Network, degeneracy and bow tie. Integrating paradigms and architectures to grasp the complexity of the immune system
Fascinating background material for my chapter on the Immune System Tieri P, Grignolio A, Zaikin A, et al. Network, degeneracy and bow tie. Integrating paradigms and architectures to grasp the complexity of the immune system. Theor Biol Med Model. 2010;7:32. Published 2010 Aug 11. doi:10.1186/1742-4682-7-32 Abstract Recently, the network paradigm, an application of graph theory to…
Read MoreDepression can lead to shortened life span
When I read this title I immediately thought, “well sure, you don’t work out as much, don’t engage in healthy activities”. But in this study they controlled for other illness and lifestyle choices. So the take away, as they state, is that depression affects the whole body. Of course in Chinese Medicine there has never…
Read MoreGetting Past “Disease” to a Science of Wellness: Institute for Systems Biology
This article appeared in the Sunday Chronicle. And though Hood’s area of interest is different than mine, his goal is the same. To detect and treat preventatively before illness can become established. This is his Institute for Systems Biology. In a system focused on wellness, physicians would spend as much or more time helping patients…
Read MoreA new model for the HPA axis explains dysregulation of stress hormones on the timescale of weeks.
This study seeks to understand how the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, or HPA, can become so dysregulated. What they found is that the actual size or mass of the affected organs can change. Stress and its sequelae is so important to all aspects of health, that any insights into its workings can be key. Acupuncture lowers stress…
Read MoreEffects of acupuncture and moxibustion on serum contents of hematopoietic growth factor in mice with marrow inhibition
This acupuncture approach to bolstering deficient blood cell counts with chemotherapy, something that limits how much treatment a patient can get, may be promising. I’ve typically said that acupuncture probably doesn’t have a role in fighting cancer per se, but helps in optimizing during treatment. This may be further evidence that this could be true….
Read MoreSomato-Autonomic Effects of Acupuncture
Reading this article makes me extremely motivated to get back to my writing project!! This is part of what it’s all about and why I’ve been suspicious of non-penetrating needles as a control for a long time. Introduction Modern randomized clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of acupuncture for treating a range of conditions, including…
Read MoreHow the Corona Virus Hacks the Immune System: the New Yorker
This is such a terrific article. Not only does it do a creditable job of explaining the basics of the immune system, but also how Covid 19 acts to disrupt cells and highjacks the immune system. Since I’m unsure if the article will be accessible if you’re lacking a subscription, I’ll quote some pertinent parts…
Read MoreA guide to Chemokines and Their Receptors
I’m posting this here to have as a reference for the immune system-acupuncture link. A guide to chemokines and their receptors Catherine E Hughes 1, Robert J B Nibbs 1 Affiliations expand Free PMC article Abstract The chemokines (or chemotactic cytokines) are a large family of small, secreted proteins that signal through cell surface G protein-coupled heptahelical chemokine receptors….
Read MoreDeep Resilience: Do No Harm
Belatedly posting to the blog my chapter in Deep Resilience called “Do No Harm”. Read and learn! First Do No Harm 8.29.2020 for sharing
Read More80% of Covid Patients Were Vitamin D Deficient
This study is probably suspect, but on the other hand, Vitamin D is cheap and safe if you don’t overdo it. So maybe take time to replenish your supplies and take it! A new study that looked at 216 people with COVID-19 found that 80 percent didn’t have adequate levels of vitamin D in their…
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