Maha's Reflective Journal by Maharani Rajendran https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or What we know is just a drop, what we don’t know is an ocean en-us 2022-05-02 05:53:57 UTC 2022-06-05 07:37:57 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f469-1f4bb.png ~22 March 2022~ mahashalini8 https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2166366457 It's my 2nd virtual lecture after the introduction with Dr. Suja!!! It was really amazing and very informative on the staging of cancer. As a biology student, I always came across the word "cancer"... as aspects like type, causes, stages, treatments, and so on... In this lecture, one thing was an eye-opener for me on the staging of cancer.

Before explain on that, just a short intro on the topic... Staging is a way of describing the size of cancer and how far it has grown. This staging system is not only used for the treatment but is a great communication tool for the clinicians and treatment team. There are two main types of staging systems which are the  TNM system and the number system.

These two main types of staging were new learning for me about cancer. So, I learned that TNM stands for Tumour, Node (lymph), and Metastasis (spreads other parts of the body). The numbering system is used to indicate the advancement of each stage and is further divided into letters a, b, or c categories. However, different types of cancer have different staging system.





]]> 2022-05-02 06:21:00 UTC https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2166366457 Extra information about TNM staging mahashalini8 https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2166446714 While scrolling down my newsfeed on Facebook, suddenly there is something similar about the staging system was been shared by one of my friends.

That sharing about the American Joint Committee on Cancer establishes the way cancer is communicated. TNM staging such as Tumour, Nodes, and Metastasis, TNM Classification of Cancer is a globally recognized standard for classifying the extent of spread of cancer. 

The classification of cancer by anatomic disease extent, i.e. stage, is the major determinant of appropriate treatment and prognosis. 


]]> 2022-05-02 07:55:50 UTC https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2166446714 mahashalini8 https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2167741793 This study is about TNM classification (AJCC VIII edition) is applied only to major salivary glands carcinomas, while MSGCs of the upper aerodigestive tract site,
including the oral cavity, are staged according to schemes corresponding to the anatomic site of occurrence. It's well described in the T categorization of that particular cancer disease. So, I'm able to understand the TNM system and how it's been used with certain examples.

]]> 2022-05-03 03:42:59 UTC https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2167741793 ~28th March 2022~ mahashalini8 https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2167745956 It was a pleasant Monday evening and also it was my last class for the day. As usual Dr. Suja started her lecture on a new topic about the epidemiology of cancer. The word "epidemiology" is quite familiar but the content is quite unfamiliar to me. However, I was easily attracted to the history part of that topic. This is because of the way Dr. Suja explained and described how the scientists researched and discovered the factors or causes of certain cancers. It needs a lot of dedication and determination towards the research or study.

I'm not interested in historical things, but this history part is not about the scientific findings, is about methods or procedures to find certain studies that we could use in the future.

Dr. Suja explained three important observations that launched the field of cancer epidemiology during the 18th century. She also screwed our brains on how the studies have been carried out and the factors and how they have been identified.

This made me a little curious about experiments that were made before the 18th century which could be a spoon tool for these observations. When I searched on that, I found about Greek physician Hippocrates (460–370 BCE), the “Father of Medicine,” who believed illness was caused by the imbalance of four bodily humors. He was the first to recognize the differences between benign and malignant tumors. He is universally recognized as the father of modern medicine, which is based on observation of clinical signs and rational conclusions and does not rely on religious or magical beliefs.

In the course Complementary and Alternative Medicine, I came across his principles in the field of health and medicine. Such an honorable person would be a bridge for these kinds of research, that's amazed me on a different level.

The humors mentioned were yellow bile, black bile, blood, and phlegm, according to "The World of Shakespeare's Humors," an exhibition by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Each humor was associated with a particular element (earth, water, air, or fire), two "qualities" (cold, hot, moist, dry), certain body organs, and certain ages (childhood, adolescence, maturity, old age).

With this establishment by Hippocrates, scientists could able to relate the factors associated with particular cancer diseases. Future scientists or researchers should take his principles and knowledge on their research.

]]> 2022-05-03 03:48:26 UTC https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2167745956 Hippocrates as an epidemiologist mahashalini8 https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2167886965 This attachment clearly emphasized how Hippocrates believed and theorized the epidemiology of a disease.]]> 2022-05-03 06:57:32 UTC https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2167886965 ~6th April 2022~ mahashalini8 https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2167918399 In the carcinogenesis lecture, I learned the process whereby cells with a growth advantage over their neighbours are transformed by mutations in the genes that control cell division into cells that no longer respond to regulatory signals. This process consists of three stages: initiation, promotion, and progression.

In the process of carcinogenesis, both the exogenous as well as endogenous chemicals, like hormones can work at this stage as cancer promoters. The cancer functions do not produce any mutations but they work with the help of various mechanisms like the change in gene expression. This leads to sustained cell proliferation by either increase in the rate of cell proliferation or apoptosis, that is the death of the cell.

From the learning, I discovered that the cancer promoters are known to be effective by affecting the rate of division, terminal differentiation, or death of cancer precursor cells. The nongenotoxic carcinogens perform well at the cancer promotion stage. The preneoplastic cells' clonal expansion needs regular exposure to cancer-promoting compounds. 

The process of cancer promotion is tricky as beneath a specific level of dose, the stimulation for the cell to proliferate is not produced. This process of cancer promotion is very specialized to specific tissue and organ. There are certain epigenetic factors that can lead to cancer. Some of the environmental agents or mutagens can also induce the cells to behave differently thereby causing cancer.


]]> 2022-05-03 07:30:20 UTC https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2167918399 Casein as a promoter mahashalini8 https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2167977306 This is a post that I found on my Instagram page. It stated that casein is the most relevant cancer promoter ever discovered by Dr.T.Colin Campbell. When I searched about this fact, I found a study conducted by Indian scientists that included exposure of rats to carcinogenic aflatoxins as well as casein protein. Reducing the rats’ protein consumption from the usual 20% down to only 5% prevented the powerful carcinogen from bringing about cancer completely.

Maintaining the protein levels at 20% with exposure to the carcinogen caused cancer in the rats.  The link between casein and cancer was so significant according to these experiments that researchers discovered that they could actually turn on cancer growth and turn it off in lab animals by merely adjusting their dietary casein levels.  For this reason, casein was found to be one of the most significant cancer promoters identified.


]]> 2022-05-03 08:35:42 UTC https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2167977306 Why is cheese so addictive? mahashalini8 https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2167994678 Cheese is one of the products that contain casein. It digests at such a slow rate and casomorphins (natural, morphine-like compounds) in the casein enter the bloodstream and behave like opiates in the body. These casomorphins are released after the breakdown of caseins in the body and they attach to the brain’s opiate receptors leading to addiction to dairy products. The addictive response triggered is so strong that it has been compared to that of heroin because it causes mood disorders and food addictions.

This fact is so true based on my experience. I'm not a cheese lover but the moment I eat any kind of cheezy food like pizza, wedges, or fries, I can't control my tastebuds...It's really addictive and very dangerous to our health.]]> 2022-05-03 08:52:55 UTC https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2167994678 ~13th April 2022~ mahashalini8 https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2168007289 It was an interesting lecture with Dr.Suja and she discussed a few classes of chemical carcinogens. One of the chemical carcinogens is Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). I learned about how it has been produced, its chemical structure, and also the minimum requirement for carcinogenicity. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of chemicals that occur naturally in coal, crude oil, and gasoline. They result from burning coal, oil, gas, wood, garbage, and tobacco. 

PAHs can bind to or form small particles in the air. PAHs are formed when fat from meat drips onto an open flame such as during the grilling and smoking process.  Mostly, in any form of gathering events or functions, a barbeque party is definitely a must. I often think that grilling is better than cooking or deep frying in the oil and didn't think about the effects of open flame or the smoking action on the food. Therefore, it's really a piece of useful information for me and creates a huge awareness of myself.

Besides that, PAHs enter a person, the body converts PAHs into breakdown products called metabolites. The metabolites pass out of the body in the urine and feces. By measuring PAH metabolites in urine, scientists can estimate the amounts of PAHs that have entered people’s bodies. This method is quite similar to the consumption of alcohol or any drugs.]]> 2022-05-03 09:06:28 UTC https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2168007289 Review article about PAH exposure mahashalini8 https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2168047597 This article is about a study conducted to update data on the association between PAH exposure and morbidity and mortality due to lung cancer among workers in different occupations, including smoking data.

The study concluded that coal/coke industry and iron/steel industry workers showed a higher risk of lung cancer compared with other occupations exposed to PAHs. The confounding effects of smoking and individual exposure levels of PAH should be taken into account.]]> 2022-05-03 09:51:28 UTC https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2168047597 Indian Gooseberry for Cancer Prevention mahashalini8 https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2197811089 ~ 11th May 2022~
It was an interesting and interactive lecture with Dr. Suja...Each of us gets an opportunity to tell a risk factor for cancer with an example. The list went long and I think it will be infinity to find out about the risk factors for cancer.

As you all know that cancer is caused by exposure to carcinogenic compounds... It's mainly due to our lifestyle...when talking about lifestyle those who are smoking, consuming alcohol, eating unhealthy foods like foods rich in fats and meats... have a high probability to get cancer. In prevention, Dr. Suja always mentioned about we should have a healthy lifestyle, including fibers in our diet, avoid fatty, oily foods and etc... 

In my opinion, we should have good eating habits and a healthy lifestyle...but the thing is the food we consume whether have an ability to prevent cancer or reduce the risk of cancer in future?? It would be a big question mark for everyone. By the way, I came across a fruit which was introduced by my grandma, it is called Indian gooseberry, is named in Tamil we called as neelikka, in Hindi, as Amla...

For the first time, I saw this Indian gooseberry at my grandma's house...she grows it around her house. So, when I visit her during holidays, she always encourages and advises us to eat 1-2 amlas daily on an empty stomach in the morning... Whenever I asked her why we should eat this fruit, she always tell that it's very good for health.

During childhood, I don't know about its medicinal values... When I searched about its medicinal properties, there was a lot of...The amla (Emblica Officinalis Gaertn) fruits are used in extensive ayurvedic preparations to improve immunity against certain diseases. It is very beneficial in managing anemia, diabetes, liver problems, ulcers, heart troubles, and also cancer. Mainly about cancer.

Amla and some of its phytochemicals (gallic acid, pentagalloylglucose, ellagic acid, pyrogallol quercetin, and kaempferol) have been found to be cytotoxic to neoplastic cells. Several mechanisms are likely to be responsible for the cancer-preventive effects of amla.

· Induction of apoptosis of neoplastic and preneoplastic cells
· Free radical scavenging, antioxidant, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory activities
· Increase in glutathione S-transferase levels (an antioxidant enzyme)
· Decrease in excessive Phase 1 liver enzymes (which can convert chemicals into carcinogens)
· Decrease in lipid peroxidation
· Protection against DNA damage from various carcinogens

There are various studies have shown amla extracts to inhibit the growth of lung, liver, cervical, breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancer cells. 

Overall, Indian gooseberry is a potent herb that can prevent our cells from being mutagenic. It is very crucial to consume amla on a daily basis. It will not only reduce the risk of cancer but also the risk of other diseases. Eat healthy foods, do physical activity, do yoga and keep your body fit and healthy.

~Eating amla rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants can keep cancer at bay.~

]]> 2022-05-24 14:33:09 UTC https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2197811089 ~20th April 2022~ mahashalini8 https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2211214456 In this lecture, Dr. Suja explained the radiation carcinogens, their types, radiation doses, and their effects. So, we came across with Chernobyl Accident which happened in 1986. I had heard about it before. The accident at a nuclear power plant in Ukraine shocked the world, permanently altered a region, and leaves many questions unanswered.

The full consequences of the accident, including impacts on mental health and even subsequent generations, remain highly debated under study. The remains of the reactor is now inside a massive steel containment structure deployed in late 2016. Containment efforts and monitoring continue and cleanup is expected to last until at least 2065.


]]> 2022-06-05 06:50:43 UTC https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2211214456 Long-term impacts mahashalini8 https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2211221794 The city of Pripyat was built to house workers of the nuclear power plant in the 1970s. It has been an abandoned ghost town since the accident and is now used as a laboratory to study fallout patterns. 

The impact of the disaster on the surrounding forest and wildlife also remains an area of active research. In the immediate aftermath of the accident, an area of about four square miles became known as the “Red Forest” because so many trees turned reddish-brown and died after absorbing high levels of radiation.


]]> 2022-06-05 07:17:12 UTC https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2211221794 30 YEARS AFTER CHERNOBYL, NATURE IS THRIVING mahashalini8 https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2211225509 This is an interesting finding on Chernobyl disaster after 30 years. Though many trees have regrown, scientists have found evidence of elevated levels of cataracts and albinism, and lower rates of beneficial bacteria, among some wildlife species in the area in recent years. Due to the exclusion of human activity around the shuttered power plant, the numbers of some wildlife, from lynxes to elk, have increased.  In 2015, scientists estimated there were seven times more wolves in the exclusion zone than in nearby comparable reserves.

Today, Chernobyl beckons to tourists who are intrigued by its history and its danger. But though Chernobyl symbolizes the potential devastation of nuclear power, Russia never quite moved beyond its legacy or its technology. As of 2019, there are still 11 operational RBMK reactors in Russia.]]> 2022-06-05 07:32:59 UTC https://padlet.com/mahashalini8/jerhc2oiar9du4or/wish/2211225509