As part of the Linacre Ball committee, I watched "Around the world in 80 days". It was a hilarious movie, made in the 1970's starring some British actor as Phileas Fogg. I am a huge fan of Jules Verne having read Around the world, Journey to the center of the earth and 20,000 leagues under the sea. I love the guys books. The guy was a visionary. Each of his books predicts things which happens 50 years later.
Submarines, rockets to the moon, aeroplanes, world travel all in 1902. What imagination. Surprisingly most of his ideas do make sense. The submarine for example is made of reinforced steel, has a generator all components of todays submarines.
I hate science fiction, in fact I cant read Asimov, Clarke et al, but somehow Jules Verne, HG Wells appeal to my sense of adventure in a rather old-fashioned way. Its so exciting when you are about 10 years old to read about martians, submarines, lost treasures and cities under the sea and climbing down a volcano to reach the center of the earth. I also think they are slightly easier to imagine than spacecrafts flying around the planet Xysos on the 15th galaxy of Andromeda...it just sounds wrong!!
However, co-incidentally came across someone who is presently doing just that. Ellen MacArthur is attempting to break the record for the fastest solo sailing trip around the world and seems to be right on target. She is looking to make the trip in 72 days,22 hours,54minutes and 22 seconds. She started from Britain on the 28th of November and will return some time this week. Presently she is two days ahead of the record, previously held by Francis Joyson. I think it is fantastic that she set out to do this, it must be so difficult to live alone on a boat and eat canned food for 72 days.
You can follow her progress here.
Thought for the day :
Travel, which was once either a necessity or an adventure, has become very largely a commodity, and from all sides we are persuaded into thinking that it is a social requirement, too.
Sunday, February 6
Saturday, February 5
Arsenic
Have not blogged for a few days, was very busy running from one meeting to the next. I never realised how tiring meeting people and making decisions could be.
Some good news, Narain has secured his Formula One drive. He is the first driver for the Jordan team and partners Portugal's Tiago Monteiro. Other sports news, the second ODI between SA and England was a tie. SA are the biggest choker in the game,they should have easily won this match but messed it up. Reminds you of Allan Donald running down the pitch against Australia in the 1999 World Cup, one of the most unforgettable pictures in cricket history.
I attended this really interesting talk by a SpR in Haematology. As part of the medical grand rounds on Thursday he spoke about Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia. This slightly rare condition makes up about 10% of all Acute Leukemias and is usually treated by chemotherapy and ATRA(All-trans retinoic acid). However, in refractory cases and relapses, ATRA and chemo does not show good rates of complete remission, so they decided to POISON the LEUKEMIA.
They used ARSENIC as a form of treatment. Now, before you go,"Oh! My God!", arsenic has been used in ancient times as forms of treatment and is also used in Uclerative Colitis nowadays. Obviously, they use a different chemical form of Arsenic than the one that is poisonous.
Arsenic Trioxide acts as a anti-neoplastic agent, by activation of differentiation and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. It is very good in relapses and refractory cases giving a CR rate of ~ 75% in most studies conducted, compared with a rate of 20% with chemo and ATRA. For more details, look up this article.
But, this has obviously led me to do some serious research on arsenic poisoning and arsenic. I remember learning about arsenic in second year forensic medicine and it was an examination favourite because of two reasons.
1. It is considered as the ideal homicidal poison, for the following reasons :
a. It is tasteless, white in colour, dissolves in milk and is cheap, available as rat-poison.
b. the symptoms of the poisoning mimic natural diseases, acute arsenic poisoning mimics
gastro-enteritis, and chronic mimics dermatitis and peripheral neuritis.
It was known as the "king of poisons" and in France was known as poudre de succession, for obvious reasons. In fact in the good old days before chemistry took off, arsenic was a favourite poison as it was impossible to detect and the only way to detect poisons was to feed the remnants to an animal, of which they were very few( where were the animal rights activists then??). Then came the MARSH test and it became easier to detect Arsenic from dead bodies.
Anyway, the other reason it was a favourite was that the poison arsenic oxide is different from the chronic poisoning that is prevalent across the world especially in South East Asia. In fact there is a group at Harvard which is working on the effects on chronic arsenic poisoning as a result of contaminated drinking water. The examiners loved to confuse us by asking what are the effects of Arsenic (contaminated DW) vs this white powder (poisonous arsenic oxide).
Ok, before you begin to believe that I am some morbid sociopath murderer, let me change the topic to happier issues (now I cant think of something happy, but that doesn't prove anything!)
Let us end today on this awkward note:
"To a suicide: You just poisoned the wrong person"
Some good news, Narain has secured his Formula One drive. He is the first driver for the Jordan team and partners Portugal's Tiago Monteiro. Other sports news, the second ODI between SA and England was a tie. SA are the biggest choker in the game,they should have easily won this match but messed it up. Reminds you of Allan Donald running down the pitch against Australia in the 1999 World Cup, one of the most unforgettable pictures in cricket history.
I attended this really interesting talk by a SpR in Haematology. As part of the medical grand rounds on Thursday he spoke about Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia. This slightly rare condition makes up about 10% of all Acute Leukemias and is usually treated by chemotherapy and ATRA(All-trans retinoic acid). However, in refractory cases and relapses, ATRA and chemo does not show good rates of complete remission, so they decided to POISON the LEUKEMIA.
They used ARSENIC as a form of treatment. Now, before you go,"Oh! My God!", arsenic has been used in ancient times as forms of treatment and is also used in Uclerative Colitis nowadays. Obviously, they use a different chemical form of Arsenic than the one that is poisonous.
Arsenic Trioxide acts as a anti-neoplastic agent, by activation of differentiation and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. It is very good in relapses and refractory cases giving a CR rate of ~ 75% in most studies conducted, compared with a rate of 20% with chemo and ATRA. For more details, look up this article.
But, this has obviously led me to do some serious research on arsenic poisoning and arsenic. I remember learning about arsenic in second year forensic medicine and it was an examination favourite because of two reasons.
1. It is considered as the ideal homicidal poison, for the following reasons :
a. It is tasteless, white in colour, dissolves in milk and is cheap, available as rat-poison.
b. the symptoms of the poisoning mimic natural diseases, acute arsenic poisoning mimics
gastro-enteritis, and chronic mimics dermatitis and peripheral neuritis.
It was known as the "king of poisons" and in France was known as poudre de succession, for obvious reasons. In fact in the good old days before chemistry took off, arsenic was a favourite poison as it was impossible to detect and the only way to detect poisons was to feed the remnants to an animal, of which they were very few( where were the animal rights activists then??). Then came the MARSH test and it became easier to detect Arsenic from dead bodies.
Anyway, the other reason it was a favourite was that the poison arsenic oxide is different from the chronic poisoning that is prevalent across the world especially in South East Asia. In fact there is a group at Harvard which is working on the effects on chronic arsenic poisoning as a result of contaminated drinking water. The examiners loved to confuse us by asking what are the effects of Arsenic (contaminated DW) vs this white powder (poisonous arsenic oxide).
Ok, before you begin to believe that I am some morbid sociopath murderer, let me change the topic to happier issues (now I cant think of something happy, but that doesn't prove anything!)
Let us end today on this awkward note:
"To a suicide: You just poisoned the wrong person"
Wednesday, February 2
Motorsport
Great News!! Narain karthikeyan might finally make it to Formula One. The 28 year old dude is obviously deserving especially after the fact that he was offered a F1 ride by Minardi in 2003 but was unable to garner enough sponsorship.
Here is what he has to say about it.
I believe that this is a good sign. Maybe now the M&M ( money and more money) and attention can be diverted from that all encompassing game of bat and ball.
Dont misunderstand me, I love cricket as much as the next man. Nails are bitten and in one infamous episode benches were burnt(India v Pak, 1999 World Cup).But, I am sick of the accolades and coverage that these guys( and it is only guys)get.
I can only hope that Sania Mirza and now Narain can bring about a mini-revolution in Indian sport with diversion of patronage to other sports like tennis, table tennis, badminton and football.
Here is what he has to say about it.
I believe that this is a good sign. Maybe now the M&M ( money and more money) and attention can be diverted from that all encompassing game of bat and ball.
Dont misunderstand me, I love cricket as much as the next man. Nails are bitten and in one infamous episode benches were burnt(India v Pak, 1999 World Cup).But, I am sick of the accolades and coverage that these guys( and it is only guys)get.
I can only hope that Sania Mirza and now Narain can bring about a mini-revolution in Indian sport with diversion of patronage to other sports like tennis, table tennis, badminton and football.
Tuesday, February 1
The "Binding agent" hypothesis
I have finally decided that with A away, leaving me lots of free time(no cooking, making tea,watching Chic flicks!) to waste, I shall re-start my blog.
I have no idea what to write on, or if anything interesting at all happens in my life, but as I have already stated this is my hour and space to ramble.
My "Binding agent" hypothesis was propounded to A on her last night here between sips of Chaing mai's fantastic Tom Yam soup.
The hypothesis is pretty simple and obvious : " every relationship needs a binding agent"
The criterion for a binding agent are :
1. They should be activities
2. Each of the partners must enjoy the activity independently of the other
3. It should be activities that can be performed together
4. They should enjoy undertaking the activity with each other
5. After a fight, they should be able to undertake the activity in the presence of the other
I think most activites fit these criterion. Reading, cooking, watching sports,excercising all are good binding agents.However, in my opinion the best binding agent must be sex. If a couple enjoys having sex with each other then it is perfect as it fits all the criterion,including the most difficult one of undertaking the activity after a fight.
Thought of the day:
The pleasure of love is in loving. We are much happier in the passion we feel than in that we inspire.
I have no idea what to write on, or if anything interesting at all happens in my life, but as I have already stated this is my hour and space to ramble.
My "Binding agent" hypothesis was propounded to A on her last night here between sips of Chaing mai's fantastic Tom Yam soup.
The hypothesis is pretty simple and obvious : " every relationship needs a binding agent"
The criterion for a binding agent are :
1. They should be activities
2. Each of the partners must enjoy the activity independently of the other
3. It should be activities that can be performed together
4. They should enjoy undertaking the activity with each other
5. After a fight, they should be able to undertake the activity in the presence of the other
I think most activites fit these criterion. Reading, cooking, watching sports,excercising all are good binding agents.However, in my opinion the best binding agent must be sex. If a couple enjoys having sex with each other then it is perfect as it fits all the criterion,including the most difficult one of undertaking the activity after a fight.
Thought of the day:
The pleasure of love is in loving. We are much happier in the passion we feel than in that we inspire.
Sunday, August 29
Relationships
Was thinking some time ago (this happens rarely and usually occurs in the shower) Did I tell you about how I won a Scholarship while having a bath.... Mr. K V had asked me why India doesn't have information on Lifestyle diseases, during our dinner the day before the interview.
I really didnt think about it at all through dinner. I was having a bath in the rubbish youth hostel that T put me up in, which had cold water and I had forgotten my slippers, so had a very bad time. Anyway, while having a bath and obvioulsy attempting to avoid concentrating on the cold, my mind began to wander and the answer struck me. At the end of my interview, just before leaving, I told Mr. V that the reason might simply be the lack of National Health Programmes for these diseases. I do believe that might have tipped the scales in my favour.
Reminds me of Archimedes...
Back to my profound question on relationships. Why would anyone have a relationship?? What does either party stand to gain? The obvious motivations which come to mind are : social Status, Sex, companionship, security.. I have now begun to think hard for further reasons.
I can understand both sex and social status, and being selfish motives they confirm my belief that all humans are intrinsically selfish.
But, can't we have companionship without committment? Yes, friends provide such a feeling. Then why do we ever commit to spending the major part of our time with someone. What about security.. I dont think any two people either married or unmarried are secure. I believe that security in a relationship can occur only when both partners reach the age when they realise that each of them would find it hard to find someone else, and that they are comfortable in each others presence.
But, when you are young, career minded, ambitious and self-presevatory it is very easy to dump your partner and move on.
Part two next time... My pAd.METRAP seems to have finally worked. What perverse pleasure do I draw from a simple cloning experiment? I have finally plunged the depths of monotony and bordeom, when DNA being stuck together can provide me motivation to stay in a empty lab till 2am. What is about science that keeps anyone going?? I will never be able to understand the motivations and mind of a scientist. I think they must all be mad!!
I really didnt think about it at all through dinner. I was having a bath in the rubbish youth hostel that T put me up in, which had cold water and I had forgotten my slippers, so had a very bad time. Anyway, while having a bath and obvioulsy attempting to avoid concentrating on the cold, my mind began to wander and the answer struck me. At the end of my interview, just before leaving, I told Mr. V that the reason might simply be the lack of National Health Programmes for these diseases. I do believe that might have tipped the scales in my favour.
Reminds me of Archimedes...
Back to my profound question on relationships. Why would anyone have a relationship?? What does either party stand to gain? The obvious motivations which come to mind are : social Status, Sex, companionship, security.. I have now begun to think hard for further reasons.
I can understand both sex and social status, and being selfish motives they confirm my belief that all humans are intrinsically selfish.
But, can't we have companionship without committment? Yes, friends provide such a feeling. Then why do we ever commit to spending the major part of our time with someone. What about security.. I dont think any two people either married or unmarried are secure. I believe that security in a relationship can occur only when both partners reach the age when they realise that each of them would find it hard to find someone else, and that they are comfortable in each others presence.
But, when you are young, career minded, ambitious and self-presevatory it is very easy to dump your partner and move on.
Part two next time... My pAd.METRAP seems to have finally worked. What perverse pleasure do I draw from a simple cloning experiment? I have finally plunged the depths of monotony and bordeom, when DNA being stuck together can provide me motivation to stay in a empty lab till 2am. What is about science that keeps anyone going?? I will never be able to understand the motivations and mind of a scientist. I think they must all be mad!!
THOUGHT FOR THE NIGHT :
The fabulous Wizard of Oz
Retired from his racket because,
What with up-to-date science,
To most of his clients
He wasn’t the Wizard he was.
Wednesday, August 25
Vaccines??
What do we need to do to develop a vaccine??
First, decide what sort of immunity you want to provoke. If the organism by itslef evokes a CMI or Ab response, the vaccine must attempt to mimic that, and also raise memory to it.
So, once we know what type of immunity we would like to produce, we need to find an antigen.How do we do that?? There must be certain characteristics which would make the antigen provoke an immune response. Surface presentation, conserved at all stages and within all strains of the organism. Is it very large?? smaller proteins would be easier to manufacture, does it have any biological activity which is vital for functioning of the organism?
Once we have identified an antigen,we look to mimic the response it causes. How?? The first step is to get it into an APC, then depending on whether it is recgonised and drives production of T cells or B cells.
Important questions which must be answered are :
1. How do immune cells recgonise antigens
2. How do different antigens drive different immune arms
3. Can we manipulate the direction of immune response? Can we skew the response in either direction
4. Can we increase the uptake of our protein/ vaccine by the cells we want??
5. How do we increase the number of cells taking part in the response??
6. How are memory cells produced, and can we replicate that?
Tomorrow, I shall try to answer the first question.
First, decide what sort of immunity you want to provoke. If the organism by itslef evokes a CMI or Ab response, the vaccine must attempt to mimic that, and also raise memory to it.
So, once we know what type of immunity we would like to produce, we need to find an antigen.How do we do that?? There must be certain characteristics which would make the antigen provoke an immune response. Surface presentation, conserved at all stages and within all strains of the organism. Is it very large?? smaller proteins would be easier to manufacture, does it have any biological activity which is vital for functioning of the organism?
Once we have identified an antigen,we look to mimic the response it causes. How?? The first step is to get it into an APC, then depending on whether it is recgonised and drives production of T cells or B cells.
Important questions which must be answered are :
1. How do immune cells recgonise antigens
2. How do different antigens drive different immune arms
3. Can we manipulate the direction of immune response? Can we skew the response in either direction
4. Can we increase the uptake of our protein/ vaccine by the cells we want??
5. How do we increase the number of cells taking part in the response??
6. How are memory cells produced, and can we replicate that?
Tomorrow, I shall try to answer the first question.
Sunday, August 22
Malaria and Sport
Read this article on India's Olympic performance. I would have to agree with almost everything that Shekhar Gupta says, the only problem is that nothing he says is new. It has been repeated often enough, somehow the message is never taken.
Nature has published a Web Focus on Malaria.Its really interesting, and makes you understand and appreciate the enormity of the problem.
Thinking of Malaria... spoke to Chiea today in the lab...and he infused me a shot of vitality and enthusiasm.
Its really important that I start thinking for myself, and about my project. The only way that is going to happen is if I work really hard, and slog my butt off.
Adenoviruses is an exciting area to be working on, for the simple reason that not much work in the lab has been done on it. Important questions would be : Is it a good booster or primer?? Can it induce Memeory T cells?? How can I induce memory T cells?? What other parts of Adeno virus can I remove for it to hold more transgene?? Can I put in certain cytokines with it?? What cytokines?? Does it induce T cells, which T cells?? Is there some way to make it specific to move to a certain organ or region?? Is E3 vital or not?? Will it induce a immunogenic response or not??
So much work to be done, and here I am waiting for A to arrive as he can then help me with the animal work.
Thought for the day :
Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.
Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. ...
Nature has published a Web Focus on Malaria.Its really interesting, and makes you understand and appreciate the enormity of the problem.
Thinking of Malaria... spoke to Chiea today in the lab...and he infused me a shot of vitality and enthusiasm.
Its really important that I start thinking for myself, and about my project. The only way that is going to happen is if I work really hard, and slog my butt off.
Adenoviruses is an exciting area to be working on, for the simple reason that not much work in the lab has been done on it. Important questions would be : Is it a good booster or primer?? Can it induce Memeory T cells?? How can I induce memory T cells?? What other parts of Adeno virus can I remove for it to hold more transgene?? Can I put in certain cytokines with it?? What cytokines?? Does it induce T cells, which T cells?? Is there some way to make it specific to move to a certain organ or region?? Is E3 vital or not?? Will it induce a immunogenic response or not??
So much work to be done, and here I am waiting for A to arrive as he can then help me with the animal work.
Thought for the day :
Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.
Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. ...
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