryan KJ, Ray CG (editors) (2004). Sherris Medical Microbiology (4th ed.). McGraw Hill. pp. 409–12. ISBN 0-8385-8529-9. ^ Krass CJ, Gardner MW (January 1973). "Etymology of the Term Mycoplasma". Int. J. Of Syst. Bact. 23 (1): 62–64. doi:10.1099/00207713-23-1-62. ^ Edward DG, Freundt EA (February 1956). "The classification and nomenclature of organisms of the pleuropneumonia group". J. Gen. Microbiol. 14 (1): 197–207. PMID 13306904. ^ a b Nocard EIE , Roux E (1990). "The microbe of pleuropneumonia. 1896". Rev. Infect. Dis. 12 (2): 354–8. doi:10.1093/clinids/12.2.354. PMID 2184501. "translation of Le microbe de la péripneumonie. Ann Inst Pasteur 12, 240-262, 1898" ^ Hayflick L, Chanock RM (June 1965). "Mycoplasma Species of Man". Bacteriol Rev 29 (2): 185–221. PMC 441270. PMID 14304038. ^ Fraser CM, Gocayne JD, White O, Adams MD, Clayton RA, Fleischmann RD, Bult CJ, Kerlavage AR, Sutton G, Kelley JM, Fritchman RD, Weidman JF, Small KV, Sandusky M, Fuhrmann J, Nguyen D, Utterback TR, Saudek DM, Phillips CA, Merrick JM, Tomb JF, Dougherty BA, Bott KF, Hu PC, Lucier TS, Peterson SN, Smith HO, Hutchison CA, Venter JC (October 1995). "The minimal gene complement of Mycoplasma genitalium". Science 270 (5235): 397–403. doi:10.1126/science.270.5235.397. PMID 7569993. UREAPLASMA Ureaplasma urealyticum is a bacterium belonging to the family Mycoplasmataceae. Its type strain is T960. Contents 1 Clinical significance 2 Classification 3 Treatment 4 References 5 External links Clinical significance U. urealyticum is part of the normal genital flora of both men and women.[citation needed] It is found in about 70% of sexually active humans.[citation needed] It had also been associated with a number of diseases in humans, including non-specific urethritis (NSU), infertility, chorioamnionitis, stillbirth, premature birth, and, in the perinatal period, pneumonia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia[1] and meningitis. However, given the relatively low pathogenicity of the organism its role in some of these diseases remains contentious. U. urealyticum has been noted as one of the infectious causes of sterile pyuria.[2] Classification There are six recognised Ureaplasma species, They have a GC content of 27–30%, and a genome size ranging between 0.76–1.17 Mbp, and cholesterol is required for growth. A defining characteristic of the genus is that they perform urea hydrolysis. It is now recommended that some strains originally classified as Ureaplasma urealyticum should be treated as a new species, U. parvum. Treatment Doxycycline is the drug of choice but Azithromycin is also used as a 5 day course rather than a single dose that would be used to treat Chlamydia;[3] streptomycin is an alternative but is less popular because it must be injected. Penicillins are ineffective — U. urealyticum does not have a cell wall,[4] which is the drug's main target.[5] Long Term Effects of Ureaplasma The main cause of ureaplasma is a minute bacterium that enters the body and later on acts as a virus. Ureaplasma lives in the body for a very long period of time without causing any discomfort whatsoever. In addition, ureaplasma can exist without the knowledge of the person infected by it. The spread of ureaplasma is aided by bodily fluids that are mucus like. Ureaplasma is curable and can as well be treated by using antibiotics. It is important to note that in case ureaplasma goes for several days, months or years without being treated can bring about meningitis, pneumonia as well as infertility. Ureaplasma can be transmitted by having unprotected sexual contact facilitates the spread of the causal bacteria. Having said this, here are the long term effects of ureaplasma. Firstly, ureaplasma can result in fertility problems. This is simply because ureaplasma is largely linked to tubal infection as well as decreased sperm motility. This plays a major role in causing infertility. It has been discovered that a majority of women who end up having miscarriages may be suffering from this condition. The most daunting aspect about ureaplasma is that a person who is infected does not experience any symptoms thus cannot be able to know all about ureaplasma. Another long term effect of ureaplasma is complications on the urinary tract. If left untreated, this can as well cause damage to the kidney. Additionally, if ureaplasma is left untreated, it can penetrate through the blood stream thus resulting to a condition that is fatal. This can lead to sepsis which takes place when the immune system destroys the body tissues in direct response to the ureaplasma infection. Long Term Complications If ureaplasma is left untreated for a long period of time, it can cause urethritis in both men and women. This condition comes about when the urethra becomes inflamed. In most cases, those infected will tend to have symptoms such as burning sensation while urinating, smelly discharge and some blood spotting in the urine. In case the ureaplasma condition is left untreated for a long period of time, ureaplasma can affect the bladder as well as other reproductive organs which can be fatal in the long run. Ureaplasma can cause long term effect in terms on the chronic urinary tract. A majority of patients will tend to have chronic urinary tract diseases that are caused by ureaplasma bacteria. The best thing about ureaplasma is that, qualified physicians can easily remove the bacteria through the use of antibiotics. However, for all those suffering from these tract diseases, they can be prescribed for antibiotic and at the same time undergo retests to determine the presence of ureaplasma bacteria. In case there is presence of ureaplasma bacteria, the physician will be prompted to prescribe the patient with a different antibiotic that will help in treating the condition. Most of the people who have this type of ureaplasma condition tend to urinate more often with no result at all, pain in the pelvic, pain while urinating, have urine that is cloudy and some blood traces in the urine. What is ureaplasma? Ureaplasma is a particularly small bacterium belonging to the family Mycoplasmataceae (commonly known as mycoplasma). There are seventeen identified species, most usually found in the respiratory and urogenital tracts. U. urealyticum is commonly found in the genital flora of sexually active men and women. It is found in about 70% of sexually active humans, and is usually commensal (harmless and symptom-free). You have a high chance of being infected with it if you have unprotected sex with someone who has had other sexual partners, and your chances of infection increase dramatically with the number of different partners. Even if you have no symptoms, you can still pass the microorganisms in your genitals to your partner(s). This is why so many adults are infected - the infected source person has no symptoms, and usually the person they infect also shows no symptoms. You are STRONGLY advised to have a pathology test if you have any symptoms, because there is a chance you may have, and be passing on, another more serious disease to your partner(s). Possible symptoms of ureaplasma • For most people, Ureaplasma remains in the genitals and has no effect or symptoms. • A continual dull ache or pain around the genitals. • Burning or pain when urinating. • Ureaplasma has been associated with a number of diseases such as non-specific urethritis (NSU) and sterile pyuria. • Whether Ureaplasma can cause infertility, chorioamnionitis, stillbirth, premature birth, and, in the perinatal period, pneumonia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and meningitis is contentious. Risk of having symptoms • The older you are when you get your initial ureaplasma infection, the more likely that you will suffer a mild pain, an NSU or some other symptoms. • If your immune system is weak, there is an increased chance of suffering from the above symptoms. Treatment If you are suffering any symptoms, it is important to provide a urine sample for testing by a pathology lab. This will rule out the possibility of infection by a more dangerous bacteria / protozoa. Conventional medicine usually treats a u. urealyticum infection with antibiotic doxycycline or streptomycin. Of course both partners must be treated, and outside of a strictly monogamous relationship there is a high chance of re-infection. It requires a strong course of antibiotics, and there is a possibility that your digestive and other beneficial bacteria will be devastated, with a risk of development of IBS and other problems. The natural home remedy approach to treating ureaplasma urealyticum is to leave them alone - in a healthy person they are a commensal - in other words, they should cause no problems, and most sexually active people have them. If your symptoms are serious AND a test has confirmed a u. urealyticum infection and no other infections or causes, a natural antibiotic such as colloidal silver may be able to contain the bacterial overgrowth. Usually the symptoms improve or resolve over a period of weeks or months, and an improvement in the strength of your immune system may also contain the infection. References ^ Kafetzis DA, Skevaki CL, Skouteri V, et al (October 2004). "Maternal genital colonization with Ureaplasma urealyticum promotes preterm delivery: association of the respiratory colonization of premature infants with chronic lung disease and increased mortality". Clin. Infect. Dis. 39 (8): 1113–22. doi:10.1086/424505. PMID 15486833. ^ Dieter RS (2000). "Sterile pyuria: a differential diagnosis". Compr Ther 26 (3): 150–2. doi:10.1007/s12019-000-0001-1. PMID 10984817. ^ http://www.thesticlinic.com/ureaplasma-urealyticum.aspx ^ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3128564/ ^ http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/652penicillin.html UREAPLASMA & MYCOPLASMA (Also Called 'Mycoplasma & Ureaplasma Infections') What are ureaplasma and mycoplasma infections? Ureaplasma and mycoplasma are among the smallest free-living bacteria. Unlike other bacteria however, these organisms lack a cell wall and live inside cells. However, they can also live in cultures outside of cells, similar to the way viruses live. Unlike viruses, though, they can be killed by certain antibiotics. What symptoms do ureaplasma and mycoplasma cause? Symptoms can be "silent" or can cause noticeable symptoms such as discharge, burning, urinary frequency, urinary urgency, and pain. How are ureaplasma and mycoplasma diagnosed? Special laboratory tests and cultures (a method of multiplying the bacteria to better identify them) is required. The diagnosis and treatment of illnesses involving these organisms is particularly difficult due to the following reasons: These organisms require special tests and even when these special tests are conducted, it can still be very difficult to isolate the organisms and treat the patient. The tests are not something done by a typical general practitioner or gynecologist. Only a select few antibiotics kill these particular bacteria and the antibiotics have to be taken for many days, weeks, or even longer. Many patients do not take their medications as prescribed; do not take their medications long enough to be cured; or come in close contact with an infected person and become reinfected. It is important to note that the illnesses caused by these bacteria can be acquired in all kinds of ways. As an example, one of the ways ureaplasma can be acquired is through sexual relations. However, a diagnosis of ureaplasma in yourself or your partner does not imply that infidelity took place. There is no way of knowing for sure how or when the organism was actually transmitted to the first partner. What is known for sure is that both partners are treated to help prevent any possible spread and development of bladder problems between the two individuals. How are illnesses caused by ureaplasma and mycoplasma treated? Treatment usually consists of the use of certain antibiotics, out of a family of antibiotics called the tetracyclines or erythromycins. Be sure to inform the doctor if you are allergic to the medication before taking it. Do not engage in sexual activity while you are taking the antibiotic prescription. Take the antibiotic as prescribed and for the full length as directed on the prescription label. This is important to ensure that the organism is fully eliminated. Important. If you are sexually active, your partner will need to be prescribed antibiotics to treat the infection. First-line treatments are either: doxycycline 100 mg, 1 pill, taken by mouth twice daily for 14 days, or erythromycin 400 mg, 2 pills, taken by mouth four times a day for 7 days Ideally, the partner should be placed on the same antibiotic as the patient. You should be retested for the organism after finishing the course of antibiotics, which can be done at your local hospital, your local doctor's office, or a lab. At that time, a urine or vaginal specimen will be taken and recultured to determine if the bacteria is completely eliminated from your body. We advise that your partner be tested or retested for this organism. Sometime you may need another round of antibiotic to treat the infection again. MICROBIOLOGY OF BIOFIMS A biofilm is any group of microorganisms in which cells stick to each other on a surface. These adherent cells are frequently embedded within a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS). Biofilm EPS, which is also referred to as slime (although not everything described as slime is a biofilm), is a polymeric conglomeration generally composed of extracellular DNA, proteins, and polysaccharides. Biofilms may form on living or non-living surfaces and can be prevalent in natural, industrial and hospital settings.[1][2] The microbial cells growing in a biofilm are physiologically distinct from planktonic cells of the same organism, which, by contrast, are single-cells that may float or swim in a liquid medium. Microbes form a biofilm in response to many factors, which may include cellular recognition of specific or non-specific attachment sites on a surface, nutritional cues, or in some cases, by exposure of planktonic cells to sub-inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics.[3][4] When a cell switches to the biofilm mode of growth, it undergoes a phenotypic shift in behavior in which large suites of genes are differentially regulated.[ Formation Formation of a biofilm begins with the attachment of free-floating microorganisms to a surface. These first colonists adhere to the surface initially through weak, reversible adhesion via van der Waals forces. If the colonists are not immediately separated from the surface, they can anchor themselves more permanently using cell adhesion structures such as pili.[6] Hydrophobicity also plays an important role in determining the ability of bacteria to form biofilms, as those with increased hydrophobicity have reduced repulsion between the extracellular matrix and the bacterium.[7] Some species are not able to attach to a surface on their own but are sometimes able to anchor themselves to the matrix or directly to earlier colonists. It is during this colonization that the cells are able to communicate via quorum sensing using products such as AHL. Some bacteria are unable to form biofilms as successfully due to their limited motility. Nonmotile bacteria cannot recognize the surface or aggregate together as easily as motile bacteria.[8] Once colonization has begun, the biofilm grows through a combination of cell division and recruitment. Polysaccharide matrices typically enclose bacterial biofilms. In addition to the polysaccharides, these matrices may also contain material from the surrounding environment, including but not limited to minerals, soil particles, and blood components, such as erythrocytes and fibrin.[9] The final stage of biofilm formation is known as dispersion, and is the stage in which the biofilm is established and may only change in shape and size. The development of a biofilm may allow for an aggregate cell colony (or colonies) to be increasingly antibiotic resistant. [edit] Development There are five stages of biofilm development (see illustration at right): Initial attachment: Irreversible attachment: Maturation I: Maturation II: Dispersion: [edit] Dispersal Dispersal of cells from the biofilm colony is an essential stage of the biofilm life cycle. Dispersal enables biofilms to spread and colonize new surfaces. Enzymes that degrade the biofilm extracellular matrix, such as dispersin B and deoxyribonuclease, may play a role in biofilm dispersal.[10][11] Biofilm matrix degrading enzymes may be useful as anti-biofilm agents.[12][13] Recent evidence has shown that a fatty acid messenger, cis-2-decenoic acid, is capable of inducing dispersion and inhibiting growth of biofilm colonies. Secreted by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, this compound induces cyclo heteromorphic cells in several species of bacteria and the yeast Candida albicans.[14] Nitric oxide has also been shown to trigger the dispersal of biofilms of several bacteria species [15][16] at sub-toxic concentrations. Nitric oxide has the potential for the treatment of patients that suffer from chronic infections caused by biofilms.[17] [edit] Properties Biofilms are usually found on solid substrates submerged in or exposed to an aqueous solution, although they can form as floating mats on liquid surfaces and also on the surface of leaves, particularly in high humidity climates. Given sufficient resources for growth, a biofilm will quickly grow to be macroscopic (visible to the naked eye). Biofilms can contain many different types of microorganism, e.g. bacteria, archaea, protozoa, fungi and algae; each group performs specialized metabolic functions. However, some organisms will form single-species films under certain conditions. The social structure (cooperation, competition) within a biofilm highly depends on the different species present.[18] [edit] Extracellular matrix The biofilm is held together and protected by a matrix of secreted polymeric compounds called EPS. EPS is an abbreviation for either extracellular polymeric substance or exopolysaccharide. This matrix protects the cells within it and facilitates communication among them through biochemical signals. Some biofilms have been found to contain water channels that help distribute nutrients and signalling molecules.[19] This matrix is strong enough that under certain conditions, biofilms can become fossilized (Stromatolites). Bacteria living in a biofilm usually have significantly different properties from free-floating bacteria of the same species, as the dense and protected environment of the film allows them to cooperate and interact in various ways. One benefit of this environment is increased resistance to detergents and antibiotics, as the dense extracellular matrix and the outer layer of cells protect the interior of the community. In some cases antibiotic resistance can be increased a thousandfold.[20] Lateral gene transfer is greatly facilitated in biofilms and leads to a more stable biofilm structure.[21] However, biofilms are not always less susceptible to antibiotics. For instance, the biofilm form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa has no greater resistance to antimicrobials than do stationary-phase planktonic cells, although when the biofilm is compared to logarithmic phase planktonic cells, the biofilm does have greater resistance to antimicrobials. This resistance to antibiotics in both stationary phase cells and biofilms may be due to the presence of persister cells.[22] [edit] Examples Biofilms are ubiquitous. Nearly every species of microorganism, not only bacteria and archaea, have mechanisms by which they can adhere to surfaces and to each other. Biofilms will form on virtually every non-shedding surface in a non-sterile aqueous (or very humid) environment. • Biofilms can be found on rocks and pebbles at the bottom of most streams or rivers and often form on the surface of stagnant pools of water. In fact, biofilms are important components of food chains in rivers and streams and are grazed by the aquatic invertebrates upon which many fish feed. • Biofilms can grow in the most extreme environments: from, for example, the extremely hot, briny waters of hot springs ranging from very acidic to very alkaline, to frozen glaciers. • In the human environment, biofilms can grow in showers very easily since they provide a moist and warm environment for the biofilm to thrive. Biofilms can form inside water and sewage pipes and cause clogging and corrosion. Biofilms on floors and counters can make sanitation difficult in food preparation areas. • Biofilms in cooling- or heating-water systems are known to reduce heat transfer.[23] • Biofilms in marine engineering systems, such as pipelines of the offshore oil and gas industry,[24] can lead to substantial corrosion problems. Corrosion is mainly due to abiotic factors; however, at least 20% of corrosion is caused by microorganisms that are attached to the metal subsurface (i.e., microbially influenced corrosion). • Bacterial adhesion to boat hulls serves as the foundation for biofouling of seagoing vessels. Once a film of bacteria forms, it is easier for other marine organisms such as barnacles to attach. Such fouling can reduce maximum vessel speed by up to 20%, prolonging voyages and consuming fuel. Time in dry dock for refitting and repainting reduces the productivity of shipping assets, and the useful life of ships is also reduced due to corrosion and mechanical removal (scraping) of marine organisms from ships' hulls. • Biofilms can also be harnessed for constructive purposes. For example, many sewage treatment plants include a treatment stage in which waste water passes over biofilms grown on filters, which extract and digest organic compounds. In such biofilms, bacteria are mainly responsible for removal of organic matter (BOD), while protozoa and rotifers are mainly responsible for removal of suspended solids (SS), including pathogens and other microorganisms. Slow sand filters rely on biofilm development in the same way to filter surface water from lake, spring or river sources for drinking purposes. What we regard as clean water is effectively a waste material to these microcellular organisms. • Biofilms can help eliminate petroleum oil from contaminated oceans or marine systems. The oil is eliminated by the hydrocarbon-degrading activities of microbial communities, in particular by a remarkable recently discovered group of specialists, the so-called hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria (HCB).[25] • Stromatolites are layered accretionary structures formed in shallow water by the trapping, binding and cementation of sedimentary grains by microbial biofilms, especially of cyanobacteria. Stromatolites include some of the most ancient records of life on Earth, and are still forming today. • Biofilms are present on the teeth of most animals as dental plaque, where they may cause tooth decay and gum disease. • Biofilms are found on the surface of and inside plants. They can either contribute to crop disease or, as in the case of nitrogen-fixing Rhizobium on roots, exist symbiotically with the plant.[26] Examples of crop diseases related to biofilms include Citrus Canker, Pierce's Disease of grapes, and Bacterial Spot of plants such as peppers and tomatoes.[27] • Biofilms are used in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) to generate electricity from a variety of starting materials, including complex organic waste and renewable biomass.[2] [edit] Biofilms and infectious diseases Biofilms have been found to be involved in a wide variety of microbial infections in the body, by one estimate 80% of all infections.[28] Infectious processes in which biofilms have been implicated include common problems such as urinary tract infections, catheter infections, middle-ear infections, formation of dental plaque,[29] gingivitis,[29] coating contact lenses,[30] and less common but more lethal processes such as endocarditis, infections in cystic fibrosis, and infections of permanent indwelling devices such as joint prostheses and heart valves.[31][32] More recently it has been noted that bacterial biofilms may impair cutaneous wound healing and reduce topical antibacterial efficiency in healing or treating infected skin wounds.[33] It has recently been shown that biofilms are present on the removed tissue of 80% of patients undergoing surgery for chronic sinusitis. The patients with biofilms were shown to have been denuded of cilia and goblet cells, unlike the controls without biofilms who had normal cilia and goblet cell morphology.[34] Biofilms were also found on samples from two of 10 healthy controls mentioned. The species of bacteria from interoperative cultures did not correspond to the bacteria species in the biofilm on the respective patient's tissue. In other words, the cultures were negative though the bacteria were present.[35] Biofilms can also be formed on the inert surfaces of implanted devices such as catheters, prosthetic cardiac valves and intrauterine devices. [36] New staining techniques are being developed to differentiate bacterial cells growing in living animals, e.g. from tissues with allergy-inflammations .[37] Research has shown that sub-therapeutic levels of β-lactam antibiotics induce biofilm formation in Staphylococcus aureus. This sub-therapeutic level of antibiotic may result from the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in agriculture, or during the normal course of antibiotic therapy. The biofilm formation induced by low-level methicillin was inhibited by DNase, suggesting that the sub-therapeutic levels of antibiotic also induce extracellular DNA release. [38] [edit] Dental plaque Dental plaque is the material that adheres to the teeth and consists of bacterial cells (mainly Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis), salivary polymers and bacterial extracellular products. Plaque is a biofilm on the surfaces of the teeth. This accumulation of microorganisms subject the teeth and gingival tissues to high concentrations of bacterial metabolites which results in dental disease.[29][39] [edit] Legionellosis Legionella bacteria are known to grow under certain conditions in biofilms, in which they are protected against disinfectants. Workers in cooling towers, persons working in air conditioned rooms and people taking a shower are exposed to Legionella by inhalation when the systems are not well designed, constructed, or maintained.[40] [edit] References ^ Hall-Stoodley L, Costerton JW, Stoodley P (February 2004). "Bacterial biofilms: from the natural environment to infectious diseases". Nature Reviews. Microbiology 2 (2): 95–108. doi:10.1038/nrmicro821. PMID 15040259. ^ a b Lear, G; Lewis, GD (editor) (2012). Microbial Biofilms: Current Research and Applications. Caister Academic Press. ISBN 978-1-904455-96-7. ^ Karatan E, Watnick P (June 2009). "Signals, regulatory networks, and materials that build and break bacterial biofilms". Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews 73 (2): 310–47. doi:10.1128/MMBR.00041-08. PMC 2698413. PMID 19487730. ^ Hoffman LR, D'Argenio DA, MacCoss MJ, Zhang Z, Jones RA, Miller SI (August 2005). "Aminoglycoside antibiotics induce bacterial biofilm formation". Nature 436 (7054): 1171–5. doi:10.1038/nature03912. PMID 16121184. (primary source) ^ An D, Parsek MR (June 2007). "The promise and peril of transcriptional profiling in biofilm communities". Current Opinion in Microbiology 10 (3): 292–6. doi:10.1016/j.mib.2007.05.011. PMID 17573234. ^ JPG Images: niaid.nih.gov erc.montana.edu ^ Donlan, Rodney M. 2002. Biofilms: Microbial Life on Surfaces. Emerging Infectious Diseases. Vol. 8, No. 9: pg. 881-890. ^ Ibid. ^ Ibid. ^ Kaplan JB, Ragunath C, Ramasubbu N, Fine DH (August 2003). "Detachment of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans biofilm cells by an endogenous beta-hexosaminidase activity". Journal of Bacteriology 185 (16): 4693–8. doi:10.1128/JB.185.16.4693-4698.2003. PMC 166467. PMID 12896987. ^ Izano EA, Amarante MA, Kher WB, Kaplan JB (January 2008). "Differential roles of poly-N-acetylglucosamine surface polysaccharide and extracellular DNA in Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms". Applied and Environmental Microbiology 74 (2): 470–6. doi:10.1128/AEM.02073-07. PMC 2223269. PMID 18039822.

Get The Break You Need... Quickly...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 15:02:00 -0800

That one break, that one opportunity, if you could only
get it would turn things around, get you back on track
and lead to success and better days.
Today I'm going to show you how to get that break
so that you begin to enjoy life again.
That break, that would help you turn things around
is really the right opportunity.
That opportunity could be a relationship, a promotion, a job offer,
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There's a simple way to attract any opportunity you want.
You only have to follow the process and the results will follow.
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Last week I got an email from David Haskin who
wanted to start up a health care business
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David knew some well connected people but
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I suggested he keep working with the material
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A friend of David's told him about an upcoming
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Coincidence?
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When he met an old friend David didn't turn away,
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These simple acts helped him secure funding for his
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You too can create the situations that will
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When you feed your mind and subconscious mind the
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How YOU Can Create The Right Opportunities
First let me clearly state that there is no such
thing as coincidence. Instead you orchestrate
everything that happens to you - even what you
think is a coincidence is created by you on some level.
You create these so called coincidences or
opportunities by working with the power of
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You can create good or bad things in your life
it's really your choice.
The negative things that occur, happen because you don't
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the kind of so called coincidences to help you.
Or you refused to obey the warning signs that
come up everyday.
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Nothing happens by chance.
You orchestrate every coincidence that happens in your life.
When you accept this you empower yourself and you're able to
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to attract what you want, when you want.
Here's how you orchestrate your own apparent coincidences,
situations and opportunities - including those that work
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When you're focused on something, when you think
about it regularly, when it's a priority in your
life then you'll begin to notice little
coincidences pop up.
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coincidences become more apparent.
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these coincidences happen sooner.
So if you constantly worry, live in fear, or your angry,
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create coincidences that are negative or lead to more misery.
You'll attract the people who support what you constantly
think about and believe.
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that you need to worry or be angry about something.
To create your own positive coincidences, positive opportunities
or positive events focus on what you want.
Think about what you want to happen.
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and making the right choices to succeed or get what you want.
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Be patient and be alert.
Watch for little things that come up remember there
is no such thing as coincidence.
When you notice what looks like a coincidence
make a note of it and remember the process is
already at work and soon the right coincidence
will arrive to help you achieve your goal.
Remember you will be guided to what is best for you
all you have to do is follow the signs along the road.
Read them, pay attention to what appear to be coincidences.
You can create the life you want.
You can attract the people that will help you.
You can achieve your goals and be happy.
Start creating your positive coincidences today don't
waste another minute. Visit:
http://www.creatingpower.com/course.htm
"Karim, I just wanted to let you know how much
I enjoy your Creating Power program.
I listen to your cds and do the exercises everyday.
In recent weeks I have seen myself grow more confident
and my attitude and outlook on life has improved dramatically.
When I started your program I was looking for a new job.
I secured a great position with a really good company last month.
I have also been going out more and am making progress
in meeting the right person, that's all I'll say about
that area but I will keep you posted. I know
I'll make the right choices thanks to your Creating Power course.
I see things I never used to see before.
I believe in myself and no longer doubt my every step.
I know there are better days ahead. Thank you so much Karim."
-Anna Timmins, Texas USA
http://www.creatingpower.com/course.htm
You too can begin improving your life.
Yes you can create the coincidences to achieve success,
happiness and much more.
Take control of your thoughts and you change your life.
Start today - don't waste another moment creating the
life you don't want. Remember - this is it.
This is the only life you have. Use your incredible
powers to make the most of it. Visit:
http://www.creatingpower.com/mwainc.htm
Sincerely,
Karim Hajee
Creating Power
PS: Remember if you don't do anything, if you don't
change the way your mind works and direct your subconscious mind
to create the life you want everything stays the same
nothing changes. This is your life! Make the most of it.
Begin working with the power of your mind and subconscious mind
to create the life you want. Visit:
http://www.creatingpower.com/course.htm

**************************************************

Plug In The Winning Mindset, Eliminate Fear And Anxiety,
And Tap Into Your Endless Flow Of Spiritual
Abundance In Just Minutes.
Finally, there's a sure-fire way to achieve your goals,
overcome difficulties and start living the life you want.
It's based on a combination of established,
time tested results and the latest study of the mind.
Free 30-day trial: visit:
http://www.creatingpower.com/pobcpcinc.htm

****************************************************
Follow Me On Twitter.
I'm sending positive messages and positive vibes through
twitter to help you stay motivated, focused and attract
great things into your life - so follow me on twitter and
get your positive and motivating tweets
Click Here To Follow Me On Twitter

AGILE

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 3 Jan 2011 05:15:00 -0800

Happy New Year and let's make 2011 your best year ever.
In this special New Year's edition I'll show you how to
fulfill your resolutions, so you enjoy the success you want this year and every year.
I know a lot of people make resolutions at the start of every year.
Sadly, most never fulfill them.
They somehow convince themselves to give up or get distracted.
They push their goals to the sidelines and lose the desire to achieve them.
Why?
Because you focus on the wrong things.
And in the process you direct your mind and subconscious mind to create
exactly what you don't want.
Now I'm going to show you how to change that.
When you create your resolution or goal, think about why this goal or
resolution is important to you.
If you want to lose weight; think about why you want to lose weight.
The answer might be to look good or be healthier.
That answer is your motivating factor... its what you really want.
Losing weight merely helps you accomplish that goal.
Then start thinking of what else could you do to accomplish that goal
What else could you do to look great or be healthier?
Then start taking steps to accomplish that.
Now the important part
Regularly think about your goal and why you want to achieve it.
Feed your mind and subconscious mind positive messages about
achieving your goals.
When negative thoughts creep in, remove them.
When you have doubts, replace those doubts with positive
message and how you can achieve your goal.
When you're about to give up, think of why that goal is
important and tell yourself that you can achieve your goals.
When you have your mind and subconscious mind focused on
achieving your goal you will succeed.
The key is to regularly give them the direction and
proper instructions so that you do succeed. Start today - visit:
http://www.creatingpower.com/course.htm
Make this your best year ever.
Get your mind focused on achieving your goals.
Give yourself a fresh start and a new way to build the life you want.
If you experienced setbacks, now is the time to turn things around.
Don't let the negative voice tell you that you can't succeed.
You can accomplish anything you want.
You are a powerful human being and you have amazing abilities.
Your power is in your subconscious mind.
Give it the right instructions and you'll succeed. Visit:
http://www.creatingpower.com/course.htm
"Karim, I've been working with your course for
nearly a year and I have been really impressed with
the way things have turned out. By working with your
program I was able to shed all those negative thoughts and
I started to believe in myself. I accomplished the goals I set out to achieve
and it all happened very smoothly. You kept
telling me to trust the process and I did. I know this
system works and I continue to use it everyday. Yes, I get
some negative thoughts but I know how to deal with them and
I know how to get stronger. I thought I would write to wish you
and your family a wonderful holiday season and all the best for the new year.
You really changed my life and I am much happier today.
I haven't felt this excited about life for a long time.
Thank you Karim."
Marie Gibson, San Diego, USA
http://www.creatingpower.com/course.htm
Yes you can have the same success as Marie.
Yes you can achieve your goals.
Yes you can enjoy your life.
Yes you can have the best year ever.
Get rid of the doubts and negative chatter that says you can't.
You can achieve your goals.
Feed your mind and subconscious mind positive encouragement.
Direct your subconscious to create what you want.
Focus on your goals and think of how and why you can achieve them.
Don't push them to the sidelines... make this your best year ever.
You are a powerful human being with tremendous power.
Work with that power, direct your subconscious mind to
create the life you want. Start today.
Make this your best year ever - visit:
http://www.creatingpower.com/course.htm
Wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year...
Sincerely,
Karim Hajee
Creating Power
PS: Remember if you don't do anything - if you don't change the way your mind
works and direct your subconscious mind to create the
life you want - everything stays the same - nothing changes. This
is your life - make the most of it - begin working with the power
of your mind and subconscious mind to create the life you want. Visit:
http://www.creatingpower.com/course.htm

************************************
Get more done in less time...
Make this the year you put and end to procrastinating
Manifest Wealth and Abundance
Eliminate Fear and Anxiety
Increase your confidence.
Put an end to depression and no longer be stuck in a rut
Re-direct your mind and subconscious mind quickly and easily.
No homework.
No Exercises.
Just hit the play button and let the changes take place.
http://www.cpaffirmations.com

AGILE GLOBAL MEDIA OUTREACH

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 3 Jan 2011 05:01:00 -0800

Scripture
"...If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all - how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?" Romans 8:31 - 34
The People
Please pray for the people of Nigeria. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, with over 150 million people. There are many Christians in Nigeria. Please pray that there will be a tremendous revival and the love of God will be poured out throughout Nigeria and the churches will grow stronger.
The Power of Internet Evangelism
At www.iChristianLife.com, you can start the new year right and learn more about Jesus and how you can live a victorious Christian life in the power of God's Holy Spirit.
Weekly Prayer Focus
Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords! As we start this new year, let us remember that we serve the one true living God and His Son Jesus Christ who is Himself God.

If God is for us, who can be against us? I know that our troubles - and your troubles - can seem enormous to each of us. But God is greater than our troubles. God knows the plans He has for us, and they are plans for good and not for harm, plans to give us a future and a hope.

As you look to this new year, ask God to give you His faith and His hope and His love. Faith in God - hope for the future - and love for God and for those around you. Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit and His joy, and you can have victory over discouragement and sin and even death. Jesus Christ is Lord! No power is greater than God. You can have great victory in your life in Jesus Christ in 2011.

So, this week, let us pray and ask God to
- Fill each of us with His faith and His joy and His hope and His love
- Save millions of people all around the world
- Help us all at Global Media Outreach to reach the world for Jesus Christ and to be safe in His love

THANK YOU; THANK YOU; THANK YOU for your prayers in 2010. May God bless you mightily in this new year of 2011.
Your friends at Global Media Outreach
Responses
"I am really glad to know God as my savior, the one who died for my sin. However, I want to know how will I grow more with God, now I recommit on Him. I am starting all over again to be more close with Him. I want to maintain my communication with Him. Tell me How.. :) Thanks Guys."

THE TOP 10 STEPS THAT WILL HELP GET YOU UNSTUCK

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 09:57:00 -0700

It’s not unusual to feel stuck, trapped, and unable to move from a situation you feel is stifling. Actually, it’s part of life and growth. But, getting “stuck in” and “growing through” situations are different. Here are ten ways to shift from one to the other:
Step back and ask yourself what’s really going on. When you’re caught up in the stuff of everyday life, it’s easy to lose objectivity. It’s good to set aside a little time each day to challenge the obviousness of what seems to be going on. Is there a lesson to be learned that you are missing? Might that setback really be a step forward? Will things really turn out as badly as you think they will?
Consider whether what’s happening has happened before. Is this a unique situation or is it just another example, in different garb, of an issue you’ve failed to confront before? If it’s the latter, maybe now’s the time to solve it and move on.
Assume that present events and circumstances may be less of a “problem” than parts of a larger “process.” There’s a fair case to be made for the notion that, in this life, all is process rather than result. In other words, what this life is really about is growth and learning. Viewed in this light, where you’re heading is not as important as how you choose to get there. (For those who are strongly goal-oriented, this may be tough to swallow.)
Ask yourself what you can do next. It’s the small steps that lead to successful journeys. Don’t get sucked in by the suggestion that you’ve got to solve it all today.
Do something – anything! When you’re stuck, taking any step puts you in a different place and helps change your perspective, even if it’s a wrong move! And, doing something could be a conscious decision to do absolutely nothing!
Look for support nearby. Almost always, help is at hand, a phone call or a touch away. We tend to look out there or off into the future, thinking that the help we need is just not available to us in our present situation. If, instead, you begin with the assumption that the tools you need to solve the problem are close at hand, you’ll be amazed at how it sharpens your vision!
Take the negatives, one by one, and toss them out. Negatives can be just as powerful as positives, depending on how much energy you can give them. It’s your choice.
Take one positive, unselfish project and make it yours. Help someone else, even if you think that you’re the one who needs help. And don’t be surprised if, in your darkest moment, someone comes knocking at your door – asking for help.
If lack is a problem, try substituting the word “service” for profit or gain. You “get” from what you lack, but you “give” from what you are. When you begin to consider seriously how you can be of service, it can be absolutely amazing how much you discover you have to give.
Be grateful for every blessing. It’s not big jumps that lead to greatness – it’s the small steps. The “little” good things that happen to us (and sometimes they seem to be very little) are tests of our awareness. It pays off not to flunk these tests!

FINALLY, YOU CAN HAVE THE LIFE YOU REALLY WANT…

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 03:00:00 -0700

Finally, you can have the life you really want…
This Amazing Secret Reveals How to
Eliminate Stress From Your Life,
Skyrocket Your Self-Confidence, and
Program Yourself For Automatic Lifetime Success
Yes, You Can Expand Your Comfort Zone, Shatter the Beliefs that are
Limiting Your Life, and Instantly Boost Your Self-Esteem Forever.
In 5-Minutes A Day, You Can Easily Create
The Life You Want - Guaranteed!
If you have ever thought about why some people are successful in life and others live out their lives in failure. If you've ever wanted to be one of those people who lives their dreams, the answer is at hand.

Never Before Has It Been This Simple to
Achieve Your Every Dream.

As you think about your dreams and what's important to you about moving toward your ideal lifestyle, you might realize that we are all either moving toward or away from our dreams at all times.
If we procrastinate, we're putting our dreams off - maybe for a few years or maybe forever.

And when you delay your dreams, you miss out on life.

The ideal is to live our dreams now before it's too late. It's important to take some action each and every day, no matter how big or small in pursuit of our dreams. And the way that countless people who reached their dreams was with my Creating Power program.

You might be reading this website and think you'd like to make some changes in your life. But sometimes, even though you'd like a better job, to feel closer to your family, or even feel good about yourself, something inside stops you from taking action.

One of the traits of people who are confident in their use of power and who really go for it is that they immediately take action. If you want to make your dreams reality, like so many before you have done, I want you to focus your attention on what you really desire inside your heart.

GET RID OF THOSE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 01:08:00 -0700

GET RID OF THOSE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS...
Positive thinkers have all the fun... they enjoy success,
the enjoy life, and even when things don't quite workout they
find a way to forge ahead.
Why?
Because their head isn't filled with negative thinking.
They don't have the doom and gloom mindset where every little mistake or error is magnified.
They focus on the small success and move past the little things that don't quite workout.
They don't get crippled by negative thinking.
You can eliminate negative thinking, quickly and easily, and today I'll show you how
to end the negative thinking so that you enjoy success in every are of your life.
Start by Eliminating Negative Thoughts
Negative thoughts really have no purpose.
They don't make you feel good and instead can often lead to anger,
frustration, procrastination and will destroy relationships and
make you miserable.
Now I know everybody has some negative thoughts from time to time
(myself included), especially when you're tired.
But meaningless and negative thoughts, the kind where you worry for no reason, serve
no purpose because they don't help you accomplish your goals and
they just take up space and energy.
A mind filled with optimism and positive thinking is a mind geared to
success and will guarantee that you enjoy life on your terms.
So let's change those negative thoughts.
Let's get rid of them and develop a positive and optimistic mindset.
You need to have thoughts that help you achieve your goals, make you feel
better, help you find solutions and allow you to enjoy the success you deserve.
The first step is to change those negative thoughts as soon as you notice them.
If you constantly focus on what could go wrong - you'll always
create and attract negative situations... the kind that don't work out.
If you regularly focus on how things can improve, and when you
constantly focus on positive things - you will attract situations
and events that work out for you and you will attract more positive
events and people.
Your subconscious mind will always create the situations and events
that you regularly think about.
So start replacing those negative and useless thoughts with positive
and constructive thoughts.
Begin directing your mind and subconscious mind to create the life
that you want - and you'll begin achieving your goals sooner than
you realize.
REPLACE THOSE THOUGHTS WITH POSITIVE THOUGHTS.
At any point during the day when ever you have a free moment -
catch yourself thinking. If you find you're having a negative thought,
if you're looking at the worst in a situation, if you're focused on what
could go wrong - then you need to change that pattern of thinking right away.
Pay attention to your thoughts.
Observe them and analyze them.
Ask yourself: "Does this thought or belief work for me? Does it
help me? Does it make me feel better?"
If the answer is no - then you have to change it. And you can
change the thought by simply thinking of the opposite or creating a
new thought that helps you create what you want.
For example: If you're constantly thinking about why you're not
good enough or why you can't achieve something - change those
thoughts. Think about why you are good enough and why you can
achieve something. At first you may have to push yourself to come
up with reasons - but the more you do this exercise the easier it gets.
And as you apply it regularly you'll find answers and solutions easily.
As you regularly think about why you can do something you'll start
to believe that you can achieve that goal. The minute you begin to
believe that you can do something your subconscious mind goes out
and creates the situations to help you achieve that goal.
It's that simple and extremely powerful.
Eliminating the negative thoughts has a powerful impact and will allow you
to spring out of bed, walk around with a hop in your step and a smile on your
face because you'll just be enjoying life.
Try it for a full week and see how you feel...
Your thoughts and beliefs are the fuels that drive your subconscious.
Feed your subconscious negative thoughts and negative beliefs and
you'll stall your engine.
That means you won't be able to achieve your goals.
Feed your subconscious positive thoughts and positive beliefs - and
you turbo charge yourself to success.
Start changing your thoughts today.
Begin directing your mind and subconscious mind to help you live
the life you want and achieve your goals.
You can eliminate the negative thoughts.
You can get rid of the junk in your head.
You can begin to improve your life and achieve your goals.
Start eliminating those negative thoughts today.
Start changing your attitude and begin creating the life you want today.
Make this your time to shine.
Become a positive thinker... start today and you'll begin
to enjoy the rest of your life...

LOVE YOU FOREVER

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 12:14:00 -0700

Love is a friendship that has caught fire, it is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses.

Love is content with the present, it hopes for the future, and it doesn't brood over the past. It's the day in and day out chronicle of irritations, problems, compromises, small disappointments, big victories, and working toward common goals.

If you have love in your life, it can make up for a great many things you lack. If you don't have it, no matter what else there is, it's not enough.

Of all the people in this world, you're the one I run to. Your name has been inscribed in my heart before I knew your name. In the moment we met all those years ago, I knew you were the one. I whisper your name each morning when I wake, and each night to the stars.

I am who I am because of you, and there is no one else I want to be. You have taught me so much about this world, and even through the times when darkness covered my world, you were always the light.

I will love you for the rest of my life, no matter what.

CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE COUNCELLING

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 08:29:00 -0700

Christian Marriage Counseling - The Purposes
Christian marriage counseling is a tool to help people in troubled relationships learn to understand one another and God better. We might think, "I don't need counseling. I can solve my own problems just fine." But if you are here, visiting this site, it's likely you are in a situation that would benefit from an outsider's perspective. Christian marriage counseling can help you see what God wants from your marriage.

Christian marriage counseling generally involves three main areas: 1) problems or issues in general, such as difficulty communicating, a loss of closeness, etc. 2) personal problems that develop or occur within marriage. 3) loss of a sense of God's principles for marriage.

The need for marital counseling cannot be emphasized enough, even for Christians, because we live in a world that often encourages the destruction of marriage. As Christians, we additionally recognize the presence of an enemy, on the prowl to devour (1 Peter 5:8) marriages. From the beginning, marriage has been part of God's plan for His creation, and Satan is vehemently against this precious tradition. If we need evidence that we are in trouble, just take a look at the divorce rate both in Christian and non-christian environments.
Christian Marriage Counseling - Problems or Issues
Christian marriage counseling seeks to address problems and issues. If problems are not dealt with in a timely manner, they can fester and bring further devastation to a marriage. While problems are common to every marriage, Christians have the means to solve them. Think of it as deflecting a virus before it takes hold of our bodies. An appropriate response may not prevent the virus, but it can help us weather the storm and rebound stronger as a result.

So in marriage, it is important to recognize and acknowledge problems early. Marriage counseling brings attention to these problems and helps resolve them. Prevalent problems include poor communication, a lack of closeness or intimacy, nagging, or anger.

At the root of many of these problems is pride. We often believe we can solve our own problems. This can be aggravating in a marriage, especially when one spouse recognizes a need for help and the other refuses. The Bible tells us to examine ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5). This principle would also include marriages, so if there are issues that need resolution, counseling is a godly choice.

When spouses seek the Lord and are open to counsel and wisdom, they bring hope to their situation and show others that God can help them, too.

Problems may also be relational, a result of not knowing how to interact, whether emotionally, intellectually, or physically. Other serious problems that could develop might be lying, adultery, pornography, emotional wounds, mental conditions, etc. When these problems are not dealt with, they represent a potentially crushing threat to the marriage.
Christian Marriage Counseling - God's Principles of Marriage
Christian marriage counseling helps us refocus on our priorities. It's easy for us to get distracted and lose sight of what and who is important. In addition to helping us find solutions to problems and issues, Christian counseling can provide marital and relationship-building techniques. By offering precepts from God's Word, good Christian marriage counseling can help quench the "viruses" that affect and harm our relationships.

Christian marriage counseling can help us deal with the problems that threaten to tear apart our lives. Effective counseling reassures us that God cares and that He desires to be a central part in our marriage. We can learn principles from God's Word that will remind us in days to come of God's ideals for husbands and wives (Ephesians 5:21-33; 1 Peter 3:1-11). Christian marriage counselors share and encourage these precepts.

How is your marriage? Is there a virus threatening to take hold? Does your relationship need realignment? Are you and your spouse following a biblical precedent?

How to Keep Your Christian Marriage Strong and Healthy
Step 1 - Pray Together:
Set aside time each day to pray with your spouse.
My husband and I have found that first thing in the morning is the best time for us. We ask God to fill us with His Holy Spirit and give us strength for the day ahead. It brings us closer together as we care for each other every day. We think about what the day ahead holds for our partner. Our loving affection goes beyond the physical realm to the emotional and spiritual realm. This develops true intimacy with each other and with God.
Perhaps a better time for you as a couple might be just before you go to bed each night. It's impossible to fall asleep angry when you've just held hands together in God's presence.
Tips:
Pray these Christian prayers for couples.
Learn these basics to prayer.
Step 2 - Read Together:
Set aside time each day, or at least once a week, to read the Bible together.
This might also be described as a time of devotions. About five years ago my husband and I began setting aside time each weekday morning to read the Bible and pray together -- a couple's devotional time. We read to each other, either from the Bible or from a devotional book, and then we spend a few minutes in prayer together.
We've had to commit to rising from sleep about 30 minutes earlier in order to do this, but it's been a wonderful, intimate time of strengthening our marriage. It took 2 1/2 years, but what a sense of accomplishment we felt when we realized we had read through the entire Bible together!
Tip:
Find out how spending time with God can enrich your life.
Step 3 - Make Decisions Together:
Commit to making important decision together.
I'm not talking about deciding on what to eat for dinner. Major decisions, like financial ones, are best decided as a couple. One of the greatest areas of strain in a marriage is the sphere of finances. As a couple you should discuss your finances on a regular basis, even if one of you is better at handling the practical aspects, like paying the bills and balancing the check book. Keeping secrets about spending will drive a wedge between a couple faster than anything.
If you agree to come to mutual decisions on how the finances are handled, this will strengthen trust between you and your partner. Also, you won't be able to keep secrets from each other if you commit to making all important family decisions together. This is one of the best ways to develop trust as a couple.
Tip:
Check out these top Christian books about marriage.
Step 4 - Attend Church Together:
Get involved in a church together.
Find a place of worship where you and your spouse will not only attend together, but enjoy areas of mutual interest, such as serving in a ministry and making Christian friends together. The Bible says in Hebrews 10:24-25, that one of the best ways we can stir up love and encourage good deeds is by remaining faithful to the Body of Christ by meeting together regularly as believers.
Tips:
Discover practical advice on finding a church.
Learn what the Bible says about church attendance.
Step 5 - Continue Dating:
Set aside special, regular times to continue developing your romance.
Once married, couples often neglect the area of romance, especially after the kids come along. Continuing a dating life may take some strategic planning on your part as a couple, but it is vital to maintaining a secure and intimate marriage. Keeping the romance alive will also be a bold testimony to the strength of your Christian marriage.
Tips:
Consider these great ways to say "I love you."
Learn 4 simple ways to rekindle intimacy.
Read this tribute to my parent's love.
Conclusion:
These 5 steps require real, committed effort on your part. Falling in love may have seemed effortless, but keeping your Christian marriage strong will take ongoing work. The good news is—building a healthy marriage is not all that complicated or difficult if you're determined to follow a few basic principles.

Intensive Christian Marriage Counseling for Couples in Crisis
We are caring, accepting, non-judgmental Christian Marriage Counselors who specialize in crisis Christian Marriage Counseling. We help couples (both married and un-married) who need immediate and highly-skilled help. We help couples heal from deep hurts, loss of love, broken trust, and the pain
of unresolved issues and conflicts.

Is One Hour a Week Christian Marriage Counseling Best for Couples in Crisis?
If you were to need heart surgery, would you want your Cardiologist to do it "a little bit each week?"
Our Marriage Intensives are for couples who need to stop the pain now! Once this kind of "major surgery" has been accomplished, staying on a good path is
much more do-able.
Since most issues can't be resolved in an hour, couples can merely open up old wounds and walk away feeling even more hopeless than before the session. This leaves hurting couples discouraged and vulnerable. With local one hour a week Christian Marriage Counseling, often, by the time couples are just getting to the root of one of their issues--it's time to stop the session.
Results
To date, over 90% of couples who come to our Marriage Intensive leave totally committed to their marriage. This is true even when there has been infidelity or separation. By the end of an Intensive couples have resolved the issues that have caused them such deep pain. Couples are equipped to have the marriage of their dreams!

Small Group Intensives

BE THOU POSITIVE MINDED

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 3 Apr 2010 04:50:00 -0700

Put an End to Negative Thinking... Have More Abundance, Wealth,
Success, Happiness

This Powerful E-Course and Mp3 Unlocks the Power Of Your Mind And
Subconscious Mind...

In 7-Days or Less You'll Develop Positive Thinking patterns, powerful
instincts and eliminate any self defeating thoughts that hold you
back... And Enjoy the Success and Happiness You Deserve...

With This Free E-Course and Mp3 You Will...

* Create Empowering Beliefs that catapult you to success in every
area of your life.
* Be Laser focused so you get more done in less time
* Eliminate Fear and Anxiety
* Change your thinking to immediately open opportunities, and get
rid of the negative thinking
* Direct the awesome power of your subconscious mind so that you
attract the people, situations and circumstances to help you create
the life you want... you'll be a magnet for success
* Let Go Of the past... and build the future you want...
* Enjoy more energy and less stress
* Get more done in less time
* Create new self-talk patterns that lead to success
* Stop Procrastinating
* Attract Abundance, and prosperity
* Direct Your Subconscious Mind to Create Success and Happiness
* Put an end to struggling once and for all...

Plus much, much more on the way...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 10:46:00 -0700

BENEFITS OF RELIGION IN THE SOCIETY
News Articles,Public Affairs
An article written by Don Horrocks in response to the Charity Commission’s consultation on ‘Public Benefit and the Advancement of Religion’
08 July 2008
The Charity Commission’s consultation on ‘Public Benefit and the Advancement of Religion’[1] ended on 30th June. We can expect a period of serious reflection and critical questioning before the Commission finalises its guidance to the religious charitable sector in accordance with its monitoring of charities in the light of the Charities Act 2006.
Many religious groups, including the Evangelical Alliance, have generally welcomed the new Act and have broadly supported the new concept of charities in future having to demonstrate their contribution to public benefit rather than it being presumed as in the past. However, some serious concerns remain. The Church of England, for example, warned that Christian charities in particular are in danger of political interference from the new public benefit rules. It is worried that a charity existing exclusively to promote traditional Christian views in a particular area – such as marriage and sexual ethics – could have its charitable status threatened, and that the Commission’s intention to assess membership criteria, evangelism methods, doctrinal interpretation, and public opinion represents a serious exceeding of powers and competence. It also points out that religious groups who provide pastoral care are already under pressure in other areas to suppress their religious character and distinctives.[2]
Whilst the benefits of religion and belief do have to be assessed and articulated in satisfactory ways to be comprehensible to a largely secular legal world, because spiritual benefit, for example, may be less easy to quantify, it is important that its distinctive language should not become marginalized in favour of purely secular categories. Spiritual benefit is not a notional concept but its relevance and significance is often only appreciated by experience. The challenge of understanding and recognising the validity, nature and language of religion and belief in terms of its own particular character relating to public benefits needs to be respected and taken on board, not least as religion and belief now forms a major human rights strand of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Attempts to reduce the language of religion and belief to purely secular/sociological terminology or the lowest common language denominator of ‘non-religious belief systems’ and so-called humanist ‘spiritualised principles’ should be resisted. Whilst it clearly needs to explain itself in understandable categories, in dealing with religion and belief its own terminology should not be discarded whilst attempting to force it into a ‘one size fits all’ secular mould that may be unsuited to its particular nature and characteristics. Requiring religion to speak only the language of the non-religious is a dangerous notion since secular organisations are frequently diametrically opposed to faith and share little in common, notwithstanding attempts by e.g., humanist groups to present themselves as a secular version of religion. It is therefore crucial that religious charitable organisations are asked the right and the most appropriate questions and are not merely required to check lowest common denominator tick boxes.
In other areas, the Charity Commission suggests that it is sufficient to demonstrate public benefit merely to ‘appreciate the arts’ or to ‘experience positive feelings when helping sick animals’. In which case self-evident spiritual benefits provided by religion and belief should be acknowledged for what they are on their own terms, traditionally expressed in the ‘edification and improvement’ of a religion’s followers. Measurement of public benefit should effectively depend on usage – i.e., the fact that people find religion helpful and evidence this by what they do – e.g., in attending church or by other forms of participation. If the felt benefit may be described, for example, in terms of the sense of forgiveness and assurance of salvation experienced through the cross of Jesus Christ, then that should represent a valid religion and belief public benefit descriptor. Though tangible social and community activities often accompany religious faith as inspiration for and manifestation of the outworking of that faith, religion and belief should not necessarily have to demonstrate such other tangible benefits but should be accepted as affording spiritual health and wellbeing in its own right – however indirect or intangible. The whole point is that faith generally equips individuals and groups with the mental and spiritual motivations necessary to be good citizens, a fact that is usually uncontested but that can relatively easily be demonstrated by reference to statistics relating to e.g., crime and social action. Religion does not claim exclusivity in positive contribution to society, but it does claim disproportionate contribution. Indeed, most major charitable institutions owe their origins to religious motivation.
The Evangelical Alliance, in its recent submission to the Charity Commission, took the opportunity to restate some of the features that make the Christian community a vital part of the charity sector:
The value contributed to society by the Christian community in particular and religion and belief in general has often been highlighted. Recent responses by Christian groups to the Charity Commission seek to highlight and articulate the case for charitable status to be retained for all forms of legitimate Christian religious activity, including proclamation of the Christian gospel. Government, Prime Minister,
Chancellor and Home Secretary have all expressed strong recent support for faith groups and the role they play in developing civic society and providing crucial social support community networks.
With regard to missionary or evangelistic Christian charities, questions are still asked as to whether activity solely aimed at presenting and seeking responses to the Gospel should be regarded as meeting the public benefit test. This question was addressed in Government consultations and it was clearly accepted in the consequent parliamentary debates on the Charities Act 2006 that such organisations unquestionably qualified for charitable status. It was recognised that religious organisations need to be able to sustain themselves into the future, something that has always been done through the medium of evangelism (the non-coercive communication of the Christian faith to those not yet committed to the gospel of Christ).

Does Religion Benefit Society?
In my travels I’ve come across the claim that the United States would be much better if everyone was a Christian (or sometimes it’s just some kind of theist) many times. I haven’t seen any polls done on that belief, but based on my experience I bet a good number of people hold it.

Which I why I found this study to be so interesting. It’s titled Cross-National Correlations of Quantifiable Societal Health with Popular Religiosity and Secularism in the Prosperous Democracies (say that ten times fast), from the Journal of Society and Religion. Gregory S. Paul analyzed a whole boatload of data on nearly every indicator for societal health, from violence to STDs, from nearly every first-world country, and compared that to the country’s religiosity. Lets see what he found.

For starters, almost everyone knows that the US is pretty religious. But just in case you didn’t: “[T]he United States is the only prosperous first world nation to retain rates of religiosity otherwise limited to the second and third worlds.” The polls I’ve read vary, but it’s usually between 80 and 90 percent of people believing in a god of some form, with over half taking the Bible literally (although this study says 30%), and a solid majority attending regular services (although this study says 40%). Like I said, polls vary, but the numbers are in that range.

One good indicator of societal health is murder rates. People in a healthy society don’t kill each other. Plus, the Bible says, “Thou shalt not kill”, so if people take the Bible seriously (as a large number of Americans do), we should have lower murder rates. This is not the case: “[T]he U.S. is the only prosperous democracy that retains high homicide rates, making it a strong outlier in this regard.” We’re not the only one, either: “Similarly, theistic Portugal also has rates of homicides well above the secular developed democracy norm.”

High religiosity doesn’t help our kids much either, we have far more school shootings and the same teen suicide rates as the other Western democracies. How about violent crime? The story is a little bit better here: “Other prosperous democracies do not significantly exceed the U.S. in rates of nonviolent and in non-lethal violent crime, and are often lower in this regard.” Well, that’s some good news. Kind of.

How do we fare with teenage pregnancy? After all, every religion I know of preaches abstinence until marriage, so shouldn’t religion decrease teenage pregnancy? Well, no: “Early adolescent pregnancy and birth have dropped in the developed democracies… but rates are two to dozens of times higher in the U.S. where the decline has been more modest.” As you would expect with this data, we also have poor STD rates: “[R]ates of adolescent gonorrhea infection remain six to three hundred times higher in the U.S. than in less theistic, pro-evolution secular developed democracies... The U.S. also suffers from uniquely high adolescent and adult syphilis infection rates.”

But surely we get less abortions. We have the largest percentage of people who believe in God, and quite a large number of (generally religious) pro-lifers, so we must kill less babies? Right? Again, no: “Increasing adolescent abortion rates show positive correlation with increasing belief and worship of a creator, and negative correlation with increasing non-theism and acceptance of evolution.”

It’s pretty clear that high religiosity doesn’t help out our society very much. But that’s not the end of it, we even tend to die sooner than other democracies: “Life spans tend to decrease as rates of religiosity rise, especially as a function of absolute belief.”

To sum up:

In general, higher rates of belief in and worship of a creator correlate with higher rates of homicide, juvenile and early adult mortality, STD infection rates, teen pregnancy, and abortion in the prosperous democracies... The United States is almost always the most dysfunctional of the developed democracies, sometimes spectacularly so, and almost always scores poorly. The view of the U.S. as a “shining city on the hill” to the rest of the world is falsified when it comes to basic measures of societal health.
[…]
Although they are by no means utopias, the populations of secular democracies are clearly able to govern themselves and maintain societal cohesion. Indeed, the data examined in this study demonstrates that only the more secular, pro-evolution democracies have, for the first time in history, come closest to achieving practical “cultures of life” that feature low rates of lethal crime, juvenile-adult mortality, sex related dysfunction, and even abortion. The least theistic secular developed democracies such as Japan, France, and Scandinavia have been most successful in these regards.

Because I’m pretty sure that some people will protest, I want to point out a few things. First, I don’t think religious people are bad, and this study does not make that claim. Second, I’m not saying that religion makes society bad. As I’ve said before, correlation does not mean causation. It could very well be that there is something else underlying this trend; the US is different enough from Europe where that’s entirely possible. However, it would be very, very difficult for the claim that religion makes societies better to be true. As Mr. Paul says:

The non-religious, pro-evolution democracies contradict the dictum that a society cannot enjoy good conditions unless most citizens ardently believe in a moral creator. The widely held fear that a Godless citizenry must experience societal disaster is therefore refuted. Contradicting these conclusions requires demonstrating a positive link between theism and societal conditions in the first world with a similarly large body of data - a doubtful possibility in view of the observable trends.

Also, don’t write this off as only one study, especially without looking through his references (which I deleted from the quotes, there were quite a few). Even dismissing this one, I’ve read others (such as one here, although it’s a bit buried), and I’ve seen a good portion of the data. It would be almost impossible for religion to make society as a whole better given the fact that secular Europe beats us in every measure of societal health. However, I doubt that anyone who has made this claim will be influenced by studies like this one. Which is unfortunate, because the sooner we move past the ridiculous claim that more religion is what we need, we might actually be able to work on improving our society. I’m not holding my breath.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 10:38:00 -0700

CEREBRAL MALARIA

What is cerebral malaria?
Cerebral malaria (CM) collectively involves the clinical manifestations of Plasmodium falciparum malaria that induce changes in mental status and coma. It is an acute, widespread disease of the brain which is accompanied by fever. The mortality ratio is between 25-50%. If a person is not treated, CM is fatal in 24-72 hours. The histopathological hallmark of this encephalopathy is the sequestration of cerebral capillaries and venules with parasitized red blood cells (PRBCs) and non-PRBCs (NPRBCs). Ring-like lesions in the brain are major characteristics. Disease risk factors include being a child under 10 years of age and living in malaria-endemic area.
There is a clear need for a strict definition of cerebral malaria in order to properly diagnose and assess the condition. A pragmatic definition based on the Glasgow Coma Score exists. Its key elements are: (1) unrousable coma--no localizing response to pain persisting for more than six hours if the patient has experienced a generalized convulsion; (2) asexual forms of P. falciparum found in blood; and (3) exclusion of other causes of encephalopathy, i.e. viral or bacterial. (Newton and Warrell)
The Blantyre Coma Scale, a related diagnostic tool, has been devised for young children.

What are the symptoms?
Clinical manifestations of cerebral malaria are numerous, but there are three primary symptoms generally common to both adults and children: (1) impaired consciousness with non-specific fever; (2) generalized convulsions and neurological sequelae; and (3) coma that persists for 24-72 hours, initially rousable and then unrousable.
What is the cause?

The cause of cerebral malaria is not well understood. Currently, there are two major hypotheses explaining its etiology. They are the mechanical and the humoral hypotheses.
The mechanical hypothesis asserts that a specific interaction between a P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein (PfEMP-1) and ligands on endothelial cells, such as ICAM-1 or E-selectin, reduces microvascular blood flow and induces hypoxia. This selective cytoadherence of PRBCs and non-PRBCs, also known as rosetting, can apparently better account for CM’s histopathological hallmark and its characteristic coma condition. However, this hypothesis is inadequate in explaining the relative absence of neurological deficit even after days of unconsciousness.
The humoral hypothesis suggests that a malarial toxin may be released that stimulates macrophages to release TNF- and other cytokines such as IL-1. The cytokines themselves are not harmful, but they may induce additional and uncontrolled production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide would diffuse through the blood-brain barrier and impose similar changes on synaptic function as do general anesthetics and high concentrations of ethanol, leading to a state of reduced consciousness. The biochemical nature of this interaction would explain the reversibility of coma.
What are possible treatment options?

As cerebral malaria is the fatal within days of malaria infection if left untreated, immediate treatment is crucial. Because natural immunity to malaria is not fully understood (Immunity) and thus cannot yet be artificially imitated by drugs, control and prevention strategies are significant. Two of these are antimalarial chemotherapy and adjunctive measures. Public health interventions are also critical (Public Health).
P. falciparum parasites in brain capillary (J.S. Tatz)
• Chemotherapy for cerebral malaria now primarily involves the use of quinine, for a patient with severe CM must be assumed to have chloroquine resistance. It is one of the four main alkaloids found in the bark of the Cinchona tree and is the only drug which over a long period of time has remained largely effective for treating the disease. Quinine has similar activity to chloroquine in that it is likely to interfere with the parasite’s enzymatic digestion.
• Artemisinins have been shown in some clinical trials to clear parasitemia and fever faster than quinine or chloroquine, but they had no effect on mortality rates. Artemisinin has been used by the Chinese as a traditional treatment for fever and malaria. It is a sesquiterpene lactone derived from Artemisia annua. The two most widely used are artesunate and artemether. Because it is both cheap and effective, it is beginning to be included in treatment schedules. However, it is not yet licensed for use in Australia, North America or Europe. Its main value is in the treatment of multi-drug resistant falciparum malaria. As the possibility of quinine resistance looms, artemisinin and its derivatives may soon become the drugs of choice for CM treatment (Newton and Warrell).
• Adjunctive measures for CM treatment exist, but they are debatable in both use and efficacy:
Anti-pyretics Such as paracetamol to reduce fever. However, it is not clear if a reduction in core temperature benefits cerebral consequences.
Anti-convulsants Such as phenobarbital sodium for seizures. It is crucial to control or prevent seizures, as they can cause neuronal damage and are associated with a fatal outcome.
Reduce intracranial pressure Using agents such as osmotic diuretics.
Hypoglycemia correction Using hypertonic glucose. However, theoretically, correcting hypoclycemia in the presence of tissue hypoxia can worsen tissue acidosis.
Exchange transfusion Generally only been justified when peripheral parasitemia exceeds 10% of circulating erythrocytes. The role of these blood transfusions remains highly controversial, as they are both expensive and potentially dangerous in many malaria-endemic areas.
Anti-Inflammatories Such as corticosteroids. However, there have been few controlled studies demonstrating benefit.
Desferrioxamine An iron-chelating adjuvant agent with antimalarial properties. Reduces formation of reactive oxygen species by reducing amount of free iron.
Microcirculatory Flow
Such as pentoxifylline. Reduces red cell deformability and blood viscosity, decreases systemic vascular resistance, and impairs platelet aggregation, thus improving microcirculatory flow.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 10:27:00 -0700

Should ‘Polygamous’ marriages be abolished?
Published October 4, 2009
Having a wife and entertaining a concubine or a mistress elsewhere is the modern type of polygamy. What benefits does polygamy bring to a nation, a society or individual? Nothing. Eliminate it then, writes AMOR NAMUOTO.
In Kenya, marriage hitherto viewed as an achievement, or a form of social graduation, is currently changing into a necessity catapulted by hard economic times and changing lifestyles, especially in cities.
Having a wife and a concubine or a mistress, is the modern type of polygamy. Although many of these mistresses, or ‘other wives’ come to light when a man dies; they all perform the duties of a wife.
In the United States, citizens have the right to engage in any kind of sexual relationship, with any number of partners as long as it is consensual. Consent in this case is not well-defined (same sex individuals can also consent to be intimates). In addition, consensual can be momentary (a.k.a. booty call), or long lasting (a.k.a. cohabitation). With this kind of setup, it is possible for any person, American or not, to legally sire several children outside marriage with different partners.
Whereas many religious practices around the world die hard, the choice between being a polygamist (being legally married to many women), bigamist (criminal offence of marrying one person while still legally married to another), or polyandrous (being married to more than one husband at a time), is very flexible. One does not need to rely on his or her family ethics to make that choice.
We need to repackage our marriage laws to accommodate current social and cultural differences, so that we can put new definitions to the limits and morals in marriage. However, the choice in some African and Asian cultures leans on social status of the individual and the economic capability. That to me sounds like a lifestyle.
Polygamy in the US
I called my friend in California and asked if she thought polygamy in the US is a premeditated crime, or a legitimate religious or cultural practice. “Currently, as an American,” she explained, “I can have multiple husbands, so long as they are consecutive, not concurrent. If I were to legally marry two men right now, I would immediately become the matron of California state prison for at least five years.”
“Mmh” I sighed inaudibly. “Then come to Kenya…. When it comes to marriages, the society is very tolerant.” “I don’t mean that polygamy isn’t happening in the US, but many times it is viewed as a speck in our civilization,” she went on. “It is more complicated than it seems. Some decisions made by states across this nation, enforcing laws criminalizing lifestyles such as polygamy may make it look as if the practice is criminal in nature. Yet the constitution allows us the right to engage in various arrangements without government’s intervention,” she explained.
“But that’s good,” I interjected. “I mean, it is for the benefit of the society.” “Yeah, I agree,” she said. “I think that is why polygamy and polyandry are criminal offences.”
What does religion say about polygamy?
Polygamy is a hot issue among Christians, Jews, Muslims and Mormons. The book of Deuteronomy in the bible speaks about polygamy and division of property. Abraham, David and Solomon were polygamists. Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, but he was still favored by God. Mohammed had 10 wives, though the Koran limits multiple wives to only four.
Polygamy is still practiced among the Jews. Again, in the US alone, we currently have more than 50,000 polygamists. In countries such as Tibet, like in some cultures around the world, polyandry is still accepted. It is hard to accept this, but such practices sometimes satisfy human weaknesses.
Is polygamy a crime?
In a discussion on Fox News on July 24, 2008, the panelists claimed that polygamy is “lawless” and “a form of organized crime,” which demands national attention and federal action. During the show, Senator Harry Reid claimed that some of the crimes polygamists commit are bigamy, child abuse, forced marriage of teens, and pre-teens to older men, welfare fraud, tax evasion and other “strong-arm tactics” such as witness intimidation.
So, why is polygamy a crime?
Because we struggle to keep our societies sane, by making laws that challenge man’s weaknesses. Both sexes are at fault because we allow these practices and assume they are cultural. Legalizing such marriages hurts our morality.
The fear of polygamy in marriages
Several women residing in Nairobi today prefer to remain single because they do not want to commit to relationships that will later turn abusive or polygamous. As you would imagine, women prefer undivided attention from their husbands. Kenyan women are no exception. Many of them dislike the idea of their husbands entertaining secret concubines across the city, which is the new form of polygamy in Kenya.
Men cite various reasons for engaging in such habits including the need for more sex (for lack of adequate sex in their relationships) and misplaced anger (being angry with the wife, and rather than deal with the problem, he engages in an affair to make her pay).
But the men can’t hide such clandestine affairs for long and at some point the legal woman finds out. Interestingly, very few of such revelations usually lead to separation or divorce.
In most cases, the other woman is usually someone who knows the family and understands the legal woman’s weaknesses. Therefore, she simply fills in the gap, and finds solace that she gets all she wants from the man, and remains away from the legal woman’s radar.
Many women are now privy to methods of identifying cheating husbands. For example, many of them have joined Facebook and other social networks web sites using unique names and tricked their husbands into a relationship, to determine whether they would cheat on them or not.
Men cheat left, right and center. It is almost a curse from creation. Few are able to deal with lust outside their marriages. Many are trapped by passion and dreams for new pastures. Women know about these and fear that if unchecked, their marriages could turn polygamous, and secretly pass unnoticed.
Why polygamy should be eliminated
Polygamous marriages shouldn’t be allowed in this century plagued by several problems. First, it negates the Biblical sense of marriage (between one man and one spouse). Whereas the Bible allows a young woman to remarry, it is very specific and only allows remarriage if the woman is widowed at a young age, and not when she needs a booty call.
Second, women are attention seekers, and love cannot be split equally between two or more wives. It creates jealousy, family feuds and separation, which increases the number of single parenthood cases.
Third, one lives a lie. A man knows where his love is, but simply sleeps with a concubine or mistress with a self-given title of wife. This could explain why my former desk mate still insists on allowing polygamy. I wish he were a woman!
Fourth, AIDS continues to claim the lives of many young men and women today and promiscuity is the main ingredient.
Fifth, many young people are now educated, and know that irresponsibility, leading to children out of wedlock has bred street children. What are women supposed to do when the law doesn’t protect them against unscrupulous men? What about the children?
Sixth, a society that tolerates forced marriages also tolerates emotional suffering among women. Such situations occur when a married rich old man eyes a very young lady; and with the parents eyeing the economic blessings that come from such, they are oblivious of the suffering they afflict. They marry their daughters off as second or third wives to some rich old men, and forget that she could be widowed and begin the vicious circle of problems.
So, what benefits does polygamy bring to a nation, a society or individual? Nothing! Eliminate it then.

CABLE NEWS NETWORK

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 06:20:00 -0800

My Wish For You

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 08:53:00 -0800

My Wish For You

As we take time off, to celebrate Christmas and the Holiday Season, I want to wish you peace, love and hope - now and throughout the New Year.

MERRY XMAS AND THOUGHTS FOR THE NEXT YEAR

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:41:00 -0800

Do You Know That?

God wil giv u foresight to c al dat he has packaged for u in d comin year in order 4u to reach ur canaan. (Amen) Wat u cannot tolerate is as a result of wat u do not understan. Those who understand success tolerate hardship.if u dont c any reason to succeed, u may not c d need to persist. When you connot solve a problem, ask God for the wisdom to manage it. There is always a way of escape. U cannot solve problem u do not understan; neither can u master a woman u do not love. People who are tied to their past can never turn their scars to stars. Learn 4rm ur part and move on. Dont try to belive wat u dont understand but rather seek to understan everythin u believe. Pple perish 4lack of understanding. Dont look for pple who wil approv u but look 4 thos dat wil criticize u, for this brings out d best in u. Wat u have achieved so far is less than half of wat u can really accomplish. Until u launch out, u wil not kno how much u can do. Those who are not ready
to lose are obviously not ready to win. God gives a second chance. U wil neva c a good she of problem until u come out of it, neva stop until u overcomes. There is more to it than d pains u feel. It only a man who hates growth dat avoid problems and challenges.IT IS MORE RISKY NOT TO TAKE RISK AT ALL,SO TAKE RISKY 4 GOD WIL SURELY HELP. Bread and water is not wat u need to survive, wat u need is d secret to get wealth. GOD IS THE SECRET. Enjoy ur xmas with more years of fulfilment of Gods promises.

Do you Further Realize That?

There are people who can walk away from you.

And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk. I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone.

When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left.

The bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19]

People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay.

Let them go.

And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead. You've got to know when it's dead.

You've got to know when it's over. Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye.. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay.

Let them go!!

If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to......

LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to past hurts and pains ......

LET IT GO!!!

If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth.....

LET IT GO!!!

If someone has angered you.

LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge.....

LET IT GO!!!

If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction... .

LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents

LET IT GO!!!

If you! u have a bad attitude.... ...

LET IT GO!!!

If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better......

LET IT GO!!!

If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him........

LET IT GO!!!

If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship. ...

LET IT GO!!!

If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves.. ..

LET IT GO!!!

If you're feeling depressed and stressed ...........

LET IT GO!!!

If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying 'take your hands off of it,' then you need to......

LET IT GO!!!

'The Battle is the Lord's!'

During the next 60 seconds, Stop whatever you are doing, and take this opportunity.

(Literally it is only ONE minute!)

All you have to do is the following:

You simply say 'The Lords Prayer' for the person that sent you this message:

The Lords Prayer

Our Father, who are in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, forever.

Amen.

Next, send this message to everyone you know. In a while, more people will have prayed for you and you would have obtained a lot of people praying for others!

Next, stop and think and appreciate God's power in your life, for doing what you know is pleasing to Him.

If you are not ashamed to do this, follow the instructions!

Jesus said, If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before My Father'

If you are not ashamed, send this message... only if you believe.

'Yes, I love my God. He is my fountain of Life and My Savior.

He Keeps me going day and night. Without Him, I am no one. But with Him, I can do everything, Christ is my strength.' This is a simple test.

If you love God and you are not ashamed of all the great things that He has done for you, send this to everyone you know, and the person that sent it to you!

God loves you and watches over you everyday