New Korean Drug for use in Hepa B Disease

Korean Food and Drug Administration is proud to announce the development of a new Hepa B drug Levovir Capsule; the new drug that will be made available in the market for patients treating hepa B infections.

The drug, developed by Bukwang Pharmaceuticals, Co., was a product of an intensive 10 years of clinical research and drug development which costs about $96 million since day 1.

Levovir Capsule is the first local drug that was approved for the treatment of the above disease. Clevudine, Levovir's main ingredient developed in the United States, is legally sold and developed by Bukwang Pharmaceuticals, Co. Please go to The Korean Herald for more information.

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More Blog Topics at:

http://hivaidsresourcecenter.blogspot.com/
http://healthlines.blogspot.com/

Green Tea improves patients' conditions with Liver Fibrosis

Reading on HIVandHEpatitis.com website, it shows that patients drinking green tea have shown positive response to slow down the development of liver fibrosis among patients with Hepatitis, especially Hepatitis C.

The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases' (AASLD) annual meeting on October this year has shown preclinical trial studies and observations which shows how green tea components (polyphenols) can act as anti-fibrotic agent for patients with chronic hepatitis C infection.

The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of green tea polyphenols provides a substantial clues that it will soon be explored to extract substances that will help patients with hepatitis infections to avoid liver damage and collapse. More information at HIVandHEpatitis.com.

Adefovir Dipivoxil and Telbivudine effective for HBV Treatment

The 57th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Liver Diseases (AASLD) found Adefovir Dipivoxil to be more effective in controlling virus reproduction for chronic Hepatitis B patients. Moreover, during the 3 years of research, patient's showed biological tolerance on daily consumption of 10 mg the said drug, showing no other signs of secondary disease resulting to the adverse effects of Adefovir Dipivoxil.

Similarly, Telbivudine, another antiviral drug used for Hepatitis B, was helpful if a patient is switched to Telbivudine viral treatment after 24 weeks of initial Lamivudine use. More readings on docguide.com. (1) (2)

Hepatitis B Viruses Replicating

TYZEKA™ (telbivudine): Newly Approved treatment for Chronic Hepatitis B

Another chronic Hepatitis B drug treatment option is now out in the market for use among approriate clients. Novartis was so excited to inform the public of the US Food and Drug Admnistration's FDA's approval for the novel drug telbivudine, also known as TYZEKA™.

TYZEKA™ woks on like other antiviral drugs which suppresses the multiplication of Hepa B viruses in the blood which characteristically infects liver cells. Hepatitis B virus damages this organ of the body which leads to scarring (cirrhosis) and eventually liver cancer and death.

This drug was specifically seen to be very effective in inhibiting viral replication within the next 24 weeks of initial treatment while also noted for its decreased side effects. The degree of tolerability may run from mild to moderate compared to the traditional lamivudine (another anti-hepa b virus drug).

Novartis is on among the best pharmaceuticals companies worldwide and is known to develop medicines related to Neuroscience, Infectious Diseases, Ophtalmics, Bone-Arthritis, Oncology, Hematology and Cardiovascular diseases and metabolism, etc.

For more information, please visit Novartis.com.

Hepatitis B: More Infectious than HIV

It is a fact that hepatitis is 100 times more infectious than HIV and this is the same reason why governments all over the globe are doing all they can to curb the growing numbers of people being infected by Hepatitis B virus and its variants. To date, more than 600,000 million people are infected by Hepatitis B.

Vaccine

More than 60% of the population do not know that hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable disease. The United States have developed a plan to fully eradicate Hepatitis B through a comprehensive vaccination program to protect all uninfected citizens from this debilitating disease.

A YouGov study indicatest that more than 89% of people are not aware that Hepatitis B can cause liver cancer and cirrhosis. Hepatitis causes cancer by infecting liver cells and disrupt their normal replication and healing process. This disruption, if not thwarted, will lead to lifelong liver cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and hepatocellular carcinoma (cancer disease of the liver).

Education, medical support, research for cure and treatment and vaccination among all uninfected population are the key to the total eradication of the disease. Let us urge our government to finally set a radical change to our government's priorities in order to help our friends and families who are affected by this highly infectious illness.

Yes for life! Yes for cure! Eradicate Hepatitis B now!

Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center of Bucks County

I was impressed by the creation of the first Biotechnology Center in the United States at the State of Pennsylvania. This research facility was built with the initiative of the Hepatitis B foundation and Delaware Valley College in order to respond to the growing needs of the country and the world regarding the nature of some diseases, including hepatitis B and ultimately work on their cures.

While I must say that the Philippine government has platforms for creating a proper avenue to properly educate people about the horrors of hepatitis, it seemed not effective owing to lack of funding and poor plan execution among local officials.

The Philippines has a lot of talents which can contribute to the rising need for professionls in the field of pathology and biotechnology but are poorly utilized due to the government's inappropriate focus for its priorities. Sad but true; real brain drain.

Genetically Modified Virus: Cure for Hepatits B

University of Witwatersrand, a leading university in Johannesburg, South Africa have found a new way to combat the spread of hepatitis B virus from replicating and potentially increasing the susceptibility of the liver for further damage from this infectious disease.

The traditional way of treating hepatitis B infection is through the use of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). Due to relative cost of these drug treatments, countries, specially those that belong to the Third World, are unable to meet the needed supply of their population that are currently battling this highly infectious virus.

Adenovirus and RNA interference (RNAi)

Viruses normally found inside the human body, adenoviruses, were found to be a very important experimental subjects in the pursuit of a cure for hepatitis B. Adenoviruses are normally found in the human body and do not cause any health injury.

A new technique in genetic engineering, called RNA interference, aims to terminate the usual process of gene replication among virus and cancer cells.

It was found out that the introduction of RNA interference in the genetic library of adenoviruses modifies the virus to become helpful in using combating gene replication among HBV particles living inside liver cells (hepatocytes).

Genetically modified adenoviruses enters the liver cells that are infected with hepatitis B virus and halts their reproductive ability. This in turn debilitates the virus and destroys them along the process.

Sergio Carmona and his colleagues at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa are spearheading this promising study and hopes to begin the preliminary human trial really soon after a successful mice experimental trial which shows up to 90% hepa b virus clearance in the human blood and the liver cells.

The conference held in Chiba, Japan, 2006 Conference of International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy of Cancer, announces this new hope for a more robust treatment or possible cure for hepatitis B virus.

For more information, please visit SciDev.net. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best for this will definitely help our families and friends who have loved ones who are infected by this virus.

I am African: A Cause for a Global Fight Against HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS is a worldwide pandemic that deserves attention and action from each and everyone of us. A concerted action using education and correcting behavior that may put you and your lovedones at risk of infection and a means (antiretroviral drugs for example) to fight and prevent the disease from spreading across nations is paramount.

What is HIV/AIDS?

Human Immunodeficiencey Virus (HIV) is a virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). AIDS only manifest in person with HIV if the immune system of such person completely collapsed to the point that even organisms that would normally not cause serious disease to healthy person may turn out to be life-threatening.

HIV attacks specific whiteblood cell (CD4 +T Cells) that plays a very important role in immunity. The continous death of CD4+ T cells is fast enough before the entire body can even start producing a newer batch of these cells. The special designation in CD4+ would mean that these types of cells contain special receptors to where the HIV virus attach, enters the cell and starts manipulating the cell's reprodutive machinery (taking control of its DNA reproduction process).

When the number of CD4 +T Cells falls to a specific level, the infected individual may start exhibiting some of the symptoms of AIDS.

Current Statistics

There are currently more than 40 million documented cases of people living with HIV/AIDS according to a 2006 Report on the global AIDS epidemic. The number is a rough estimate of the number of people who have previously been tested and marked positive for the existence of the infectious virus in their body.

Due to the stigma brought about by the media exposure of HIV/AIDS, more and more people refuses to get tested thus making the global fight for HIV/AIDS, not completely successful.

I am African

Keep a Child Alive foundation is a global fight to help Africa curb the increasing number of HIV/AIDS orphans and help fund the budget that would be needed for the production of enough Antiretroviral drugs to treat the population infected with HIV and people exhibiting AIDS symptoms.

Let's act together and be part of this cause! A cause for treatment and cure!

Julius

I am African: Keep A Child Alive
How does HIV cause AIDS?

Razorblades and Toothbrushes May Transmit Hepatitis B Virus

The 46th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy probed on the possibility of Hepatitis B infection with the use of equipments that can come in contact with blood such as razorblades, toothbrushes, etc.

In a surveillance research conducted on barber shops in Turkey, it was found out that "hepatitis B DNA was detected on almost 8% of the razors collected". This fact highlighted another possibility of transmission route of Hepatitis B and other strains.

Furthermore, the conference stresses "the importance of not sharing household objects such as razors toothbrushes, and nail clippers, as this can create the possibility for transmission (Can Razor Blades Transmit Hepatitis B Virus?: HIVandHepatitis.com)

I am particulary wary on the possibility of HBV transmission in the Philippines for a lot of local barber shops and salons offering haircut and manicure/pedicure services are not aware on the health dangers that used razorblades can bring to all of their customers. I just hope that local officials would make the initial move to draft a resolution or city ordinance to stop the practice of using used razorblades and sterilize manicure/pedicure articles before using them to their customers.

Below are just some of the most preventive measures against Hepatitis B infection which are taken from Hepatitis B Organization.

Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable disease. There is a safe and effective vaccine to protect infants, children and adults from hepatitis B. Billions of doses have been given worldwide. Learn more.

All sex partners, family and close household members of a chronically infected person should be screened and vaccinated. Reassure patients and families that hepatitis B is not casually transmitted - it is spread through blood, not by coughing, sneezing, hugging or sharing food.

Additional Prevention Measures
In addition to vaccination, there are other simple ways to help stop the spread of hepatitis B:

• Wash your hands thoroughly after any potential exposure
• Practice safe sex with all partners
• Avoid direct contact with blood and bodily fluids
• Clean up blood spills with a fresh diluted bleach solution
• Cover all cuts carefully
• Avoid sharing sharp items such as razors, nail clippers, toothbrushes, and earrings or body rings
• Discard sanitary napkins and tampons into plastic bags
• Avoid illegal street drugs (injecting, inhaling, snorting, popping pills)
• Do not donate blood or body organs
• Make sure new, sterile needles are used for ear or body piercing, tattoos, and acupuncture

For more information, please visit the following refrence websites:

HIVandHepatitis.com
Hepatitis B Organization


Julius

Antiretroviral Therapy for Patients with HIV-HBV Coinfection

It was shown that people who have Hepatitis B virus-HIV (HBV-HIV) coinfection have a greater chances of developing advanced liver disease than those who only have monoinfections. Also, it was shown that HIV patients who have acuted HBV infection have lesser chances of recovery, that is, removing the virus from the system.

In an excerpt from HIVandHepatitis.com , it reads:

HIV-infected adults with acute HBV infection are less likely to eliminate the virus compared with HIV negative adults (23% vs 4%). Without hepatitis B treatment, HIV-HBV coinfected patients have higher HBV DNA levels and a longer duration of viremia, but may have lower transaminase (liver enzyme) levels compared with HBV monoinfected patients. HIV-HBV coinfected individuals also have a higher rate of liver-related morbidity than persons with either virus alone.

What makes transaminase important in the determination of liver infection along with its health is discussed briefly in the article in Wikipedia below:

The biochemical hub of the body, the liver, has a variety of transaminases to synthesize and break down amino acids and to interconvert energy storage molecules. The concentrations of these in the serum (the non-cellular portion of blood) are normally low. However, if the liver is damaged, the hepatocyte cell membrane becomes more permeable and some of the enzymes leak out into the blood stream.

While it is very important that both infection should be treated accordingly, the type of treatment should be based on individual need and current health situation. Symptoms that are currently manifesting should be treated first before looking into other possible factors that as, I quote,

* the need for combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV
* severity of liver disease
* likelihood of treatment response, and
* potential adverse events

For more information, please click on the Post Title Link to lead you to the website source. Thank you.

Julius

Hepatitis B as a precondiction for Education, Employment , etc.

In a news just recently posted over the web, a school in China has discrimiated at least 19 students for the sole reason of carrying Hepatitis B virus. Urumqi, Xinjiang's capital, issued a city ordinance regarding banning the provision of education to students (and other people) who are afflicted by the disease.

Although the reason for banning the students from attenting school is to protect the other student's interest, it is still not universally acceptable to use existing Hepa B infection as a precondition for receiving education and employment. This is something that every government all over the globe should be focusing on and start drafting laws that should stop the
discrimatory pratice of banning individuals who are infected with this virus.

Hepatitis B virus is an infectious virus that is spread through the following activities:

• Sexual contact
• Sharing needles among drug users
• From mother to baby during childbirth
• Exposure to sharp objects that are used in Hepa B lab testing, etc.

The virus is not spread through normal day-to-day or casual activities like sharing eating and drinking utensils, sneezing, shaking hands, hugging, etc.

The effective prevention against Hepatitis B is abstinence, loyalty to your sexual partner and yet the most effective is vaccination.

Vaccination provides a high level of protection for people who are well exposed to the virus. It prevents them from developing serious liver complications out of the infection from it. People from the risk group (those who have a greater chances of acquiring the disease due to exposure) are required to receive vaccination.

For more information about vaccination, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Julius

Lower Blood Cholesterol for HIV patients with HCV co-infection

In the 46th Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy it has been discussed that there is a relationship between reduced possibility of hyperlipidaemia (increased cholesterol) for HIV patients who are coinfected with hepatitis C virus due to regular intake of Anti-retroviral drugs (ART).

Among the 1034 patients who took part in the study, where 729 are HIV infected and 305 are co-infected with HCV and are taking interteron anti-retroviral drug, there was significantly lesser possibility of elevated cholesterol levels in blood and are on a manageable level. HIV patients and are not co-infected by HCV and are not taking ART are seen to have elevated cholesterol level.

For more information please visit AIDSMap for additional information on HIV antiretroviral-related hyperlipidaemia is mitigated by HCV co-infection.

Julius

Hepatitis: A Liver to Live

Perhaps, the liver is considered to be one of the most important organ of the body. Its primary role is connected to digestion or the metabolism of nutrients taken from food. The hormonal secretions of the liver are enough to support most of more than 500 life functions that this wonderful organ can accomplish.

Below are just some of the most important functions of the Liver organ:

1. Secretes bile, a substance that helps dissolve fats
2. Stores and secretest glycogen, a sugar molecule stored being stored by the liver.
3. Activates enzymes in order for them to perform their various chemical functions
4. Detoxification of hamrful material that is present in the blood.
5. Helps in the creation or synthesis of blood clotting factors, a very important plasma protein, etc.

The liver can lose its optimal effectiveness in performing these critical functions if it is abused and not taken care of properly. Eating foods that are not healthy and contains toxic substances and coloring could damage the liver.

Drinking and smoking are also factors in irriversible liver destruction. Diseases of the liver, including bacterial and viral hepatitis can also cause the liver to breakdown and lose some of its vital functions.

Individuals afflicted with Hepatitis, especially Hepatitis B virus, are advised to take regular checkups in order know the condition of the liver and provide recommendations on the type of medication they need to take.

Maximum surveillance on the number of people afflicted and assessment on the progression of the hepatitis B virus in the body is particularly important so that the public will be educated on how they can protect themselves and take care of their health and take treatments that will help them slow down the virus and eliminate some of its harsh physical consequences.

For more information, please visit The American Liver Foundation's at www.liverfoundation.org.
Packet online also provides website that can help you find a liver specialist in your area. Liver specliaists at Princeton Healthcare System carries certifications in diagnosing and providing treatment for patients who are afflicted with Hepatitis virus and its strains. Please visit www.princetonhcs.org for more information or cal them directly at (888) 742-7496.

Julius

Asians Badly Hit By Hepatitis B

People in Asia are the ones who are most affected by the pandemic Hepatitis B infection. In china alone, around 300,000 Chinese people are being infected every year by this deadly liver virus.

In a recent forum conducted by some members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering in China have gathered in order to debate on the most effective preventive measures against the disease and possible treatment to be given to those who are already infected.

It is estimated that more than 120 million Chinese citizens are infected with this deadly virus and more and more people are being infected at a rate of 9.7 percent each year. The two societies collaborating in this effort are expecting the rate to decrease by 2 to 3 percent by the year 2010.

For more information, please click visit the news here.

Julius

World Hepatitis Awareness Day 2006

October 1 was marked as the World Hepatitis Awareness Day 2006 and it is during this time that hepatitis patient association worldwide promotes awareness to the growing population of individuas who are infected by this deadly disease.

It is but true that more than 600 million people worldwide are infected by the disease and more and more people are not aware that they are infected which may possibly reach 1.2 Billion. Although the call for an international venture on the hepatitis research has been successful, the development of a more potent drugs for the treatment and possibly, cure for hepatitis has not yet been done.

There are possibly a lot of hindrances to the development of an effective plan towards the eradication of hepatitis around the globe and some are I have listed below:

1. Economic Condition. Lack of Funding for the education and provision of treatment for people who have Hepatitis B in a certain country or area,
2. Personal Objection towars Vaccines. Some are not convinced on the effectiveness of hepatitis vaccines that are available for use.
3. Ineffective Program Planning of Governments Worldwide

Today is hightime for everybody to know what hepatitis is and how you can prevent yourself from being infected and how you can possibly protect your loved ones if already infected with the disease.

Vaccine still remans the best preventive measures agaisnt hepatitis infection although there are no availble vacciens for some species of hepatitis.

If you would like to know more information about hepatitis and ways on how you can prevent yourself from being infected, please visit the following websites below.

Hepatitis: Centers for Disease Control
Hepatitis: World Health Organization

Julius

Konjugation Galore!

Hallo! The German class last Saturday was AWESOME! It was my first day with Frau Nerri (The teacher/Die Lehrerin). I was originally scheduled to take the Intro Deutsch in another class but chose to be with Frau Nerri instead.

Nevertheless, I joined the class which is on its 3rd meeting! I was a bit excited for she speaks fluently in German/Deutsch. One thing that surprised me was that, she seldoms speaks in English, instead, she monopolizes the discussion with phrases and statements in naked German! :-D

At first, she entered the room and bombarded us with questions about our assignments (at least I know what she was talking about back then haha!) but when she started asking individually, I was trembling and can't even speak even using the local dialect!

Fortunately, I was able to cope up fast with the help of my classmates and Frau Nerri herself. She was good but she left us something to do at home! Konjugation galore! Among the basic statements I learned are listed below. :-) Enjoy!

Communication in the classroom

Asking About he Meaning of the Word

Was heisßt "book" auf Deutsch? + Das Buch
Was bedeutet "Jahr"? + Auf Englisch "year".

Asking about the pronunciation of a word

Wie spricht man das?

Asking for the spelling of a word?

Wie schreibt man das?

Asking if something is correct?

Ist das richtig?
Stimmt das?

Saying you don't know something

Tut mir Leid, ich weiß es nicht.

Saying you do not understand something

Ich verstehe nicht.

Asking someone to repeat something

Wie bitte?

Asking someone to speak more slowly

Sprechen Sie bitte langsamer.

Die Lehrerin sagt...

Bitte wiederholen Sie.
Bitte lesen Sie.
Hören Sie bitte zu.
Buchstabieren Sie das bitte.
Lauter bitte.
Stehen Sie bitte auf.
Schreiben Sie das bitte an die Tafel.
Öffen Sie bitte das Buch auf Seite...
Noch mal bitte.

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Hehehe. Kind of difficult to read but the pronunciation is quite straightforward. They are pronounced as they are spelled most of the time. That's what I like about the German language. Thanks for dropping by! Bis zum nächsten mal!

Julius

Beat That! All German Nouns are Capitalised and have Gender!

Although I have been reading German text for quite a while, its just recently that I have noticed that some words are always capitalized and some are not. Searching for the part of speech to which they belong, I realized that all of them are NOUNS! (Stupid me hehe). In the same instance, I have also discovered that all German nouns have gender (German like other European languages is a sexist language ) I have been trying to get formal studies with this language though but never got the time to do so.

But then I braved the challenges of my busy work schedules (graveyard huh), and started traveling to and from Manila (Quezon City) just to attend regular Saturday Extramural classes in German! "All for the love of language," as my bestfriend Roda always say. =)

Although some parts of Switzerland ("Schweiz" in German) are German-speakers, they do not employ this standard rule by which German people have constantly praticed in their ortography. Hmm...

Well, I have collected some samples in here and you may want read them below for your personal information hehe. In the words of Hyde Flippo (regular contributor of German.about.com):

German nouns (a person, place or thing, Substantive) are very easy to spot: they always begin with a CAPITAL letter! German is the only world language that capitalizes all nouns. Although there has been debate over the years about doing away with this rather inefficient practice, for now ALL German nouns must begin with a capital letter. Whether we are talking about a simple tree (ein Baum) or Deutsche Bank, any noun is capitalized in German.

The other important thing for English-speakers to understand about German nouns is the matter of gender. Just as we learned about the pronouns in the previous lesson, German nouns parallel he, she and it (er, sie, es) by also being masculine (der - DARE), feminine (die - DEE) or neuter (das - DAHSS). We can see the parallel very clearly by the ending letters for each article/pronoun: der = er, die = sie, das = es.

Der, die and das are the same as "the" in English – the DEFINITE ARTICLE. In German the definite article is much more important than it is in English. For one thing, it is used more often. In English we might say: "Nature is wonderful." In German, the article would be also be included: "Die Natur ist wunderschön." So knowing which article to use becomes even more important!

Whew! Hail to that not-so-amazing-discovery hehe. =) There are more to come as I take on the journey to the wonderful world of German language! Hmm... I am considering Russian as well in the next cycle. =)

Julius

Drinking joins smoking as cancer risk

THE DANGERS OF ALCOHOL AND CIGARETTE SMOKE

Its pretty interesting to note that most people who are in the business of providing care to the ailing population are the first one who violates what they preach. =( I just got this information from and have thought of our family doctor who is a REAL cigarette addict. I must remind you people that smoking and drinking is something worst which you can do to your body. (I drink a lot hehe) but then I don't smoke lest allergies will start erupting and manifesting on my already devastated skin! =) Read on the interesting news from CNN below. Enjoy!

Julius

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LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Along with smoking and chronic infections, alcohol consumption is an important cause of several types of cancer, researchers said on Monday.

Excessive drinking raises the risk of cancer of the mouth, larynx, oesophagus, liver, colon and breast. It may also be linked with cancer of the pancreas and lung.

"Alcohol is underestimated as a cause of cancer in many parts of the world," said Dr Paolo Boffetta of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in Lyon, France.

"A sizeable proportion of cancer today is due to alcohol intake and this is increasing in many regions, particularly in east Asia and eastern Europe," he added in an interview.

Boffetta and Mia Hashibe, who reviewed research into the link between alcohol and cancer, found the more alcohol consumed, the higher the risk of developing cancer.

But they advised people to drink moderately, rather than give up alcohol completely, because of its protective benefits against cardiovascular disease.

"Total avoidance of alcohol, although optimum for cancer control, cannot be recommended in terms of broad perspective of public health, in particular in countries with high incidence of cardiovascular disease," Boffetta said in a report in The Lancet Oncology journal.

For more information, please click on the Post Title Link to lead you to the website source. Thank you.

Brokeback Mountain! :)

This is the true "Boxing Fight of the Century!" :-D

Bolivian president gives teachers half his pay

Fascinating, indeed! I think our local officials should start thinking about giving part of their salary to the poor and other government workers like the teachers who are working for the betterment of this overlypoliticized country! Dapat nilang gayahin si Evo Morales ng Bolivia! Read on!

Friday, January 27, 2006; Posted: 10:13 p.m. EST (03:13 GMT)

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) -- President Evo Morales cut his salary in half and declared no Cabinet minister can collect a higher wage than his own, with the savings to be used to hire more public school teachers.

The move followed a campaign pledge to tackle political corruption and restore honesty to the government of South America's poorest country. But critics called it a propaganda ploy that will do little to help the needy.

Five days into his leftist government, Morales announced Thursday his salary would be $1,875 a month and that his Cabinet would also have their salaries capped at that figure.
"I ask for (the ministers') understanding and efforts to try to meet this demand, not for Evo but for the people," Morales said

Morales' predecessor earned $3,900 a month. The yearly savings of $24,300 is about enough to pay the annual salaries of seven experienced teachers, rent a middle-class apartment or buy a new Ford Focus in Bolivia.

Street protests by teachers, miners and Indians have ousted two of Morales' predecessors since 2003...


For more information, please click on the Post Title Link to lead you to the website source. Thank you.

Warum Nicht! (Why Not!)

Sphrechen Sie Deutsch?

Hallo! I am now learning German at last! I hope this will be a fruitful one. :) I have listed below some of the most common expression and greetings used by German peeps (taken from German.about.com. Let's take a look and practice!

Everyday Pleasantries

Guten Tag! - Tag! Hello! - Hi!

Grüß Gott! Hello! (southern Germany & Austria)

Grüß dich! Hello! (familiar, informal)

Guten Morgen! - Morgen! Good morning! - Morning!

Guten Abend! Good evening!

Gute Nacht! Good night!

Wie geht es Ihnen? How are you?

Wie geht's? - How are you? (familiar, informal)

Danke, gut. - Fine, thanks.

Sehr gut - Great. Es geht - Okay. So-so.

Nicht so gut. - Not so well.

Auf Wiedersehen. - Good-bye.

Tschüs! - Bye! See you later. (casual)

Requests - Bitten

Was möchten Sie? What would you like?

Ich möchte... I would like...

Darf ich? May I?

Können Sie mir helfen? - Can you help me?

Yes/No - Thanks - You're Welcome

Bitte! - Ja, bitte! - Please! - Yes, please!

Danke! - Thanks! - No thanks!Note: "Danke!" in response to an offer usually means "No thanks!" If you want to indicate a positive response to an offer, say "Bitte!"

Danke schön! - Thank you!

Vielen Dank! - Thanks a lot! - Many thanks!

Bitte schön! - You're welcome! (in response to "Danke schön!")

Nein, danke! - No thanks!

Brain Plasticity: Experiences = Learning

I just had a great time reading our module in for SCED at UP Open University (UPOU) and read a superinteresting information regarding the workings of the brain, particularly, human brain.

Its true that it has become a widespread belief that the brain stops or limits its ability to change and lessen its reception to information as we age, but the truth of the matter is, our brain changes physiologically and PHYSICALLY as we mature.

This change in physical structure is brought about by experiences which become part of the storehouse of information and in turn, help us in tailoring our action in the future. Current brain research is revolutionizing the wonderful world of Neurology and is providing us with valuable clues as to the limitless capacity of the brain to store information through various learning experiences in our environment.

A statement in the Society for Neuroscience relates the following information:

People who lose their eye-sight do not have to rely on audio novels to fulfill a book obsession. They can learn to read compositions in Braille, a writing composed of raised dots arranged in specific patterns, with their fingertips.

It's one of the benefits of having a plastic brain. That doesn't mean your brain is molded from a high-molecular-weight polymer similar to your toothbrush. It means that the brain is flexible. It compensates for obstacles. It adapts. It adjusts.

Once, researchers believed that only young brains were plastic. They thought that the connections between the brain's neurons developed in the first few years of childhood. Then they became fixed and very hard to change. An enormous amount of animal and human data uncovered in the past two decades, however, confirms that the brain retains its plasticity throughout life

Its fascinating how the brain works and how the brain theoretically store a huge amount of information and still able to receive more as a result of our everyday experiences. This revolutionary concept is another way of saying that learning is a continuous journey and should never stop at any given moment! Galeng! :)

Julius

For more information, please click on the Post Title Link to lead you to the website source. Thank you.

PICTURE PICTURE!

On Albert Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory

Hello. I would like to share with you some of the most interesting posts I made in our Interactive Virtual Learning Environment (IVLE) in OU (Open university). The subject was so interesting that no matter how busy I am, I always make it a point that I am able to read the books and modules at least 30 minutes per day, which obviously, translates to a slow progress.
:(

I was reading the modules and was particularly attracted to the idea of Social Cognitive Theory by Albert Bandura. It says there that, "you know more than you show." I am pretty sure this is something that most teachers will be able to relate to for we usually gauge student's cognitive abilities according to how they perform in usual unit test and periodic examinations or pop quizzes.

Surely, all of us are guilty of this practice for it is something that is predictated in the curriculum and a curriculum format that is legitimate for use. Anyways, you will not be able to grade something that is not tangible, will you?

When I was still connected to a teaching institution, I have a student who does not perform well when presented with questions on paper exams, tests, and pop quizzes.

I was a surprised for I have come to talk to him many times about health science topics after an afternoon break and he demonstrates outstanding speaking and superior memory skills.

This lead me to conclude that students who flank written examinations should not be categorically branded as mentally challenged. There might be factors that deters them from performing such as psychological or psychosocial status. Mood swings, and acceptance by the society plays some significant bearing on every student's performance.

Ang dami talagang trabaho ng mga teachers no? Hindi ka lang guro, yaya, or nanay, or guidance councilor - psychologist ka pa! hehe.

Other theories of learning are applicable in different school scenarios and the teacher should be better equipped with tools, materials and experiences to help students cope up with the challenges beset to them as they traverse through the road of intellectual competency.

Busy as a Bee! Charut! Lolz. :)

Hello Friends! I am sorry if I was not able to post any message in here for the past few weeks. I was sooooooooooo busy. Things in the company these days are getting a bit complicated so I was intoxicated with the huge amount of work I was trying to finish.

I got hooked up on a new hobby of mine which is writing web-articles. Unfortunately, I missed some of my exams in OU (Open University) and possibly flanked them so I need to lie-low on it and start focusing back again. :( I also got sick because of stress so I just decided to quit all those "extras" all at the same time! Charut! lolz. :)

I missed this blog, my home, with my blog friends! Ate Neng, Ate Ann and the whole cast of Walk-About and Ipagpatawad mo Blog! :) Hehe. I hope you are all doing well. You all have a nice day!

Julius

King Kong and Gigantism

I watched King kong last month and it was nice. :) Kakapagod nga lang panoorin dahil laging me habulan! Hehe.

Although the 25 foot monster in King Kong is somewhat a far-fetched representation of a hominid, the idea that an organism could reach as huge as that is a valid theory in the field of biological science.

An article I read in CNN shows that gigantism is possible for organisms who are especially not confronted with competition among their like or related species. Isolation and apparent lack of competition is key to managing to extend your body size to reach its titanic conformation.

I myself believe in evolution for many of the worlds organisms bear features that looks intermediate among a host of species biologically related to it.

There seems to be a continuum in among the features shared by these species. But we cannot underestimate the existence of a Divine Being who authored all these physical or biological transmogrification. Taray di ba? :)

For more information, please click on the Post Title Link to lead you to the website source. Thank you.

Saved by the Bell?

Michael the Archangel

I had a awful dream. I was perfectly aware that I was awake by the time the dream commences. It was terrible. I always think there is someone out there who's calling me before I go to sleep. It happens everytime.

Good thing I am working in a graveyard shift and I don't experience all that gloomy features of a usual nightmare. Well, it was 12:30 PM I just got off the bed. I ate the burger I ordered from the canteen and took off a warm bath.

I finished all the above rituals before 2:30 PM and laid my back on my bed. I was practically thinking about nothing else so I don't think there will be enough reason for me to expect a dream. The human mind is really powerful that it creates stories of its own when you are fast asleep.

After a few minutes I heard a knock on the door of my room, I heard that it was my favorite 5 year old nephew who's actually calling me. I was not expecting him to be there for my mom did not even call me to come by. Even so, my landlady would even have to call my attention before she let people to visit in the apartment.

So I managed to get up and even before I could handle the knob to open the door for him, he entered and got near me. I was thinking that he wants to sleep beside me or wants me to cuddle him but much to my surprise, his face assumes a host of different facial characteristics!

His eyes disappared and his mouth widened longitudinally and fangs began developing in his mouth. I was hurt because I realized that he is already biting me with his powerful and sharp fangs.

I struggled and ended up facing him. Before he began attacking me again, i uttered these strange words, " I am calling for michael the archangel to help me. Please protect me against this demon!"

Then, the demon was stunned and he started feeling an awkwardly unexplainable excrutiating pain. Though I may not see the angel himself, I know he was there. I was totally unaware of that name.

I am not religious so I was a bit surprised of me calling that name in front of a demon. Then when i saw him attacking me again, i called on Jesus, I said, "St. Miichael the archangel please protect me and help me vanquish this satanic manifestation, in Jesus name!"

I heard the devil shrieked in pain then he's gone . I was scared... :(

Before I left the house this evening, I prayed. I prayed in my room and asked for help in vanquishing any spirits lurking inside. I locked the door and laid hands on it and prayed that the demons will leave the room and entire house will be free of bad spirits.

I am a Christian but do not practice the ever famous religious rites anymore. I don't go to religious gathering, church services nor the mass for the Catholics. We used to be part of Iglesia ni Cristo but now are excommunicado.

I don't believe in demons, spirits nor the Angels but I now I am beginning to realize that they are true?...I dunno. I am not sure. Before that, I had a dream about a man whose face I cannot see. He warned me about something. He wants me to do something. He said that I will need to do something to help someone. I am not sure...things are vague and I can't seem to comprehend what he was trying to say.

Apparently, I have ignored his message. I am afraid. :( I am afraid. Are demons even true? Is there heaven and hell? Is there a God or an Angel that guides every human and watch all their activities? Whew!Questions that don't seem to have answers... :(

What a bad way to start the new year. :( Hayy....

Julius