HEALTH - Blood test 'finds brain tumours'

Tiny fatty balls ejected bycancer cells into the bloodstream have been
used to detect deadly brain tumours, US researchers report.
The spheres, known as microvesicles, share the unique characteristics
of the cancer cells they come from, but are much easier to get hold
off.
A study, published in Nature Medicine , showeda test could detect
tumours in mice and human patients.
The researchers say the spheres could also be used see if drugs are working.
Cells, including cancerousones, do not exist in isolation. They
package up bits of themselves in small balls of fat which then
circulate around thebody in order to transport goods and communicate
with other cells.
Researchers are interested in the microvesicles as a way of testing
for cancer and it has already been suggested they could be used to
detect prostate cancer in urine .
Magnetic
However, they are very small and can be difficult to detect.
Nanoparticles stick to thesurface of microvesicles from a brain cancer
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital used magnetic
nanoparticles which are designed to latch onto unique proteins in a
microvesicle from a braincancer cell. The magnetic trace of the tagged
microvesicles can then bedetected.
Tests in 24 patients known to have a brain tumour were more than 90%
accurate. Other experiments on animals showed how tumours responded to
treatment.
Prof Ralph Weissleder, from the hospital, said:"These microvesicles
were found to be remarkably reliable biomarkers.
"They are very stable andabundant and appear to be extremely sensitive
to treatment effects.
"In both animals and human patients, we wereable to monitor how the
number of cancer-relatedmicrovesicles in the bloodstream changed with
treatment.
Being able to detect and monitor cancer using blood samples is a
hugelyexciting prospect "
Josephine Querido
Cancer Research UK
"Even before an appreciable change in tumour size could be seen with
imaging, we saw fewer microvesicles. It's like they are a harbinger of
treatment response."
The team believe similar techniques could be usedfor different cancers
and other diseases.
Josephine Querido, science information manager at Cancer Research UK,
said: "This small study shows the potential of using tiny cancer
particles to detect whether patients are responding to treatmentsfor a
common form of brain cancer, but much more work is needed before this
can be used in hospitals.
"Being able to detect andmonitor cancer using blood samples is a
hugelyexciting prospect and many labs around the world, including our
own, are racing to try to bring this to the clinic."

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Sayyeda Zainab (sa) and Imamate

In her life Sayyeda Zainab (sa) always saw the evildoers,
oppressors,insurgents and breakers of covenants defy the truth and
Imam Ali (as), the supporter of the truth and justice had to quell
their revolts. Finally,an evil hand gave Imam Ali (as) a stroke from a
poisoned sword on his head in the mosque of Kufa. After Imam Ali (as),
his son Imam Hassan (as) became the Caliph. Imam Hassan (as) was also
greatly oppressed until atlast he signed a peace treaty with the ruler
of that time, Muawiyah ibn Abu Sufyan and moved toKufa in the company
of Zainab, her husband, andhis own companions. Imam Hassan (as) was
poisoned by his treacherous wife Ja'da bint al-Ash'ath ibn Qays, by
the order of the ruler of that time. After Imam Hassan (as), Imam
Hussein (as) became the Imam, but the ruler of Syria Muawiyah ibn Abu
Sufyan violated the peace treaty and appointed his son Yazid as his
successor and insisted that Imam Hussein (as) should pledge allegiance
to him.Imam Hussein (as) refused to pledge allegiance and made up his
mind to move to Makkah.
Sayyeda Zainab (sa) said farewell to her husband, Abdullah Ibn Ja'far
Tayyarand went with her brother accompanied by her sons Muhammad and
Aun. They reached Makkah in 61 Hijrah year.
Imam Hussein (as) was informed that some agents of the ruler of that
time had come to Makkah to assassinate him while circumambulating the
Holy Ka'bah. Imam Hussein (as) deemed it advisable to move to Kufa and
let people knowof his secret mission. They arrived at Karbala on the
2nd Muharram. Sayyeda Zainab (sa) had heard from her grandfather and
father that Karbala would be the place where Imam Hussein (as) would
be martyred.
Sayyeda Zainab (sa) in Karbala
Sayyeda Zainab (sa) is theshining sun in the historyof Islam and of
humanity.Her brother's name and Karbala associate the idea of freedom,
justice, humanity, virtue, fighting against despotism, with the
realization of the sovereignty of Allah (SWT). The history of Karbala
is based on two pillars: the rising of ImamHussein (as) and the rising
of Sayyeda Zainab (sa). She was an outstanding figure in thehistory of
Karbala endowed with divine steadfastness and fortitude. She
sacrificed her two sons and one should not say anything if one devoted
his life forthe cause of Allah (SWT). After the martyrdom of her
brother and her two sons, she said: "O my Lord! Accept our humble
sacrifice to You."
When Zainab reached Kufa, she addressed people with fury words:"Praise
to Allah, and may the blessing of Allah be upon Muhammad and
hisprogeny. O people of Kufa, you are hypocrites and deceitful. You
feign to be sorry for the death of my brother and his companions. May
you always shed tears. I find nothing in you but flattery, evil acts
and thoughts, pride and spiteand ill will. By Allah (SWT)! You deserve
lasting sorrow instead of joy. Shames on you, your hands are imbrued
with the blood of the son of Prophet Muhammad (saw), the one who was
your sole refuge in case of adversity. By your evil act and
disloyalty, you incurred the wrath of Allah (SWT) against you. Woe
betides you! No one will intercede with Allah (SWT) for you." Her
furious words provoked people of Kufa to avenge Imam Hussein's
martyrdom. This frightened Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad and his cruel agents.
She also delivered a furious sermon in the court of the caliph that
made his authority and despotic rule feel undermined. She said: "I
fear no one but Allah (SWT). Make whatever evil plot you can. Blazes
are waiting for you in the hereafter. You'll he accountable to Allah
(SWT) for your atrocities."
The Foundation of Mourning (Majalis-E-Aza) of Imam Hussein (as)
Another unique feature of Sayyeda Zainab's (sa) character was her
establishment of mourning ceremonies . This tradition which has lived
in the memories and hearts of millions of Muslims to this day, has
kept the sacrifices of Imam Hussein (as) alive, and brought dynamism
to every movement that aimed at removing injustices on earth.
After every Majlis, the women would offer theircondolences to Sayyeda
Zainab (sa) and the men to Imam Zainul Abedeen (as). These majales
made quite a stir in the cities, and the sound of crying and beating
of chests and heads affected the minds of the inhabitants, and made
them sadder and wiser to the events of Karbala.
In the end...
As it is said, "the word is mightier than the sword", this should stay
in the minds of all Muslims, particularly the women. They should
realize that they could always make a difference. They can always
reach for the better. Also, they can make their Ummah (Community) look
better.
The Muslim women should read more about the hardships which faced the
great women of Islam understand and practice the patience
thatcharacterized the life of Sayyeda Zainab (sa), and teach their
children the value of these acts.
The men alone cannot win independence and prosperity, neither can the
women. Together, and under the banner of Islam, they can achieve
success.

Sayyeda Zainab (sa), the sage of Bani Hashim

Ibn Abbas quoted Sayyeda Fatima Zahra (sa) as having said that her
daughter Zainab, likeher father, was unparalleled in literary
eloquence and courage. The speech she delivered in the assembly in
presence of Yazid was at the zenith of eloquence and impressiveness.
(Refer Famous Women, Dr. Ahmed Beheshti, and p.51)
After the demise of Prophet Muhammad (saw), there came the period of
distress and hardship in the life of Sayyeda Zainab (sa). She stood by
her mother as far as the question of supreme mandate of her father was
concerned. When her mother delivered the Fadak sermon, she was only 4
years old, but narrated the sermon so lucidly andexpressively that the
people from Bani Hashim remembered it by heart. Later the Shiite
scholars recorded it that is why she is called Zainab the narrator of
traditions.
Sayyeda Zainab's (sa) Marriage
Sayyeda Zainab (sa) grewinto a fine stature young woman. When the time
came for marriage, she was married in a simple ceremony to her first
cousin, Abdullah Ibn Ja'far Tayyar. Her marriage settlement was equal
to that of her mother's. Imam Ali (as) told Abdullah Ibn Ja'far Tayyar
not to prevent Sayyeda Zainab (sa) from going on a journey with Imam
Hussein (as), her brother.
Abdullah Ibn Ja'far Tayyarhad been brought up under the direct care of
Prophet Muhammad (saw). After his death, Imam Ali (as) became his
supporter and guardian until he came of age. He grew up to be a
handsome youth with pleasing manners and was known for his sincere
hospitality to guests and selfless generosity to the poor and needy.
Although Sayyeda Zainab's (sa) husband was a man of means, she lived a
modest life, not a life of luxury. She and herhusband were charitable
to the needy people. The Arab tribes called Abdullah Ibn Ja'far
Tayyar"the sea or the cloud of munificence".
The marriage of Sayyeda Zainab (sa) did not diminish her strong
attachment to her family.Together this young couple had five children,
of whom four were sons, Ali, Aun, Muhammad, and Abbas, and one
daughter,Umm Kulthum.

Heroine of Karbala: Sayyeda Zainab (sa), Zaynab al-Kubra (sa), BibiZainab (sa)

Sayyeda Zainab (sa), the daughter of Imam Ali (as)and Sayyeda Fatima
Zahra (sa), was an exemplary woman of great ability,
intelligence,knowledge, insight, courage and perseverance; she
performed her divine duties to the best of her ability. She was born
to afamily formed by ProphetMuhammad (saw), the most outstanding
figure in history. The Prophet's wife Sayyeda Khadija (sa) a devoted
woman, was her maternal grandmother, and her paternal grandmother was
Fatima daughter of Assad, who mothered and nursed Prophet Muhammad
(saw). The members of the family, intrio hierarchical order, were all
great.
Sayyeda Zainab (sa) was a brilliant star in the mandate sky that
received rays of holiness from the five suns. It was through her holy
origins and pious edification that she manifested so great a fortitude
in Karbala (Iraq).
The life of the daughter of Sayyeda Fatima Zahra (sa) was always laden
with hardships, but she never feared coping withdifficulties, this
enhancedher endurance and elevated her soul.
She had barely attained the tender age of seven when her beloved
mother passed away. Her mother's death had closely followed her
cherished grand father's passing away. Some time later Imam Ali (as)
married Ummul Banin (sa), whose devotion andpiety encouraged Sayyeda
Zainab (sa) in her learning.
Whilst still a young girl she was fully able to care for and be
responsible for the running of her father's household. As much as she
cared for thecomforts and ease of her brothers and sisters, in her own
wants she was frugal and unstintingly generous to the poor, homeless
and parentless. After her marriage her husband is reported as having
said, "Zainab is the best housewife."
From very early on she developed an unbreakable bond of attachment to
her brother Imam Hussein (as). At times when as a baby in her mother's
arms she could not be pacified and made to stop crying, she would
quieter down upon being held by her brother, and there she would sit
quietly gazing at his face. Before she would pray she used to first
cast a glance at the face of her beloved brother, Imam Hussein (as).
One day Sayyeda Fatima Zahra (sa) mentioned theintensity of her
daughter's love for Imam Hussein (as) to Prophet Muhammad (saw). He
breathed a deep sigh andsaid with moistened eyes, "My dear child, this
child of mine Zainab would be confronted with a thousand and one
calamities and face serious hardships in Karbala."

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Published by :->
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