15-21 January 2018 - 16-min

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14 15 - 21 January, 2018 T Technology & Health www.NewDelhiTimes.com ◆◆By Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi @ManekaGandhiBJP he first known xenotransplantation was done by the god Shiva. Daksha, the father in law of Shiva, organized a yagna. He insulted Shiva and his daughter. Sati, Shiva’s wife, immolated herself in protest. Daksha’s head was cut off and burnt. Later, when Shiva forgave him, he was brought back to life but with a ram’s head. The more famous decapitation was that of Ganesha. Shiva cut off the head of a baby elephant and transplanted it on to his son’s neck. For the last 300 years doctors have been trying to replicate this miracle. The process is called xenotransplantation, or the transplanting of non-human organs or cells into a human body. Thousands of animals have died in the process. And each attempt has been a failure. But that doesn’t stop scientists from trying. After all, animal life is cheap and, in the name of science, one can do anything. In the 17th century, Jean Baptiste Denis started the practice of blood transfusion from animals to humans. Everyone died and xenotransfusion was banned in France for a number of years. In the 19th century, skin grafts became relatively popular between various animal species and humans. The fact that many of the species used as donors— sheep, rabbits, dogs, cats, rats, chickens, and pigeons—had hair, feathers, or fur, growing from the skin, did not deter the surgeons involved. The ideal graft was from frogs, which were sometimes skinned alive. None of the grafts were successful. D In the 20th century, the French experimental surgeon, Alexis Carrel, developed surgical techniques for joining blood vessels, which enabled organ transplantation to be carried out successfully for the first time. For this work he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1912. He developed an interest in crossspecies transplantation and his techniques became a reason for more people to experiment on animals. A few years later, Serge Voronoff , a Russian émigré working in Paris, developed an interest in reversing the effects of aging in elderly men who had lost their “zest for life.” He sliced a large number of chimpanzee or baboon testicles and implanted them in the testicles of old men. None of them had any effect. In fact they created infections and more complications. The concept of transplanting glandular tissue to produce hormones that would benefit the recipient was continued in the United States by John Brinkley, whose chosen donor was the goat, as he had been convinced by a local farmer of its sexual potency. He was later disbarred by the American Medical Association. In the 1960s, Keith Reemtsma at Tulane University in Louisiana—hypothesized that nonhuman primate kidneys might function in human recipients and thus be a successful treatment for renal failure. By then kidney transplantation from human to human had been established (in the 50s), but the availability of kidneys from deceased humans was extremely limited. Reemtsma selected the chimpanzee as the source of organs, because of its close evolutionary relationship to humans. He carried out 13 of these transplants. While all the chimpanzees died in great pain the experiments failed. One woman lasted 9 months but spent all that time strapped to a bed and hospital catheters. In another experiment scientists transplanted a pig kidney into a baboon. The baboon died in 5 months. But the scientists carried on with kidney transplants. Tom Starzl used baboons as donors in Colorado. His results were similar to those of Reemtsma. James Hardy, in 1964, tried to transplant a chimpanzee heart into a patient who had undergone amputations of both legs—and was in a semi-comatose state at the time the transplant was undertaken. The patient died within a few hours. The chimpanzee, of course, had been killed. In 1967 Christian Bernard also carried out two cardiac xenotransplants. Both failed. Perhaps the best known clinical cardiac xenotransplantation since Hardy’s attempt was that by Leonard Bailey, who transplanted a baboon heart into an infant girl, known as Baby Fae, in 1983. The graft underwent acute rejection and the patient died 20 days later. One of the reasons, which would appear common sense to an average, non medical person, is that baboons don’t have O blood type, which is donor blood. They have ABO which is incompatible with humans. Tom Starzl, who is considered one of the pioneers in the field of kidney and liver human to human transplantation, performed a handful of liver transplants between nonhuman primates and young patients in Colorado in the 1960s, with no success. As more immuno-suppressants became available, he performed two liver transplants from baboons into adult patients in the 1990s, with no survivors. In the meantime xenotransplantation of pig islet transplantation is under way in diabetic patients in New Zealand. A European group has given rhesus monkeys an artificially induced Parkinson like motor disease and is experimenting with genetically modified pig dopamine-producing cells from pig embryos into the monkey brain, so that this can eventually be done with people with Parkinson’s. No luck so far, but there is no shortage of monkeys being imported NEW DELHI TIMES The science of Xenotransplantation Photo Credit : Shutterstock from Mauritius. The people of Asia and Africa need new corneas. Experimental corneal xenotransplantation is being done. Transplanting pig corneas into monkey eyes. The recipient needs corticosteroid injections into the eyes for the rest of his life – if the 4 experiments work which they have not done so far. Nebraska Medical Center, is transplanting hearts from pigs into sheep. Pig xenotransplants of heart, kidneys, lungs and livers, into apes carries on. The results? Completely unsuccessful. Does that stop the scientists? Not yet. Clinics in Europe tout the efficacy of various animal tissues from placentas to blood cells, plasma and organs for a variety of conditions – from acne to anti-aging. There is no evidence that they work. The pig is now the creature that is being focused on. Why? Its genetic makeup is completely different from that of a human being. But the reasons are far more commercial. Its organs are the same size as humans, it is cheap to maintain and it has three litters a year, so pigs can be easily available. Does this make any scientific sense. No. But by the time they give up, xenotranplantation companies will have tortured and killed millions of pigs. In 1969, Nobel Prize winner Sir Peter Medawar, who is considered the father of transplant immunology, stated, “We should solve the problem of organ transplantation by using xenografts in less than 15 years.” It is now 2017 and we are no closer. Norman Shumway, the pioneer of heart transplantation, stated truthfully “xenotransplantation is the future of transplantation, and always will be.” The scientists are going to keep trying. They get paid for their research and, if they do succeed in producing usable organs from pigs, then there is a Nobel Prize at the end of the rainbow. Who cares about the animals. To join the animal welfare movement contact gandhim@nic.in, www.peopleforanimalsindia.org Home remedies for preventing tooth decay ental caries, also known as tooth decay, is a disease of the teeth resulting in damage to tooth structure. Dental caries is one of the most common preventable childhood disease; people are susceptible to this ailment throughout the lifetime. If not treated, tooth decay can cause pain, infection, and tooth loss. Here are just a few ways to reverse cavities naturally for you to consider: 1. Remove Sugar ◆◆ By Dr. Wasim Rasool Wani - Consultant Endodontist Specialist at Dantah Sugar is the worst culprit for causing tooth decay. Anyone who desires healthy, cavityfree teeth should avoid sugar. Not only does sugar feed oral bacteria that prevents a healthy flow of dental fluids, but it’s highly acidic and can literally decalcify or demineralize the structural content of teeth that create dental decay. This means staying away from soda, candy and baked goods with sugar. Additionally, use raw honey and maple syrup, and drink juices sparingly, as too much sugar can contribute to cavity formation. 2. Eliminate Phytic Acid Phytic acid is a mineral blocker and enzyme inhibitor found in grains, nuts, seeds and beans that can cause serious health problems in our diets. The main reason phytic acid has become an issue today is because we have stopped ancient food preparation techniques, such as sprouting or sourdough fermentation, which kills off the phytic acid. Phytic acid not only prevents you from absorbing minerals in your food, but it also leaches minerals out of your body, bones and teeth. Subsequently, the powerful antinutritional effects of phytic acid have been known to cause digestive disorders, lack of appetite, nutrient deficiencies and tooth decay. A good rule of thumb is to limit your grain consumption and stay completely clear from unfermented soy products. Because phytic acid is much higher in foods grown using modern high-phosphate fertilizers than those grown in natural compost, try to only eat foods that are organic. If you’re aiming to improve your health and reverse cavities naturally, foods high in phytic acid like grains, beans, nuts and soy should be avoided. However, if you soak grains or nuts and then sprout them or do sourdough fermentation, you can reduce phytic acid by around 50 percent to 100 percent. 3. Consume Raw Dairy and Nutrient- Rich Foods Raw dairy is filled with the vitamins and minerals that contribute to a healthy dental fluid flow and help maintain strong teeth and promote oral wellness. Thus, it’s a great way to get cavity-free teeth. Loaded with calcium, vitamin K2, vitamin D3, magnesium, phosphorus and fat-soluble vitamins, it’s a good idea to consume raw dairy products at least weekly. Remember, if you’re going to beat tooth decay, you need to increase your fat-soluble vitamin intake and mineral intake. Avoid processed foods, packaged foods or fast food. 4. Try Oil Pulling It is an oral detoxification procedure used for centuries by Ayurvedic medicine. Simply done by swishing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth for 20 minutes, this simple oral detoxification procedure has been claimed to cure many diseases like gingivitis. If you can’t do 20 minutes, three to five minutes is still good. Coconut oil and a drop or two of clove and/or tea tree essential oils is recommended for maximal antiseptic and antifungal power. Here are some tips: • The best time to oil pull is first thing in the morning right after you get out of bed. • Simply and gently move the oil in your mouth and through your teeth without swallowing any of it. • Don’t let the 20-minute time frame deter you. You won’t even notice 20 minutes have gone by if you do this during your normal morning routine (i.e., while you shower, put your clothes on and prep for the day). • After spitting the oil rinse your mouth with warm water. Use salt water for added antimicrobial properties. • Finally, brush your teeth as normal. For Full Article : http://www. newdelhitimes.com/home-remedies-forpreventing-tooth-decay By Dr. Wasim Rasool Wani - Consultant Endodontist & Specialist at Dantah
15 - 21 January, 2018 15 Entertainment & Lifestyle Oldman wins Globe for film drama actor in ‘Darkest Hour’ t took three decades of work, untold tolerating that same makeup and the rest of I layers of makeup and the fighting spirit what it took for him to play the role. of Winston Churchill for Gary Oldman to finally find his way to a major awards stage. Oldman took the Golden Globe for best actor in a drama film for playing Churchill in “Darkest Hour.” Early in his career, it appeared that Oldman was a breakout talent who would have shelves full of Golden Globes and Academy Awards by now — or at least loads of nominations. But despite 30 years of widely admired work this year’s Globes nomination was his first, and he’s had only a single Oscar nomination. He’s considered a lock to get another nomination, and is one of the favorites to win the best actor Academy Award. Oldman, 59, once thought the Golden Globe in particular was an award he’d never win, after calling the prize “meaningless” compared to other film awards, questioning the integrity of the selection process and saying the telecast was merely about ratings, not art. That all changed when presenters Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon announced his name on the awards night. “I feel very humbled and surprised to have been asked to this stage,” Oldman said as he grasped his trophy. He saved his most lavish praise for the technical artists who spent hours every morning rendering him nearly unrecognizable as Churchill. “I would like to thank my magnificent makeup team,” Oldman said. “Your artistry has no equal. You were kind, you were funny, you were patient, and we got through 63 applications.” He then thanked his wife Gisele Schmidt for “She told her friends, ‘I go to bed with Winston Churchill but I wake up with Gary Oldman,’” he said, “which I suppose is better than the other way around.” He also thanked on-screen wife Kristin Scott Thomas, for “putting up with all those awful cigars” he had to smoke as Churchill. While he was nominated for an Oscar for 2011’s “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” he had moved away from elite roles in more recent years, becoming better known for playing character roles in blockbuster franchises — Sirius Black in the “Harry Potter” movies, and Commissioner James Gordon in the “Dark Knight” Batman films. He was met with yells of “Sirius!” from the bleachers when he walked the red carpet before the show. It’s now more likely he’ll be synonymous with Churchill. In winning award night he beat an elite group of nominees: Daniel Day-Lewis for “Phantom Thread,” Tom Hanks for “The Post,” Denzel Washington for “Roman J. Israel Esq.,” and “Timothée Chalamet for “Call Me By Your Name.” Backstage after the show, he said he was grateful for one thing in his long career — that he never worked with Harvey Weinstein, whose name was little spoken at the Golden Globes but on everyone’s mind on a night that centered on ending Hollywood’s culture of sexual misconduct. “When I met him in 1992, I said ‘He gives me the creeps, let’s not work with that guy.’” Oldman remembered. “And I never did a Weinstein film.” Credit : Associated Press (AP) Photo Credit : AP Photo NEW DELHI TIMES Kimmel sees Seth Meyers as ‘litmus test’ for Oscars host A s the host of the Oscars in two months, Jimmy Kimmel watched Seth Meyers on the Golden Globes and felt that one of the monologue jokes was written specifically for him. Meyers said he felt like the first dog being sent into outer space, as the first awards show host since the flood of reports about sexual misconduct began with stories about Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein’s behavior. How would the audience react to jokes about the topic? “I do thank him for being that litmus test,” Kimmel said. The topic will surely be talked about on the Oscars, but he can’t write material too far in advance because it’s hard to predict what the public mood will be, or if other news breaks in the interim. “Who’s to say Harvey Weinstein is going to be alive in two months?” The “Time’s Up” movement took over the Golden Globes, from the comments that winners gave in accepting the awards to the black outfits worn by attendees to show solidarity for women. Kimmel said it was refreshing how it gave celebrities something to talk about besides fashion on the red carpet. “How can you argue that this is anything but cool?” he said. “It’s a good subject to take on.” One subject sure to come up at the Oscars is last year’s epic envelope mix-up in which Warren Beatty mistakenly proclaimed that “La La Land” was the best picture winner instead of “Moonlight.” If something that disastrous happens again, “everyone at ABC should be fired,” Kimmel said. Still, the comedian in him admitted that a repeat “would tickle me deeply.” Don’t expect ABC to shy away from the moment while promoting the upcoming show. While the network takes what happened seriously, ABC Entertainment President Channing Dungey said that “to not have fun with it would be silly.” Kimmel defended one of his stunts from last year’s Oscars broadcast, when he surprised a bus full of tourists and brought them into the theater to meet celebrities in the audience. It could have been a disaster. “Some said it was,” he said. But he feels it’s important to do something unexpected. “I do like there to be some danger in the show and I hope that it would be appreciated for what it is,” he said. “You don’t like to have everything buttoned down, because if you do, you’ll bore the audience.” This past year has been a big one for Kimmel, who competes with CBS’ Stephen Colbert and NBC’s Jimmy Kimmel in late night. He won attention for his emotional monologues on healthcare triggered by the needs of his infant son, who was born with a heart defect. Kimmel dismissed people who argued that he helped save former President Barack Obama’s healthcare law when they came at a time Republicans in Congress were considering repeal. He said it was weird to see the response to speaking out on the topic. “It is overwhelming and it is silly,” he said. “I think that sometimes you get too much credit and too much praise and this has been one of those times. But you have to accept it, because there are times when you feel the whole world is against you and you don’t understand why.” Credit : Associated Press (AP) Pink to sing national anthem at Super Bowl P ink is heading to the Super Bowl to sing the national anthem. The NFL announced that the pop star will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the game on Feb. 4 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Justin Timberlake is set to headline the halftime show. The Super Bowl will air live on NBC. Pink released her seventh studio album, “Beautiful Trauma,” in October. Its lead single, “What About Us,” is nominated for a Grammy this month. The Grammy- and Emmy-winning singer’s hits include “So What,” ‘’Get the Party Started” and “Just Give Me a Reason.” Credit : Associated Press (AP) Photo Credit : AP Photo Photo Credit : AP Photo www.NewDelhiTimes.com
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