2008年3月15日星期六

Symptoms of PPH Related to Fen Phen

Our heart is actually a system of two side-by-side pumps that circulate blood through two parallel loops of circulation. The right side of the heart pumps blood from the veins of the rest of the body to the lungs where it absorbs oxygen and eliminates carbon dioxide, and then returns to the heart.

This oxygen rich blood is then distributed to the rest of the body by the left side of the heart and the other loop.

Definitions:

Hypertension generally refers to elevated pressure in the loop serviced by the left side of the heart and is measured with a blood pressure cuff on our arm.

Pulmonary hypertension refers to increased pressure in the other loop of circulation and must be measured by other means (sensors within the heart or nearby vessels.)

Fen phen is the term used to describe the combination of two drugs, fenfluramine and phentermine.

The use of fen phen has been linked to two significant abnormalities, damage to heart valves (valvular heart disease) and PPH (Primary Pulmonary Hypertension).

Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH), a disease that has been associated with the use of fen phen, involves thickening and constriction of the capillaries in the lungs.

Capillaries are the tiniest blood vessels that exist between arteries (the vessels that cary blood away from the heart to the body and lungs) and veins (the vessels that return blood from the body or lungs to the heart).

Capillary membranes (the walls of capillaries) are where nutrients enter our cells and where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged.

This membrane becomes thickened and the tiny vessels (capillaries) constricted (tightened) as a consequence of exposure to fen phen. This causes an impaired exchange of gases and results in less than adequate supplies of oxygen to our cells and the sensation of difficult breathing. There is no cure for the damage to this membrane or the tiny blood vessels caused by fen phen.

The thickening and constriction seen with PPH (Primary Pulmonary Hypertension) also creates added resistance to blood flow in the lungs and hypertension (elevated pressure) in this loop of circulation. This is referred to as Pulmonary Hypertension.

Symptoms:

The primary symptoms of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) are shortness of breath and dizziness. The increased pressure and resistance may cause stress on the heart and lead to enlargement of the heart and eventually an accumulation (build up) of fluid in the liver and other tissues, such as the legs. This is referred to as edema.

Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) refers to Pulmonary Hypertension that occurs in the absence of underlying heart or lung disease, or other illnesses.

Diagnosis:

This disorder, PPH (Primary Pulmonary Hypertension), can be diagnoses after abnormalities are found using a chest x-ray, high-resolution CAT (Computerized Axial Tomography) scanning, pulmonary function tests and an echocardiogram. An angiogram (right heart catheterization) confirms the diagnosis.

Stunning Paua Shell - What Is It About?

In New Zealand abalone is called paua in the Maori language. It is difficult to harvest paua and the rights can only be arranged under legal Maori customary rights. The daily recreational ration is 10 paua per diver with a minimum shell length of 125 mm. The Ministry of Fisheries says that in the years of 2004 and 2005 approximately 1,000 tons of paua will be poached with about three fourths of that undersized.

New Zealands polished paua shells are common souvenirs because of their gorgeous blue, purple, gold and green hues. If you transport unprocessed abalone shells out of New Zealand you are breaking the law.

The amazing color of paua shells are completely natural are polished to gain maximum luster to show the rightful colors on the shell.

Paua is a certain species of abalone that is only found around New Zealand. Locals only utilize the natural paua that has washed up on the beach. They dont use fake color enhancers, plastic resin coatings, or dyes like some manufacturers do who sometimes harvest thin paua shells.

There are three different species of Paua found in New Zealand counting silver paua- Haliotis australis, Paua- Haliotis iris, and Virgin Paua-Haliotis virginea. Paua is a Maori name that was given to a small group of mono-valve mollusks found in their coastal waters.

Paua are found in the shallow coastal water along rocky shorelines in depths of about one to fifteen m. They feed on adjacent seaweed and can survive the strong tidal surges because they can cling to the rocks with their muscular foot.

The paua is actually ionic in New Zealand and its black muscular foot is considered a delicacy while its shell is used in jewelry and as keep sakes because it is one of the worlds most beautiful shells.

2008年3月5日星期三

Cappuccinos the Right Way!

Detoxification is a process and can be a gentle cleansing or
a more rigorous therapy, where many foods are completely
avoided over a long period of time.

The detoxifying program you would choose would depend for the
most part on the condition of your elimination system and your
ove-rall health.

Most places that serve cappuccinos in the United States have not trained their baristas in the art of properly frothing milk. The foam that they create is usually a dry, tasteless, large celled collection of bubbles that sit on top of the espresso like a meringue.

With a little care, you can create steamed milk that is velvety smooth like the texture of wet shaving cream. The bubbles will be so small that you can barely see them! This is the way its supposed to be, because this way, it will blend with the espresso, creating a harmony of the flavors instead of a dry, tasteless cap floating on top. Lets Begin.

First off, its important to start with cold milk thats just out of the fridge. Pour the milk into the steaming pitcher until it is just about 1/3 of the way full. Milk will double to triple in volume after the frothing process. A stainless steel pitcher works best. It will dissipate some of the heat, allowing more time to infuse air into the milk before the milk gets too hot.

Also use a thermometer to get the milk to the correct temperature of 145 degrees. There are many thermometers made for this purpose that will clip onto the side of the pitcher for convenience.

The Technique:

Purge the steam wand onto a damp towel by releasing the valve for a few seconds. Be very careful not to burn yourself, the steam will be extremely hot. This purging will get all of the water out so you dont get it in your milk.

Next, submerge the wand into the milk and quickly turn the steam on full power. Avoid letting the tip of the wand come out of the milk. This will cause splattering and create large, tasteless bubbles.

There are many other diet's and detox therapies, these are just a few common methods. Regular body detoxification is a good preventative action and promotes a healthier present and future!

Adjust the wand so that it is pointing off center in order to get the milk to flowing in a rapid, circular motion. Maintaining this fast, circulating vortex is vital.

Then, slowly lower the pitcher until the tip of the wand is just below the surface of the milk (keeping the circulation going). When you can hear a hissing noise, similar to bacon frying, you have reached the perfect position for the wand to inject air into the milk.

Try to maintain this hissing noise while keeping the milk rotating. You will have to slowly lower the pitcher as the milk volume rises in order to keep the wand tip just under the surface.

By keeping the milk flowing in a rapid circle, any large bubbles that are accidentally created will be rolled into the milk and eliminated. Continue steaming until the milk reaches 145 degrees. Be careful not to get the milk too hot, it will scald giving it a bad taste.

Thats pretty much it! If you have a few large bubbles, you can try to get rid of them by tapping the bottom of the pitcher lightly on the counter. Serve immediately and enjoy some of the silkiest frothed milk you have ever tasted!

One more thing, now that you know how to properly steam the milk, notice how few coffee houses have baristas that take care in this process. Very few use thermometers and end up scalding the milk, or leaving it too cold.

Most will just leave the pitcher sitting there while the wand blows into the milk. Some will use an up and down motion, but this does absolutely nothing for creating tiny, velvety bubbles. Its the rolling action of the milk thats needed.

If you find a barista that shows this skill of frothing milk, then stay with him! Hes been trained and probably takes pride in what he does.

What the body doesn't use or can't pass, it stores. One example is the accumulation of fat. These are excesses in intake which aren't burned off and the body is unable to cope with therefore it stores in what can eventually become an obvious and undesirable way.

Handy Features to Look for in an Emergency Residential Generator

From the dizzying array of choices one is presented with when beginning a search for the proper emergency residential generator to suit your needs. However, if one is new to the practice of managing their electrical power generation, the choices might not even make sense. There are few features that can make the use of a standby generator far more safe, efficient and pleasant. And since they all cost money, it's good to have a feel for just how important each of these features is to you.

Though it seems like a very simple thing, the inclusion of wheels on the portable generator chassis can save you from a life-long injury. Even relatively small farm or residential generators can weigh more than most people should or could lift, unassisted. This might be the least expensive upgrade you can look for in a system, but it could ultimately save you more money in any other given the high cost of health care.

Another simple adaptation is a large fuel tank. Many small, portable generators have inadequate tanks some as small as 5 or 10 gallons. Safe filling procedures require at least a few minutes to cool off before they can be safely filled, since the surfaces of residential-sized generators often get hot enough to actually ignite petroleum vapours. Obviously, that would be a problem.

Because of this gap in run time, it's nice to not have to fill them every few hours. A 30 gallon tank means the average standby generator only needs to be filled every day or so. Many petrol tanks are 300-600 gallons. If you have a heating system that uses the same fuel, you could combine the storage facilities, and it's something to consider when considering purchasing a diesel or gasoline generator versus LP/propane generators.

This does, of course, presuppose you have 30 gallons of fuel lying about. If you don't, you should. It is never a bad idea to have fuel in storage, on site, though it does no good for anything other than as a pyro-accelerant or industrial solvent if not properly stored for more than 30 days. After a month, any fuel should be considered suspect unless preservation methods have been employed.

As such, your fuel shoud be well-contained: not liable to be blown up by anything or evaporate into varnish. Also, it should be protected from getting water (or, more precisely, water vapour) in it. Unless you're storing your fuel in a desert cave, there will be temperature fluctuations that can cause water to condense on the sides of the tank and cause poor performance in this "distilled" state.

Because backup or standby generators are often quite noisy, most urban and suburban areas have laws and ordinances that ban the use of generators. However, in the case of portable generators in an emergency, your neighbours aren't likely to mind if you're generous with charging batteries for flash lights and otherwise sharing your power when everyone is out.

Regardless, residential generators can be found that are not nearly as loud as many of the less expensive types by looking for some characteristic engine types and styles. Often times noise is the result of something that is causing friction or some other type of loss in the system, so quiet engines are often more fuel efficient, though sometimes a bit choked.

Overhead valve type residential generators also have the advantage of being relatively quiet to operate. Whether diesel, gasoline or propane / LP, generator designs that include this more direct type of valve action are more reliable. They are more resistant to friction damage and rarely "throw a rod" or suffer from nearly the same incidence of poor valve fit than older types of internal combustion residential generators.

Automatic idle control keeps the engine from running at top speed when it's not necessary. This graduated type of throttling automatically ratchets the available residential generator power down while allowing the You can also expect relatively quiet operation during these low power events, though the performance when they're pushed to maximum is no quieter than a similarly equipped residential generator without an automatic idle control.

Of course, the main advantage of idle control is the greater fuel economy it affords. This savings can be quite dramatic in the case of a well designed residential generator system with enough headroom to handle just about any contingency.

Another very handy feature is an automatic switch that shuts down any standby generator when the level of engine oil is too low to ensure proper lubrication. Such a calamity is far more likely to happen with a residential generator (as opposed to the family automobile) since you're not right next to it to hear when odd noises start. An engine that is not observed and maintained can seize up and cause severe engine damage.

Many of manufacturers employ such features in their designs, including most of the big names such as Winco, Gillette and Parmac. Once you've decided how much power and what the requirements of your site are, the rest is what impacts how you'll actually use the device. If you'll only be using a standby generator once every 20 years, some minor inconveniences are just that whereas some are extremely burdensome. Knowing what your options are will allow you to make the best choice to avoid trouble later.

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport Tops Inside Lines Sport Sedans

Edmunds.coms online car magazine Inside Line has recently announced that the 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport has won the latest comparison test of sport sedans.

There were five sport sedans that the editorial team of Inside Line has compared and these are as follows:

2007 BMW 335i (MSRP $46,650 and Edmunds.com True Market Value (TMV) of $44,290) -- equipped with a six-cylinder, 300-horsepower engine and six-speed automatic transmission;

2008 Cadillac CTS (MSRP $44,715 and TMV of $44,159) -- equipped with a six-cylinder, 304-horsepower engine and six-speed automatic transmission;

2007 Infiniti G35 Sport (estimate $36,800 and TMV of $34,928) -- equipped with high quality Nissan floor mats, a six-cylinder, 306-horsepower engine and five-speed automatic transmission;

2008 Lexus IS350 (MSRP $47,815 and TMV of $47,651) -- equipped with a six-cylinder, 306-horsepower engine and six-speed automatic transmission; and

2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport (MSRP $41,935 and TMV of $41,841) -- equipped with a six-cylinder, 268-horsepower engine and seven-speed automatic transmission

According to Inside Line Senior Road Test Editor Josh Jacquot their chosen five sedans are excellent cars and its simply hard to find a reason not to buy any of them. However, the Infiniti G35 Sport from among the five chosen sport sedans possess an engaging driving character, high feature content, and above all an affordable price which adds up to its appeal.

The 2007 BMW 335i ranks second and was highly praised for performance and comfort. Meanwhile, the 2008 Cadillac CTS was in third place and was chosen for its superior interior design and quality. Toyotas 2008 Lexus IS350 came in fourth place and was included for its performance. In the fifth place is the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 which the editors which the editors has praised for its high-end audio and navigation system.

Vehicle Rankings from 2007-2008 Sport Sedan Comparison Test

1. 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport
2. 2007 BMW 335i
3. 2008 Cadillac CTS
4. 2008 Lexus IS350
5. 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350

Here are some of the specs of the 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport just for you to have an idea of why it won the comparison test conducted by Inside Line on sports sedans:

Performance & Efficiency

3,498 cc 3.5 liters V 6 front engine with 95.5 mm bore, 81.4 mm stroke, 10.6 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder VQ35
Premium unleaded fuel 91
Fuel economy EPA highway (mpg): 26 and EPA city (mpg): 19
Multi-point injection fuel system
20 gallon main premium unleaded fuel tank
Power: 228 kW , 306 HP SAE @ 6,800 rpm; 268 ft lb , 363 Nm @ 5,200 rpm

Handling, Ride & Braking

Four-wheel ABS
Brake assist system
Four disc brakes including four ventilated discs
Electronic brake distribution
Electronic traction control via ABS & engine management
Immobilizer
Spacesaver steel rim internal spare wheel
Stability control
Wishbone front suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs , multi-link rear suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs

Exterior & Aerodynamics

Body color front and rear bumpers
Chrome/bright trim around side windows
Driver and passenger power partial-painted door mirrors
External dimensions: overall length (inches): 187, overall width (inches): 69.8, overall height (inches): 57.2, wheelbase (inches): 112.2, front track (inches): 59.8, rear track (inches): 60.2 and curb to curb turning circle (feet): 35.4
Front fog lights
Projector beam lens Bi-Xenon headlights
Heat reflective glass
Luxury trim alloy & leather on gearknob
Pearl paint
Fixed rear window with defogger
Tinted glass on cabin
Weights: curb weight (lbs) 3,497
Windshield wipers with automatic intermittent wipe

2008年1月5日星期六

Urge Incontinence: The Case of the Overactive Bladder

Urgency is a word which describes a pressing necessity, like there is a need to do something immediately. It is a normal feeling to have most especially in situations that are of utmost importance. Paying the electricity bill that has been long overdue, or finishing a business report that will be presented during a board meeting --- these are only a few examples of urgent matters that we cannot afford to delay. But if a person feels the urge to pass water, a urinary problem might be involved. Most people need to pass water every three to four hours during the day and up to once or twice in the night. For normal urination, the muscular wall of the bladder has to contract at the same time as a valve mechanism at the outlet of the bladder relaxes.

Urge incontinence is a urinary problem characterized by a sudden uncontrollable urge to urinate and frequent urination. It is often necessary to use the bathroom as frequently as every two hours and bed wetting is common. With urge incontinence, the bladder contracts and squeezes out urine involuntarily. Sometimes a large amount of urine is released.

With urge incontinence, the bladder contracts and squeezes out urine involuntarily. Sometimes a large amount of urine is released. Accidental urination can be triggered by sudden change in position or activity, hearing or touching running water and drinking a small amount of liquid.

Urge incontinence occurs when a person experiences a strong desire to empty the bladder, followed almost immediately by an involuntary loss of urine. People with urge incontinence complain of urgency with little or no warning, and may experience troublesome symptoms such as not reaching the toilet in time, a frequent need to urinate, passing of urine several times during the night, and bedwetting. The volume of urine loss varies from small to large amounts depending on bladder capacity.

The most common cause of urge incontinence is inappropriate bladder contractions. Two bladder abnormalities commonly cause the disorder. The most common is a neurogenic bladder (overactive type), which is caused by brain injury or spinal cord injury or disease that interrupts nerve conduction above the sacrum and results in loss of bladder sensation and motor control.

Medical professionals describe such a bladder as unstable, or overactive. A doctor might call the condition reflex incontinence if it results from overactive nerves controlling the bladder. Urge incontinence can mean that the bladder empties during sleep, after drinking a small amount of water, or when one touches water or hear it running like when someone else is taking a shower or washing dishes.

There are several neurological diseases and disorders associated with a neurogenic bladder, including the following:

Alzheimer's disease

Multiple sclerosis

Parkinson's disease

Ruptured intervertebral disk

Stroke

Syphilis

Traumatic brain or upper spinal cord injury

Tumors located in the brain or spinal cord

Urge incontinence can also be cause by a bladder infection. Diabetes can cause excessive production of urine and very frequent trips to the toilet.

Involuntary actions of bladder muscles can occur because of damage to the nerves of the bladder, to the nervous system (spinal cord and brain), or to muscles themselves. Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, brain tumors, and other types of that occurs during surgery can harm bladder nerves or muscles.

Other causes for urge incontinence include atrophic vaginitis, diet, caffeine, and carbonated beverages. Spicy foods, and tomato-based foods can also irritate the bladder and cause muscle instability in some patients which can result to urge incontinence. Treatment with bladder retraining often cures the problem. Medication may also be advised to relax the bladder. Advice from a continence advisor is also usually helpful.

2008年1月4日星期五

Mercedes 400E: One Remarkable Sedan


Despite the new models that Mercedes-Benz is developing and introducing, some models are simply remarkable that they continuously evolve into a much better vehicle. An example of which is the Mercedes 400E which was introduced in the year 1992 as the first E-class V8. But two years later the name was change to E420. It was also given some trim changes just to justify the change of name. The production of the 400E/E420 cars covers period from 1992 to 1995 model years with some 15,425 cars sold in the United States at that time. The 400E/E420 has features that appeal to mid-50s customers who enjoy the V8 power and all the comfort that comes with the E-class.

The 400E sedan has a weight of 3,660 lb and can travel 60 miles per hour in a matter of seven seconds. It is also capable of traveling 150+ mph all day long and yet delivers a mileage figure that is almost on par with its 6-cylinder siblings. The transmission, braking upgrades, and suspension provide the extra power while the tire size remained the same at 195/65/15. The Mercedes 400E is known for its 2.24 rear differential hampered performance off the line but what many do not know that performance on the highway is the true expertise of this model. The mixture of lots of smooth torque together with the tall gearing provides the acceleration feel of a jet aircraft that is about to takeoff. The 400E just like the rest of the luxury vehicles that Mercedes has is equipped with common options like the ASR traction control, trunk mounted CD changer, heated front seats, integrated cellular phone, and a rear window sunshade.

The Mercedes 400E performance parts include the 4.2 liter M119.975 engine which has replaced the 4196cc or 256.1 cubic inches engine. The new 4.2 liter M119.975 engine delivers 275 horsepower at 5700 rpm and 295 lb-ft of potent torque at 3900 rpm. The variable valve timing on the intake cams as well as the long intake runners enables the engine to rev up 90% of peak torque not lower than 1500rpm. Other technical highlights of the 400E includes its 32 valve DOHC V8 which comprised of an aluminum alloy block and heads designed for weight reduction, LH sequential multiport fuel injection, silicon crystal cylinder liners to lessen friction and antiknock control---All these are managed by a Control Area Network data management system. The EPA fuel figure rate of the 400E is 18mpg for city driving and 24 mpg for highway driving. Each of the Mercedes 400E part utilized for the 3,660 lb sedan is tested for quality and performance.

The 400E offers more power improvements compared to the previous 300E and E320 cars. The car is so powerful that drivers are pinned to the seat whenever upper rev changes. Thats the punch of the 400E. Similarly, the brakes were also improved and are par with many sports cars. Its only drawback is that it lacks the nimble and tossable feel of the previous 300E which has been lost in the V8 performance.

In addition the handling limits of the V8 has easily match those of the earlier cars unfortunately the increased in the weight of the 400E has somewhat numbed the feel of earlier models.