Radioactive Scorpion Venom To Fight Cancer

TScorpion  venom is being used to attack tumor cells in the body.  It has been found that  a non-toxic extract from the venom specifically  seeks out and locks onto malignant cells after it is injected into the body.

By irradiating it before it goes in the body it can be used to target the cancer cells with killer radiation but at the same time leave the healthy cells unharmed.

The scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus has a  peptide in its venom that is non-toxic to humans but binds to tumour cells

In experiments, the peptide has invaded tumours in breast, skin, brain and lung tissue, but left healthy cells untouched.

Experiments are being done to find if the peptide is able to deliver lethal radioactive doses to tumour cells to by attaching radioactive iodine isotopes to it.

Researchers at the University of Chicago in Illionois have begun injecting the substance into the bloodstream of people with different types of malignant brain cancer.

This will allow the them to test whether the peptide can seek out and kill secondary tumours and primary  tumours in the body.

Secondary tumours are the spread tumours in different parts of body while primary is the original tumor from which the cell spread.

The idea is to develop intravenous therapy if possible. If it is successful, then the therapy could be performed in community hospitals, without subjecting patients to the risks of additional brain surgery.

Causes of Bleeding From Nose or Epistaxis

• Trauma to the nose
• Tumors of the nose
• Rhinitis
• Diphtheria
• Infective fevers like typhoid, malaria, measles, viral infections.
• Hypertension
• High altitude
• Collagen diseases like  Pseudoxanthoma elasticum, Ehlers’ Danlos syndrome.
• Thrombocytopenias like  Leukemias, aplastic anemia, ITP
• Qualitative platelet defects like Glanzmann’s disease, von Willebrand’s disease.
• Coagulation disorders such as Hemophilia, afibrinogenemia, etc.
• Hypersplenism
• Vitamin B12 deficiency

Common Urinary Problems and Their Causes

Frequency of Micturition and Nocturia

1. Bladder: Cystitis, small contracted bladder, tumors, vesicular calculus, cystocele.
2. Bladder neck: Incomplete evacuation due to enlarged prostrate or stricture of urethra, incompetent internal urethral sphincter, ectopic ureter.
3. Urethra: Urethritis, neoplasms, balanitis, stricture of urethra, pinhole meatus, phimosis.
4. Miscellaneous: Polyuria, psychogenic, pregnancy, pressure from surrounding structures.

Hesitancy and Precipitancy of Urine

1. Cerebral: Cerebrovascular accidents, cerebral tumors, head injuries, etc.
2. Urinary tract disease: Enlarged prostate, bladder neck obstruction.

Anuria or Absence of Urine

1. Renal: Glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, polycystic kidney, chronic renal failure, nephrotoxic drugs, SLE etc.
2. Pre-renal: Diarrhea and vomiting, burns, blood loss, hypotension, septicemia, intravascular hemolysis, etc.
3. Obstructive: Calculi in kidney or urinary tract, blockage of ureters by malignancy or crystals, retroperitoneal fibrosis, accidental ligation during surgery, etc.

Retention of Urine

1. Neurological: Spinal cord diseases (Transverse and compression myelitis), cauda equina lesions, multiple sclerosis.
2. Genito-urinary
   • Penis: Phimosis
   • Urethra: Posterior urethral valves, foreign body, stones, stricture, rupture, spasm of the sphincter, etc.
   • Prostatic enlargement
   • Bladder: Atony, tumor, stone, or compression by fibroids or retroverted uterus.
   • Following parturition
3. Drugs: Sympathomimetic agents, salbutamol, terbutaline, anti-cholinergic drugs, etc.
4. Functional