HEALTH - ~ NEWS - ~ Seaweed chemical can help treat arthritis, say scientists

Seaweed chemical can help treat arthritis, say scientists

A chemical produced by"nuisance" seaweed which has been destroying
coral reefs in Hawaii could be used to develop drugs to treat
arthritis, scientists say.
Researchers from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in US found
the seaweed is packed with tiny photosynthetic organisms called
"cyanobacterium" which produce compounds that have shown promise in
combating bacterial infections.
It could also be used in future medicines to treat other chronic
diseases fromarthritis to cancer to heart trouble, the researchers
said.
The researchers, who first found the organism in 2008 off the Kona
coast of Hawaii, took samples in 2009 as they were overgrowing and
smothering the corals underneath by releasing a chemical that was
causing the corals to bleach.
Tests on the chemical revealed some surprising results - the seaweed
was generating natural products called honaucins, which had potent
anti-inflammation and bacteria-controlling properties, the Daily Mail
reported.
"In different arenas these compounds could be helpful, such as
treating chronic inflammatory conditions for which we currently don't
have really good medicines. Even nuisance pests, as it turns out, are
not just pests," said Prof William Gerwick, who led the research.
"These organisms have been on the planet for millions of years and so
it is not surprising that they have evolved numerous strategies for
competing with neighboring species, including chemical warfare," added
co-author Jennifer Smith.
"Several species of cyanobacteria and algae are known to produce novel
compounds, many that have promising use in drug development for human
and other uses."
About 350 million people worldwide have arthritis that causes pain and
inflammation within a joint. Currently, there is no cure for it though
painkillers and non-steroidal drugs are often prescribed to help treat
the symptoms.
"It's a long road to go fromthis early-stage discovery to application
in the clinic but it's the only road if we want new and more
efficacious medicines," ProfGerwick said.

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HEALTH - ~ The protein that reveals the heart’s ability to repair itself: Thymosin Beta-4

Beyond all the miraculous systems in the body, the heart by itself is
one of the finest examples of flawless creation. No similar artificial
mechanism that"can keep someone alive" has thus far been built,
despite all the recent scientific advances. With the cells that
comprise it, its special valve systems and the manner in which the
opening and closing of these valves isregulated, the heart is an organ
with exceptionally complex and special systems. No other organ can do
anything like the work it performs.
· What happens in the event of an impairment in the functioning of thisorgan?
· How can the heart repair itself following a heart attack?
· What role does the thymosin beta-4 (TB4) molecule play in the
heart's self-repair?
Although it is only 22 dayssince its creation, a small collection of
cells on the left side of the fetus begins to move. This collection of
cells will never stop now, not for a very long time. It will never
tire. It will beat approximately 70 times per minute, some 35 million
times per year, andaround two trillion times over the course of an
average life span. It will pump some 227 million liters of blood over
the course of a lifetime. It will tirelessly feed all the organs of
the body through the network of blood vessels . The heart functions
perfectly in every body because Allah so chooses, and everything it
does is underour Lord's control at every moment. Allah exhibits
Hisartistry of detail in the human body and reveals this in a verse:
" Allah brought you out of your mothers' wombs knowing nothing at all,
and gave you hearing, sight and hearts so that perhaps you would show
thanks." (Surat an-Nahl, 78)
This organ, the foundationof life, also uses blood to nourish itself.
However, in order to remind people of their weakness, our Lord may
sometimes cause the vessels that feed the heartto narrow, using such
natural causes as cholesterol (blood fats), other fats, calcium and
combinations of other substances. This then leadsto impaired
circulation in the blood vessels (coronary arteries) that supply the
heart, finally resulting in a heart defect. When the narrowing of the
vessels turns into complete blockage over the course of time, the
result is severe chest pain and a heart attack. This generally proves
fatal, though some victims do survive. But their hearts still suffer
damage from the attack.
Recent studies have once again shown Almighty Allah's love for and
mercy on His servants. Because a protein that the heart produces
during the developmental stage in children enables the damaged heart
to be repaired and increases the vessels supplying it.
The Healing Power of the Heart: Thymosin Beta-4
During a heart attack, heart cells die when the flow of blood to the
heart is suddenly cut off, resulting in irreparable damage. This
damage persists in the form of a decreased quality of life in the
patient's later life.
Until recently it used to bethought that, unlike other organs, the
heart had no ability to repair itself. Today, however, we knowthat
this damage can be put right by the body. The protein thymosin beta-4
(TB4), which plays a key role in the development ofthe heart in
children, activates stem cells that are lie dormant in the adult
heart. These tiny proteins, known as thymosin, which comes in two
forms in living tissue, α 1 and β 4, possess the ability to reprogram
cells in the body. The protein is today administered in the form of a
drug, and sends the stem cells a code regarding the repair of
theheart. The heart thus healsitself without the need for other
treatment. Administered in pharmaceutical form, this protein improves
heart performance by up to 25%by causing stem cells to turn into heart
and artery cells. It repairs the damaged heart cells, increases the
arteries supplying the heart and permits the muscles to repair
themselves.
Allah, the Creator of All, Is Most Great
Events in our body that we are unaware of, and whose existence we have
usually never even heard of, take place inside us with the greatest
regularity. Our heartbeat, essential for our survival, is not
something we initiate or maintain of our own will. Our heart is one of
the organs miraculouslycreated by our Lord. This organ begins beating
as a collection of cells when a person is still in his mother's womb,
and continues to flawlessly discharge its duties until the end of that
person's life.
Research in recent years has revealed that in the event of a defect
arising inthis immaculately functioning organ, various proteins go
into action to repair it.

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STORY - ~ The Power of Persistence

Here's a true story about the power of persistence:
Once, many years ago, I arrived in San Francisco on a warm July day
with no friends, no contacts and only a little money in my pocket. I
needed work. What I did have was confidence. I had been through some
very hard times, and had learned to fight for what I wanted, and not
to accept "no" for an answer.
I met a fellow who was a courier and he suggested that I try it. He
gave me thenames of some courier companies. I visited severaland
filled out applications, but there was one company in particular that
I liked. It seemed well outfitted and professionally run. I spoke to
the human resources manager and he told me that they did not need
anyone but that I should check back in several months. "Summertime is
slow here," he said. "Try us in fall."
I came back early the next morning. I couldn't wait until autumn, and
I wasn't interested in sitting aroundand hoping for someone tolook at
my application and call me. I knew they had stacks of applications in
filing drawers. I had decided where I wanted to work, and all that
remained was for them to accept my reality.
The HR manager said, "Weren't you here yesterday and I told you we
don't need anyone?" I said yes, but I thought maybe someone might
callin sick and they could use me just for the day. The HR manager
gave me an appraising look and said, "No, nothing like that. Whydon't
you come back in a month?"
I came back the next day. This time the HR man smiled and said, "I'll
tell you what, come back in one week."
I came back the next day. Itwas a Thursday. The HR man rolled his eyes
in exasperation and said, "Listen. Come back on Monday and I'll see
what I can do."
I came back the next day, Friday. He gave me a job starting that day.
I worked for that company for five years and got promoted twice.
That's a true story.
I know it's harder nowadays with the economy in shambles. I'm not
guaranteeing that you can get a job by following these tips. But it
will certainly help your chances,Insha'Allah. And if you take that
same persistence and apply it to every endeavor in your life, I
believe you will find that even mountains will crumble before you.
And Allah knows best.
I'm really not a fan of Madison Avenue's ubiquitous ad messages, but
there was a Nike ad that I saw once that really resonated for me. In
fact I tore it out of the magazine and pasted it up on the wall, right
beside my bed. It said:
All your life you are told the things you cannot do.All your life they
will say you're not good enough or strong enough or talented enough;
they will say you're the wrongheight or the wrong weight or the wrong
typeto play this or be this or achieve this. THEY WILL TELL YOU NO, a
thousand times no, until all the no's become meaningless. All your
life they will tell you no, quite firmly and very quickly.
AND YOU WILL TELL THEM YES.
May Allah help all of you and provide for you and your families.
(O Allah), Guide us to the straight path; The path ofthose whom you
have favored; Not those with whom you are angry; Northose who go
astray.

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What’s Your Legacy?

"Who are you? What makes you special? What isthe legacy that you've
builtand shared with others (self, family, community and the world)?
If we died today, what would our obituaries say? What have we done for
GOD and GOD'speople lately? What is our mission and vision, and arewe
living it? If we died today, what would our obituaries say?" – Hanan
K. Bilal
This is what it's all about. I heard someone say recently that only
two things can happen with thewealth you accumulate in this life:
either it leaves you, or you leave it. Wealthis not a legacy. Having
fun is not a legacy. Helping a company to sell useless products is not
a legacy.
Making a difference in the lives of human beings, relieving the
suffering of even one person, raising righteous and happy children,
leaving behind knowledge that benefits people, making the world
abetter place, those are legacies.
I have not met the sister who is quoted at the top, but I have read
some of her writings. Whenever I hear her name I think of being
responsible, taking care of my family, loving my children and bringing
them up right, making a difference in the community, following my
dreams… that is a legacy. She has already created a vital legacy.
I have another friend whose name is Ismail. He isso humble
ma-sha-Allah, and as a friend he is the most discreet and
closed-mouthed person I know, by which I mean he never speaks badly
about anyoneelse, and never reveals anyone's secrets or violatestheir
trust. When I think of him, I am inspired to emulate him. That is his
legacy, and it's an important and valuable one.
More than twenty years ago I knew a brother named Qawiy. His life was
hard, but every time I met him he'd give me a big smile and an
enthusiastic handshake. He wore a kufi and carried a folded musalla
(prayer rug) on his shoulder, so he could pray whenever salat time
arrived, no matter where he was. Kind of quirky, but also inspiring.
All these years later, just the thought of Qawiy brings a smile to my
face, and reminds me of the importance of doing salat on time. That's
a legacy! SubhanAllah.
I could name many more people who have affected me in positive and
critical ways. I will always remember them, even afterthey are gone,
Insha'Allah. They have created lasting legacies.
Of course we don't even have to speak of the Prophets (peace be upon
them), and the Messenger of Allah (sws), and the Sahabah (may Allah be
pleased with them). Their legacies shine like the moon and stars and
will illuminate human history for all time.
What's your legacy? What do people say about you, and what will they
say when you're gone?

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