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2012-06-11T05:16:00.001-07:00

World Thalassemia Day - 8th May, 2012

2012-05-04T06:18:00.001-07:00

Save the Children

8th May, 2012 is a World Thalassemia Day

What is Thalassemia:

Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder in which children cannot make enough Red Blood Cells and needs to be supplemented with RBC transfusions every 2-3 weeks to stay healthy and to survive.

What do we know about heredity and thalassemia?

Thalassemia is actually a group of inherited diseases of the blood that affect a person's ability to produce hemoglobin, resulting in anemia. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen and nutrients to cells in the body. About 100,000 babies worldwide are born with severe forms of thalassemia each year. Thalassemia occurs most frequently in people of Italian, Greek, Middle Eastern, Southern Asian and African Ancestry.

The two main types of thalassemia are called "alpha" and "beta," depending on which part of an oxygen-carrying protein in the red blood cells is lacking. Both types of thalassemia are inherited in the same manner. The disease is passed to children by parents who carry the mutated thalassemia gene. A child who inherits one mutated gene is a carrier, which is sometimes called "thalassemia trait." Most carriers lead completely normal, healthy lives.

A child who inherits two thalassemia trait genes - one from each parent - will have the disease. A child of two carriers has a 25 percent chance of receiving two trait genes and developing the disease, and a 50 percent chance of being a thalassemia trait carrier.

Most individuals with alpha thalassemia have milder forms of the disease, with varying degrees of anemia. The most severe form of alpha thalassemia, which affects mainly individuals of Southeast Asian, Chinese and Filipino ancestry, results in fetal or newborn death.

A child who inherits two copies of the mutated gene for beta thalassemia will have beta thalassemia disease. The child can have a mild form of the disease, known as thalassemia intermedia, which causes milder anemia that rarely requires transfusions.

Thalassemia is a genetic disease. This means that:

Is there a test for thalassemia?

Blood tests and family genetic studies can show whether an individual has thalassemia or is a carrier. If both parents are carriers, they may want to consult with a genetic counselor for help in deciding whether to conceive or whether to have a fetus tested for thalassemia.

Prenatal testing can be done around the 11th week of pregnancy using chorionic villi sampling (CVS). This involves removing a tiny piece of the placenta. Or, the fetus can be tested with amniocentesis around the 16th week of pregnancy. In this procedure, a needle is used to take a sample of the fluid surrounding the baby for testing.

Assisted reproductive therapy is also an option for carriers who don't want to risk giving birth to a child with thalassemia. A new technique, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), used in conjunction with in vitro fertilization, may enable parents who have thalassemia or carry the trait to give birth to healthy babies. Embryos created in-vitro are tested for the thalassemia gene before being implanted into the mother, allowing only healthy embryos to be selected.

Focus:

To help children, we must donate our valuable blood regularly (three months gap must be there).

8th of May every year, World Thalassemia Day is celebrated. So, let’s start the good cause of donating Blood on this day.

Source: http://sunilpatelahmedabad.blogspot.in/

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Thanks with Regards,

Sunil Patel
Ahmedabad

How To Conserve Water

2012-02-24T03:37:00.000-08:00

“ Save Water, it will save you and your descendants in Future ”

1. Do not waste Water unnecessary.

2. Close tap tightly.

3. Check your plumbing for Leaks, especially in Bathrooms and Toilets.

4. Take shorter showers.

5. Do less Laundry.

6. Use waste water or gray water from the bath, washing machines or dish washing on the garden.

7. Upgrade to a low-flush toilet.

8. Don’t flush every time.

9. Use Rainy waters for your garden in rainy season.

10. Water the garden and lawn at night.

11. Wash the car on the lawn.

IF YOU LIKE THIS POST THEN, PLEASE ADD YOUR NAME IN FOLLOWERS LIST AND KEEP WATCHING REGULARLY THIS POST AND POST ANY COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG.

Thanks with Regards,

Sunil Patel

Ahmedabad

Go Green:-----> Save Trees , Save Environment , Save Nature , Save Water , Save The Earth

2011-06-21T21:29:00.000-07:00

We will plant and maintain atleast Two TREES on every year on our Birth Days and will inspire everybody.

1. Save energy to save money

2. Save water to save money

3. Less gas = more money (and better health!).

4. Skip the bottled water

5. Grow/Plant more and more TREES…..

6. Use Recycle Products

7. Encourage to your friends / colleagues / neighbours to grow TREES near their Living Areas.

8. Think before you print or photocopy! Print and copy as little as possible.

9. Use e-mail to minimize paper use.

10. Use natural lighting instead of electric lighting whenever possible.

11. Minimize use of screen savers and instead enable power management features

12. Purchase only energy-efficient products

13. Park your car in the shade. Gas evaporates from your fuel tank more quickly when you park in the sun. Parking in the shade lowers the temperature in your gas tank by up to 7 degrees, significantly reducing fuel evaporation.

14. Reuse envelopes by placing a new label over the old address.

15. Reuse plastic bags or better get a reusable canvas bags…..

"Every person is the right person to act. Every moment is the right moment to begin". THE Time to Act is Now!"

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Thanks with Regards,

Sunil Patel
Ahmedabad

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World Blood Donor Day - 14th June, 2011

2011-06-13T23:13:00.000-07:00

On 14 June 2011, countries worldwide will celebrate World Blood Donor Day with events to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood.

The theme for World Blood Donor Day 2011 is, "More Blood. More Life."

This theme reinforces the urgent need for more people all over the world to become life-savers by volunteering to donate blood regularly.

"Blood Saves Lives. Donate Blood Starts With Me"
"Help to Thalassemia Children"

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Sunil Patel
Ahmedabad

Priyanka Chopra and Rahul Bose are to compete on the World Environment Day June 5, 2011

2011-06-04T03:24:00.000-07:00

Bollywood actors Priyanka Chopra and Rahul Bose are to compete on the World Environment Day June 5, 2011 to motivate people to do their bit to save the mother earth.

The Bollywood stars are facing off in a new video for the ultimate Environment Day Challenge - where they are calling individuals, groups, families and schools, even entire communities - to post details of their green activities online at www.wedchallenge.org/india.

"And for Priyanka Chopra and Rahul Bose, this is where the battle lines get drawn. When registering a green activity on the site, people will have the opportunity to pledge their activity to either one celebrity or the other," said a statement issued by UN here.

Priyanka Chopra has pledged to plant a tree for every green activity registered in her name while Rahul has pledged to plant two.

"Whether it's switching from plastic bags to cloth bags, car-pooling with colleagues or organising a tree-planting day, green activities can be big, small, local, international, noisy, quiet ... just as long as they're green," it said.

India for the first time is the global host of United Nations Environment Day this year.

UNEP ( United Nations Environment Programme) has given the theme "Forests: Nature at Your Service" in alignment with the UN International Year of Forests, 2011. The theme celebrates the multitude of services - providing clean air, housing rich biodiversity, supplying water - performed by the world's forests.

In the run-up to June 5, the environment ministry has also planned a group of activities, including "Green Walkathon", in partnership with the Delhi government at India Gate.

The other significant feature will be organisation of "Green Haat", involving about 52 partners to showcase initiatives, of forest dwellers, minor forest produce federations of various states, women self-help groups, NGO partners, highlighting the value added forest products at Dilli Haat between June 1-5.

Videocon d2h #IIFA Weekend and Floriana #IIFA Awards is proud to be associated with @UNEPandYou in celebrating World Environment Day-June 5.
Biodiversity film festival for disadvantaged children, general public, prisoners, and Air Force officials will be organised in partnership with Centre for Media Studies (CMS) in the capital from June 1-4 at National Science Centre, PVR's Cinemas, Tihar Jail and Subroto Park to raise awareness about environmental issues through films from eminent national and international filmmakers.

Save The Earth , Save Trees , Save The Environment , Save Water

Grow Trees more and more..... And try to save our environment by contributing yourself and inspire to your loving ones.

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Thanks with Regards,

Sunil Patel
Ahmedabad

World Environment Day on 5th June, 2011 (11th Anniversary)

2011-06-01T05:19:00.000-07:00

World Environment Day on 5th June, 2011
(11th Anniversary)

I will plant and maintain atleast Two TREES during my life and will inspire everybody.

Grow Trees more and more.....

India to host World Environment Day 2011 (05 June, 2011)

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has named India, for the first time, as the global host of World Environment Day 2011 (WED) on June 5, for "embracing the process of a transition to a Green Economy." This year's theme 'Forests: Nature at Your Service', underscores the intrinsic link between quality of life and the health of forests and forest ecosystems. The WED theme also supports this year's UN International Year of Forests.

Two of India's most prominent cities - Mumbai and Delhi - will be the venue for this year's global celebration of the environment, with a myriad of activities over several days to inspire Indians and people around the world to take action for the environment.
The celebrations in India June 5 are part of thousands of events taking place around the globe.

Save The Earth , Save Trees , Save The Environment , Save Water

Grow Trees more and more..... And try to save our environment by contributing yourself and inspire to your loving ones.

IF YOU LIKE THIS POST THEN, PLEASE ADD YOUR NAME IN FOLLOWERS LIST AND KEEP WATCHING REGULARLY THIS POST AND POST ANY COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG.

Thanks with Regards,

Sunil Patel
Ahmedabad

How To Control Air Pollution

2011-05-28T03:29:00.000-07:00

Air Pollution Control

Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or damages the natural Environment into the Atmosphere.
Air pollution comes from many different sources such as factories, power plants, dry cleaners, cars, buses, two wheelers, trucks and even windblown dust and wildfires.

Air pollution can threaten the health of human beings, trees, lakes, crops, and animals, as well as damage the Ozone Layer and buildings. Air pollution also can cause haze, reducing visibility in national parks and wilderness areas.

Tips how to control air pollution

[Control Air Pollution]

There are various air pollution control technologies and land use planning strategies available to reduce air pollution. At its most basic level land use planning is likely to involve zoning and transport infrastructure planning. In most developed countries, land use planning is an important part of social policy, ensuring that land is used efficiently for the benefit of the wider economy and population as well as to protect the environment.

Efforts to reduce pollution from mobile sources includes primary regulation (many developing countries have permissive regulations), [citation needed] expanding regulation to new sources (such as cruise and transport ships, farm equipment, and small gas-powered equipment such as lawn trimmers, chainsaws, and snowmobiles), increased fuel efficiency (such as through the use of hybrid vehicles), conversion to cleaner fuels (such as bioethanol, biodiesel, or conversion to electric vehicles).
The following items are commonly used as pollution control devices by industry or transportation devices. They can either destroy contaminants or remove them from an exhaust stream before it is emitted into the atmosphere.

• Mechanical collectors (dust cyclones, multicyclones)
• Switch to biofuel
• See the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Acid Rain Program
• Trade allowances on Clean Air Markets
• Use Clean Air Technology

Home Energy Audits: With home energy costs ever increasing, fall is a good time to plan for your home heating fuel use for the upcoming heating season. One of the best ways to consider the heating needs for your household is to have a home energy audit.

Energy Vampires: Do you have Energy Vampires in your home? Many appliances are silently sucking energy, even when they are turned “off.” These include instant-on appliances such as TVs, VCR and DVD players, and the adapters for rechargeable battery-powered phones, cell phones, power tools, and other electronic devices.

Energy-Saving LED Holiday Lights: While you’re shopping for holiday decorations, here’s a smart purchase that may light up your heart and lighten your financial load. The new LED (light emitting diode) holiday lights use 99% less energy than the old incandescent lights.

Washer & Dryer Tips: Small changes can add up to big savings on our utility bills. You may know it’s best to wash full loads of clothes, but if those full loads include both light and heavyweight items, such as synthetic shirts and heavy towels in the same load, the shirts may be drying 2-3 times longer than necessary. Consider washing and drying lightweight items together, with heavy items in a different load. If you have the space and time, line-dry the heavy jeans and towels to reduce energy use and help humidify your home in winter. It’s a simple way for us all to breathe easier.

What Price, That Old Refrigerator: How many of us have an old refrigerator in the garage or basement that we only use for soft drinks? The older the refrigerator, the more energy it uses, so you may be paying $6 to $10 every month, or up to $120 a year just to chill drinks. Unplugging the old fridge saves a lot of cold cash. If you entertain often and need the extra space, consider investing in a more efficient EnergyStar refrigerator. You’ll save money and help us all breathe easier.

3-5% Rule: We know that natural gas and other fuel prices will be going up for a couple of years, so prepare to economize more or spend more. One important thing to know about the temperature setting for your thermostat: For every degree you turn your thermostat down in winter—and up in summer—you will save 3% to 5% of the heating/cooling portion of your utility bill. If the heating/cooling portion of your bill is $100 and you turn your thermostat down 2 degrees (up 2 degrees in summer), you will save $6 to $10. That is a good saving for a twist of the wrist! It’s also a good savings that helps to clean the air.

Using a fan makes your air-conditioned air feel 7 degrees cooler. Use ceiling, table, or floor fans along with air conditioning, while setting your thermostat for $$ savings. For every degree you turn your thermostat up in summer you save 3%-5% of your cooling bill.

A programmable thermostat will help you save money by automatically adjusting your thermostat when you are away from home or when you are asleep, and re-adjusting to comfort level when you get up in the morning or arrive home from work. Natural gas, oil, and propane furnaces recover more quickly from a setback than an electric heat pump, so find out your optimum setback from your furnace repair company. While you’re at it, schedule a furnace check-up. A properly tuned furnace will save money and last longer. Don’t forget to change the filters monthly, or as recommended, so the furnace does not have to work as hard. Not only do these things save $$. They all add up to cleaner air.

Light Up Your Life: Did you know that cleaning your light fixtures and bulbs regularly can save money and increase the light from the bulbs? Also, if you position floor lamps so they reflect light off two walls instead of one and use local light over a work area, rather than lighting an entire room, you will save energy. Consider occupancy sensors for rooms where too many people forget to turn off lights; they will automatically turn off lights when the last person leaves.

Cool Cooking: Keep your house cooler during hot weather by relying on cold foods and cooking a lot with the microwave. No flames or burners to heat up your kitchen. You’ll save energy, money, and the Air!
Scrub Hot Water Costs: Hot water is one of the largest energy expenses in your home, especially if you have teenagers in the home. A standard showerhead uses about five to seven gallons of water per minute. Low-flow showerheads reduce water use by 50 percent or more, saving two ways: save water and save energy. You’ll save money and help keep the air clean.

Telecommuting: Access to the Internet has changed everything. Ask your employer if you can work from home sometimes. You'll save time and money, and reduce emissions and traffic congestion.

Care for your car: Regular maintenance and tune-ups, changing the oil and checking tire inflation can improve gas mileage, extend your car's life and increase its resale value. It also reduces traffic congestion due to preventable breakdowns and it could reduce your car's emissions by more than half.

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Thanks with Regards,

Sunil Patel
Ahmedabad

2011-05-21T02:21:00.001-07:00

“ Save Water, it will save you and your descendants in Future ”

1. Do not waste Water unnecessary.

2. Close tap tightly.

3. Check your plumbing for Leaks, especially in Bathrooms and Toilets.

4. Take shorter showers.

5. Do less Laundry.

6. Use waste water or gray water from the bath, washing machines or dish washing on the garden.

7. Upgrade to a low-flush toilet.

8. Don’t flush every time.

9. Use Rainy waters for your garden in rainy season.

10. Water the garden and lawn at night.

11. Wash the car on the lawn.

IF YOU LIKE THIS POST THEN, PLEASE ADD YOUR NAME IN FOLLOWERS LIST AND KEEP WATCHING REGULARLY THIS POST AND POST ANY COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG.

Thanks with Regards,

Sunil Patel
Ahmedabad

2011-05-19T05:25:00.000-07:00

19 Simple Things You Can Do to “Save the Earth”

1. TURN OFF THE LIGHTS.
Even if you're only going out of the room for a few minutes. Those kilowatts add up.

2. UNPLUG APPLIANCES WHEN NOT IN USE.
Some of them, with their complicated timers and instant start-up features, constantly consume small amounts of electricity. ("Even the TV?" )

3. USE LESS WATER.
We have two bricks in our toilet tank. But there's a much simpler way to save water: Don't flush every time!

4. DRIVE SLOWER.
I try to maintain a nice, steady 40 miles per hour, the legal minimum on most highways. Also, I roll up the windows. It reduces wind resistance -- and noise.

5. SHOP WITH A RE-USABLE SHOPPING BAG.
And, if you can, walk to the store. ("It'll do wonders for your figure," I mention casually to the missus.)

6. BOYCOTT!
Boycott polluters, or anyone who sells any product that can cause pollution, or any product that might contain an ingredient that can cause pollution.

7. DO YOUR LAUNDRY BY HAND.
It may be drudgery of the lowest order to have to hand-launder your clothes and hang them on a clothesline, but it saves water and energy.

8. TURN DOWN THE HEAT.
Especially the water heater.

9. GO SOLAR.
For a small investment of about ten thousand dollars you can convert your house to solar energy. It'll pay for itself in twenty years, I estimate.

10. WORK AT HOME.
Recently, I quit my job of twenty years to become a full-time writer. I write at home, on a computer. I'm not using up any gasoline or motor oil, I'm not wearing out any clothing or shoes. To put it simply: I'm not a drain on the environment.

11. BOARD UP THE WINDOWS.
Windows are nice, but they either let in too much heat, or let out too much, or vice versa.

12. GET RID OF THE TELEPHONE.
Think you can't live without a telephone? Think again. We've done fine

13. GET RID OF THE BED.
Many leading chiropractors say that sleeping on the floor, with no mattress or cushion, is the best way to sleep.

14. GET OUT AND ORGANIZE.
I got out of the house and into the community—to organize. Now I work with a diverse group of community activists and we meet four times a week—at our house.

15. BAN ALL CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS.
Not just spray cans, but the refrigerator and the air conditioner. Get rid of them!
We now have ice delivered to our house every day.

16. BUNDLE AND RECYCLE NEWSPAPERS.
Take all your old newspapers, bundle them together, and bring them to a recycling center. They'll give you a few bucks, which is nothing to sneeze at.

17. DONATE OLD CLOTHING.
There are people out there who can get some good use out of your old moth-eaten sweater or sports jacket or worn-out pair of shoes.

18. RECYCLE! REVIVE! RERUN!
People are separating their garbage. They're using biodegradable, ecologically safe, recyclable and reusable materials. Everything old is new again!

19. SHARE THIS BLOG.
I want this Blog to be passed on to those with limited resources. (And limited imaginations! Have you seen any of these other "x-number-of-things-you-can-do-to-save-the-earth" BLOGS? Talk about writing in your sleep.

IF YOU LIKE THIS POST THEN, PLEASE ADD YOUR NAME IN FOLLOWERS LIST AND KEEP WATCHING REGULARLY THIS POST AND POST ANY COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG.

Thanks with Regards,

Sunil Patel
Ahmedabad

Top 10 Reasons Why Trees Are Valuable and Important

2011-05-09T02:22:00.000-07:00

Top 10 Reasons Why Trees Are Valuable and Important

Trees are important, valuable and necessary to our very existence. It's not too hard to believe that, without trees we humans would not exist on this beautiful planet. In fact, some claim can be made that our mother's and father's ancestors climbed trees - another debate for another site.
Still, trees are essential to life as we know it and are the ground troops on an environmental frontline. Our existing forest and the trees we plant work in tandem to make a better world.

1. Trees Produce Oxygen

Let's face it, we could not exist as we do if there were no trees. A mature leafy tree produces as much oxygen in a season as 10 people inhale in a year. What many people don't realize is the forest also acts as a giant filter that cleans the air we breath.

2. Trees Clean the Soil

The term phytoremediation is a fancy word for the absorption of dangerous chemicals and other pollutants that have entered the soil. Trees can either store harmful pollutants or actually change the pollutant into less harmful forms. Trees filter sewage and farm chemicals, reduce the effects of animal wastes, clean roadside spills and clean water runoff into streams.

3. Trees Control Noise Pollution

Trees muffle urban noise almost as effectively as stone walls. Trees, planted at strategic points in a neighborhood or around your house, can abate major noises from freeways and airports.

4. Trees Slow Storm Water Runoff

Flash flooding can be dramatically reduced by a forest or by planting trees. One Colorado blue spruce, either planted or growing wild, can intercept more than 1000 gallons of water annually when fully grown. Underground water-holding aquifers are recharged with this slowing down of water runoff.

5. Trees Are Carbon Sinks

To produce its food, a tree absorbs and locks away carbon dioxide in the wood, roots and leaves. Carbon dioxide is a global warming suspect. A forest is a carbon storage area or a "sink" that can lock up as much carbon as it produces. This locking-up process "stores" carbon as wood and not as an available "greenhouse" gas.

6. Trees Clean the Air

Trees help cleanse the air by intercepting airborne particles, reducing heat, and absorbing such pollutants as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Trees remove this air pollution by lowering air temperature, through respiration, and by retaining particulates.

7. Trees Shade and Cool

Shade resulting in cooling is what a tree is best known for. Shade from trees reduces the need for air conditioning in summer. In winter, trees break the force of winter winds, lowering heating costs. Studies have shown that parts of cities without cooling shade from trees can literally be "heat islands" with temperatures as much as 12 degrees Fahrenheit higher than surrounding areas.

8. Trees Act as Windbreaks

During windy and cold seasons, trees located on the windward side act as windbreaks. A windbreak can lower home heating bills up to 30% and have a significant effect on reducing snow drifts. A reduction in wind can also reduce the drying effect on soil and vegetation behind the windbreak and help keep precious topsoil in place.

9. Trees Fight Soil Erosion

Erosion control has always started with tree and grass planting projects. Tree roots bind the soil and their leaves break the force of wind and rain on soil. Trees fight soil erosion, conserve rainwater and reduce water runoff and sediment deposit after storms.

10. Trees Increase Property Values

Real estate values increase when trees beautify a property or neighborhood. Trees can increase the property value of your home by 15% or more.

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Thanks and Regards,

Sunil Patel
Ahmedabad

Help Children - Thalassemia

2011-05-07T01:43:00.000-07:00

8th may, 2011 is a world Thalassemia Day

***** What is Thalassemia *****

Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder in which a patient cannot make enough Red Blood Cells and needs to be supplemented with RBC transfusions every 2-3 weeks to stay healthy and to survive.

Types Of Thalassemia

Alpha Thalassemia
The alpha thalassemia is caused by a decrease in production of alpha globin chains due to a deletion or mutation of one or more of the four alpha globin genes located on chromosome 16. Alpha gene mapping can be obtained to determine the specific mutation. The alpha thalassemia can be generally categorized as:

•Silent Carrier
•Alpha Thalassemia Trait
•Hemoglobin H disease
•Hemoglobin H-Constant Spring
•Alpha Thalassemia major

Alpha Thalassemia trait in a parent is often dicovered after the birth of an effective child.

Beta Thalassemia

•Minor/carrier/trait : They appear perfectly healthy, however where two carriers decide a family there is one in four chance that their child could inherit their carrier genes and develop Beta Thalassemia Major, one in four of a child being normal and 50% chance of the child also being a carrier.

•Thalassemia Intermedia : A clinical expression for a condition between Carrier and Major .They often run a hemoglobin of 7-9 g/dl. They need transfusions only at times as their Hb drops with infection or any stress on the body. Especially during pregnancy or leg ulcers(seen with chronic hemolytic anemias ).

•Thalassemia Major : This condition requires intensive medical care,including 2-3 weekly transfusions and desferrioxamine injections, infused daily,for 8-12 hours at home. Associated with chronic diseases such as diabetes, growth and puberty failure and early menopause and blood transfusion complications such as hepatitis C, hepatitis B and HIV infections. The treatment and management is a financial and psychological burden on the patient and family.

Thalassemia is a genetic disease. This means that :

Testing For ThalassemiaA SIMPLE Blood Test called Hb ELECTOPHORESIS / Hb A2 will tell you whether you are a carrier or have a trait of thalassemia minor.

During Pregnancy there are three ways to test the foetus for thalassemia

status : •CVS - Chorionic Villius Sampling (done in 8-10 weeks of pregnancy)

•Amnicentesis - done in 14-18 weeks of pregnancy

•Fetal blood Testing : Fetal blood from the umbilical cord of the foetus in the womb (done in 18-20 weeks of pregnancy)

•Safety and Accuracy : CVS and Foetal Blood Sampling has a reported miscarriage rate of 1 in 100 tests and Amniocentesis 1 in 200.

Foetal blood Testing : Foetal blood from the umbilical cord of the foetus in the womb (done in 18-20 weeks of pregnancy)

**F A Q's**

Q.1 What should be the Pre -Transfusion Hemoglobin (Hb) ?
A.1. The pre-transfusion Hemoglobin should be maintained between 9-10g/dl .

Q.2 When should the Chelation therapy start ?
A.2. The Iron Chelation should start after 15 Transfusions or when the Serum ferritin levels are 1500-1800ng/ml.

Q.3 Why are Thalassemic children short in height ?
A.3. Thalassemia has nothing to do with short stature. Its only when the the child is poorly chelated and there is iron overload on the endocrine glands, thus disturbing their function.

Q.4 What should the post transfusion Hb levels be ?
A.4. The post transfusion Hb levels should not be more than 15g/dl. Higher levels increase blood viscosity and reduce tissue oxygenation. It also accelerates iron overload.

Q.5 What is the right age to go to an endocrinologist for a regular checkup of the child? Is it necessary if the child visibly appears to be normal ?
A.5. It maybe worthwhile to be in touch with a Paediatric Endocrinologist right from the time of diagnosis. An assessment of growth pattern can be done on a 6 monthly basis. However, most of the endocrinological problems set in with increasing age and high serum ferritin above 4000-5000 ng/dl. Children above 10 years need to be evaluated for thyroid function, hypocalcemia, puberty onset, diabetes and pancreatitis, etc .

Q.6 Is it essential to give folic acid ? If yes, then in what dose ?
A.6. Due to increased red cell destruction and turn over in Thalassemia patients there is increased demand for folic acid and vitamin B -12. Most of this is obtained from the daily dietary requirements. However it is recommended to give folic acid 2.5mg thrice a week, especially in patients who maintain low Hb levels of less than 9.0gm% .

Q.7 What are the regular observations which should be done when the child goes for transfusion ?
A.7. It is advisable to double check the blood bag and the cross matching form for the details of the patients age, sex, name, registration number and most importantly the Blood Group. Blood Transfusion should be stopped if there is any reaction like fever, rash, headache, vomiting, dizziness, nausea etc. Call the attending doctor or nurse for immediate attention .

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Thanks and Regards,

Sunil Patel
Ahmedabad

Save Environment

2011-05-06T02:41:00.000-07:00

*** 140 ways to save the Environment ***

In Your Home – Conserve Energy

1. Clean or replace air filters on your air conditioning unit at least once a month.
2. If you have central air conditioning, do not close vents in unused rooms.
3. Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120.
4. Wrap your water heater in an insulated blanket.
5. Turn down or shut off your water heater when you will be away for extended
periods.
6. Turn off unneeded lights even when leaving a room for a short time.
7. Set your refrigerator temperature at 36 to 38 and your freezer at 0 to 5 .
8. When using an oven, minimize door opening while it is in use; it reduces oven
temperature by 25 to 30 every time you open the door.
9. Clean the lint filter in your dryer after every load so that it uses less energy.
10. Unplug seldom used appliances.
11. Use a microwave when- ever you can instead of a conventional oven or stove.
12. Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot.
13. Reverse your indoor ceiling fans for summer and winter operations as recommended.
14. Turn off lights, computers and other appliances when not in use.
15. Purchase appliances and office equipment with the Energy Star Label; old
refridgerators, for example, use up to 50 more electricity than newer models.
16. Only use electric appliances when you need them.
17. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs to save money and energy.
18. Keep your thermostat at 68 in winter and 78 in summer.
19. Keep your thermostat higher in summer and lower in winter when you are away
20. Insulate your home as best as you can.
21. Install weather stripping around all doors and windows.
22. Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work.
23. Plant trees to shade your home.
24. Shade outside air conditioning units by trees or other means.
25. Replace old windows with energy efficient ones.
26. Use cold water instead of warm or hot water when possible.
27. Connect your outdoor lights to a timer.
28. Buy green electricity – electricity produced by low – or even zero-pollution
facilities (NC Greenpower for North Carolina – www.ncgreenpower.org). In your
home-reduce toxicity.

In Your Home – Reduce Toxicity

29. Eliminate mercury from your home by purchasing items without mercury, and
dispose of items containing mercury at an appropriate drop-off facility when
necessary (e.g. old thermometers).
30. Learn about alternatives to household cleaning items that do not use hazardous
chemicals.
31. Buy the right amount of paint for the job.
32. Review labels of household cleaners you use. Consider alternatives like baking
soda, scouring pads, water or a little more elbow grease.
33. When no good alternatives exist to a toxic item, find the least amount required
for an effective, sanitary result.
34. If you have an older home, have paint in your home tested for lead. If you have
lead-based paint, cover it with wall paper or other material instead of sanding
it or burning it off.
35. Use traps instead of rat and mouse poisons and insect killers.
36. Have your home tested for radon.
37. Use cedar chips or aromatic herbs instead of mothballs.

In Your Yard

38. Avoid using leaf blowers and other dust-producing equipment.
39. Use an electric lawn- mower instead of a gas-powered one.
40. Leave grass clippings on the yard-they decompose and return nutrients to the
soil.
41. Use recycled wood chips as mulch to keep weeds down, retain moisture and prevent
erosion.
42. Use only the required amount of fertilizer.
43. Minimize pesticide use.
44. Create a wildlife habitat in your yard.
45. Water grass early in the morning.
46. Rent or borrow items like ladders, chain saws, party decorations and others that
are seldom used.
47. Take actions that use non hazardous components (e.g., to ward off pests, plant
marigolds in a garden instead of using pesticide).
48. Put leaves in a compost heap instead of burning them or throwing them away. Yard
debris too large for your compost bin should be taken to a yard-debris recycler.

In Your Office

49. Copy and print on both sides of paper.
50. Reuse items like envelopes, folders and paper clips.
51. Use mailer sheets for interoffice mail instead of an envelope.Use mailer sheets for interoffice mail instead of an envelope.
52. Set up a bulletin board for memos instead of sending a copy to each employee.
53. Use e-mail instead of paper correspondence.
54. Use recycled paper.
55. Use discarded paper for scrap paper.
56. Encourage your school and/or company to print documents with soy-based inks,
which are less toxic.
57. Use a ceramic coffee mug instead of a disposable cup.

Ways To Protect Our Air

58. Ask your employer to consider flexible work schedules or telecommuting.
59. Recycle printer cartridges.
60. Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work.
61. Report smoking vehicles to your local air agency.
62. Don’t use your wood stove or fireplace when air quality is poor.
63. Avoid slow-burning, smoldering fires. They produce the largest amount of
pollution.
64. Burn seasoned wood – it burns cleaner than green wood.
65. Use solar power for home and water heating.
66. Use low-VOC or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers.
67. Purchase radial tires and keep them properly inflated for your vehicle.
68. Paint with brushes or rollers instead of using spray paints to minimize harmful
emissions.
69. Ignite charcoal barbecues with an electric probe or other alternative to lighter
fluid.
70. If you use a wood stove, use one sold after 1990. They are required to meet
federal emissions standards and are more efficient and cleaner burning.
71. Walk or ride your bike instead of driving, whenever possible.
72. Join a carpool or vanpool to get to work.

Ways to Use Less Water

73. Check and fix any water leaks.
74. Install water-saving devices on your faucets and toilets.
75. Don’t wash dishes with the water running continuously.
76. Wash and dry only full loads of laundry and dishes.
77. Follow your community’s water use restrictions or guidelines.
78. Install a low-flow shower head.
79. Replace old toilets with new ones that use a lot less water.
80. Turn off washing machine’s water supply to prevent leaks.

Ways to Protect Our Water

81. Revegetate or mulch disturbed soil as soon as possible.
82. Never dump anything down a storm drain.
83. Have your septic tank pumped and system inspected regularly.
84. Check your car for oil or other leaks, and recycle motor oil.
85. Take your car to a car wash instead of washing it in the driveway.
86. Learn about your watershed.

Create Less Trash

87. Buy items in bulk from loose bins when possible to reduce the packaging wasted.
88. Avoid products with several layers of packaging when only one is sufficient.
About 33 of what we throw away is packaging.
89. Buy products that you can reuse.
90. Maintain and repair durable products instead of buying new ones.
91. Check reports for products that are easily repaired and have low breakdown rates.
92. Reuse items like bags and containers when possible.
93. Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones.
94. Use reusable plates and utensils instead of disposable ones.
95. Use reusable containers to store food instead of aluminum foil and cling wrap.
96. Shop with a canvas bag instead of using paper and plastic bags.
97. Buy rechargeable batteries for devices used frequently.
98. Reuse packaging cartons and shipping materials. Old newspapers make great
packaging material.
99. Compost your vegetable scraps.
100.Buy used furniture – there is a surplus of it, and it is much cheaper than new
furniture.

Miscellaneous

101. Turn off unneeded lights even when leaving a room for a short time
102. Once your cell phone is charged, unplug it from the charger!
103. Set your refrigerator temperature at 36 to 38 and your freezer at 0 to 5
104. When using an oven, minimize door opening while it is in use; it reduces oven
temperature by 25 to 30 every time you open the door
105. Unplug seldom used appliances
106. Purchase appliances and office equipment with the Energy Star Label; old
refrigerators, for example, use significant more energy than newer models
107. Turn down or shut off your water heater when you will be away for extended
periods
108. Use electric appliances only when you need them
109. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs to save money and energy.
110. Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work
111. Replace old windows with energy efficient ones
112. Use cold water instead of warm or hot water when possible
113. Buy green electricity – electricity produced by low – or even zero-pollution
facilities
114. Eliminate mercury from your home by purchasing items without mercury, and
dispose of items containing mercury at an appropriate drop-off facility when
necessary (e.g. old thermometers)
115. Learn about alternatives to household cleaning items that do not use hazardous
chemicals
116. Review labels of household cleaners you use. Consider alternatives like baking
soda, scouring pads, water
117. Use traps instead of rat and mouse poisons and insect killers
118. Have your home tested for radon
119. Minimize pesticide use
120. Turn off computers and other appliances when not in use
121. Copy and print on both sides of paper
122. Reuse items like envelopes, folders and paper clips
123. Use e-mail instead of paper correspondence
124. Use recycled paper
125. Use discarded paper for scrap paper
126. Encourage your school and/or company to print documents with soy-based inks,
which are less toxic
127. Telecommute!
128. Purchase radial tires and keep them properly inflated for your vehicle
129. Walk or ride your bike instead of driving, whenever possible
130. Join a carpool to get to work
131. Check and fix any water leaks
132. Install water-saving devices on your faucets and toilets
133. Don’t wash dishes with the water running continuously
134. Install a low-flow shower head
135. Replace old toilets with new ones that use a lot less water
136. Avoid products with several layers of packaging when only one is sufficient
(about 33 of what we throw away is packaging)
137. Use reusable plates and utensils instead of disposable ones
138. Use reusable containers to store food instead of aluminum foil and wrap
139. Shop with a canvas bag instead of using paper and plastic bags
140. Buy rechargeable batteries for devices used frequently

IF YOU LIKE THIS POST THEN, PLEASE ADD YOUR NAME IN FOLLOWERS LIST AND KEEP WATCHING REGULARLY THIS POST AND POST ANY COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG.

Thanks and Regards,

Sunil Patel
Ahmedabad

Save Trees :- What YOU can do!

2011-04-29T21:46:00.001-07:00

1. Boycott wood products! Change won't come until we change our consumer habits as individuals. Use and purchase recycled paper products! Many state of the art paper recycling factories have been shut down or are in danger of being shut down because of the lack of demand for recycled paper products. Shopper activists rise up! And don't forget to bring your canvas bags!

2. Don't buy old growth lumber products! In fact don't buy any lumber! If you must buy lumber, buy as little as possible, do you really need that new deck or room addition? Explore and research alternative building materials- adobe, brick, straw bale, bamboo, hemp, and/or metal. Many alternatives to wood are available, your money is what keeps them cutting!

3. Donate to "We Save Trees" forest education and action fund. Any donation of money, gear, food, warm clothing is greatly appreciated. Donations can be sent to the Donations box on www.wesavetrees.org Thank you*

4. Spread the word! Talk about the endangered species, learn about the importance of trees to our ecosystem and their vital role in healing the planet. Educate others through casual talk. The United States, the nation with the most money and influence around the world is putting its time and energy into materialism and consumerism! We need to set the example for the rest of the planet, save the forests! Raise conciousness, let your actions and thoughts show it!

5. Spend time in our sacred forests. Feel for yourself the wisdom and teachings the forest has to lend. Hike beyond the Redwood lined roads and tourist attractions, the hidden devastation from clearcuts will bring tears to your eyes. Less than three percent of the old growth remain, seek them out, learn what they have to teach. Allow yourself the time to get to know what they are. These trees are not hundreds to thousands of years old for nothing.

6. Live from love and question all consumption. Clean air, clean water, less pollution and healthy ecosystems can all be attained if we put our love and inspirations into action. In doing so, we as humans can start healing and perhaps nature too will repair herself. It is what we do on this earth, in our time here, in our own heart, souls, and conscousness that is known by the greater forces that be. Let us dissolve our societies priorities of money, greed, and social status. "Be the change you wish to see in the world."

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Thanks and Regards,

Sunil Patel
Ahmedabad

Save Trees

2011-04-29T21:40:00.000-07:00

***** SOME WAYS TO SAVE TREES *****

We can save trees by :-

•Reducing the consumption of products made from trees (e.g. paper)

•Providing alternate fuel to rural poor for cooking (e.g.bio gas) so as to reduce cutting of trees for fuel wood

•Avoiding indiscriminate disposal of plastic products (especially thin plastic pick up bags) so as to allow rain water to percolate into ground and prevent erosion of soil to save the root system of trees

•Planning new projects (especially hydel power projects/water storage reservoirs) not involving deforestation/ submergence of forests under water

•Avoiding any human activity that may cause forest fires

•Making tours eco friendly

•Creating awareness among people about importance of trees and need for their conservation
you can also reduce the paper we use in school and dont cut down trees

***** THINK ABOUT MINIMUM ONE TREE THAT YOU SHOULD BE PLANT IN YOUR LIFE *****

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Thanks and Regards,

Sunil Patel
Ahmedabad

Save Sparrow Bird

2011-04-29T05:40:00.000-07:00

*** Save Sparrow Bird ***

What's Killing Our Sparrows?

• Lack of insects to feed their young due to pesticides and planting of exotic species of grass and trees
• Shortage of nesting sites thanks to modern architecture
• Electromagnetic waves from cellphone towers
• Paved gardens with no mud to bathe in
• Hedges being replaced by wrought iron fences
• Competition for food and shelter from pigeons and mynahs
• Shortage of shrubs to roost in

IF YOU LIKE THIS POST THEN, PLEASE ADD YOUR NAME IN FOLLOWERS LIST AND KEEP WATCHING REGULARLY THIS POST AND POST ANY COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG.

Thanks and Regards,

Sunil Patel
Ahmedabad

2009-06-30T03:12:00.000-07:00

Sunil Patel from Ahmedabad starts first blog on dt-30/06/2009

*** Save The Earth ***

*** Monsoon Season ***