Diabetes breakthrough...Toronto scientists cure disease in mice

Good Afternoon all! My love sends out daily emails (commonly forwards), some are funny, others are enlightening, some are political, and well some you just don't know what to think. If you would like to become part of his emailing list please contact him on his blog site link to your right, Mixxedkid's Place in Space. Today's forward was from a Canadain Newspaper in reference to diabetes. With many close family and friend affected by this disease this was something that I felt was important to share.

By: Tom Blackwell, National PostPublished: Friday, December 15, 2006 In a discovery that has stunned even those behind it, scientists at a Toronto hospital say they have proof the body's nervous system helps trigger diabetes, opening the door to a potential near-cure of the disease that affects millions of Canadians. Diabetic mice became healthy virtually overnight after researchers injected a substance to counteract the effect of malfunctioning pain neurons in the pancreas. "I couldn't believe it," said Dr. Michael Salter, a pain expert at the Hospital for Sick Children and one of the scientists. "Mice with diabetes suddenly didn't have diabetes any more." The researchers caution they have yet to confirm their findings in
people, but say they expect results from human studies within a year or so.
Any treatment that may emerge to help at least some patients would likely be
years away from hitting the market. But the excitement of the team from Sick
Kids, whose work is being published today in the journal Cell, is almost palpable. "I've never seen anything like it," said Dr. Hans Michael Dosch, an immunologist at
the hospital and a leader of the studies. "In my career, this is unique." Their conclusions upset conventional wisdom that Type 1 diabetes, the most serious
form of the illness that typically first appears in childhood, was solely caused
by auto-immune responses -- the body's immune system turning on itself. They
also conclude that there are far more similarities than previously thought
between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, and that nerves likely play a role in other chronic inflammatory conditions, such as asthma and Crohn's disease. The "paradigm-changing" study opens "a novel, exciting door to address one of the diseases with large societal impact," said Dr. Christian Stohler, a leading U.S. pain specialist and dean of dentistry at the University of Maryland, who has reviewed the work. "The treatment and diagnosis of neuropathic diseases is poised to take a dramatic leap forward because of the impressive research." About two million Canadians suffer from diabetes, 10% of them with Type 1, contributing to 41,000 deaths a year. Insulin replacement therapy is the only treatment of Type 1, and cannot prevent many of the side effects, from heart attacks to kidney failure. In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to shift glucose into the cells that need it. In Type 2 diabetes, the insulin that is produced is not used effectively -- something called insulin resistance -- also resulting in poor absorption of glucose. The problems stem partly from inflammation -- and eventual death -- of insulin-producing islet cells in the pancreas. Dr. Dosch had concluded in a 1999 paper that there were surprising similarities between diabetes and multiple sclerosis, a central nervous system disease. His interest was also piqued by the presence around the insulin-producing islets of an "enormous" number of nerves, pain neurons primarily used to signal the brain that tissue has been damaged. Suspecting alink between the nerves and diabetes, he and Dr. Salter used an old experimental trick -- injecting capsaicin, the active ingredient in hot chili peppers, to kill the pancreatic sensory nerves in mice that had an equivalent of Type 1 diabetes.

Article Taken from the National Post

Six Degrees of Separation

... the positive energy returns to the blog...Good Day Everyone out there in blogging world. Today’s topic is the age old theory of Six Degrees of Separation. My friend, Denise, was watching ABC New's Primetime last evening and decided to participate in the current Columbia University's Small World Project. This theory fascinates me for many reasons.

• Reason 1: I believe that it is true and have had many discussions with my friend Denise in particular about it
• Reason 2: Years ago I belonged to a website that explored this theory loosely and could see the effects
• Reason 3: I enjoy studying the validity of such wonders
• Reason 4: I am a member of a scientific review board and it is interesting to read Columbia University’s On-line Consent
• Reason 5: I think it is just plain fun!
  

So if you have time please click on the links above to check out and even join the study.

Don’t Have Enough Experience???

WARNING:

Today’s blog is a complaint !

(forewarning to those who don’t want negativity today because I honestly try to stay positive).

Time and time again I interview… (and yes my boss knows, he hired me with the intention of me bettering myself)…and I have one friend in particular, lets call her Penelope, that can completely relate to me. And I think she is one reason I continue to interview. Time and time again we interview and we are told how wonderful, great, what a good fit for “Job X” we would be BUT… and here it comes…

• we don’t have enough experience...or
• "Person Y" has so much MORE expereince... or
• you are overqualified for this job... or
• with your Masters Degree we feel we would have to pay you... or
• they say they are going to call you back and they DON'T!

... COME ON PEOPLE... be original come up with some other excuse... becuase that is what it is! Okay, maybe that is a little harsh but you too would be annoyed if you were in my shoes...

Would someone somewhere please explain to us how we will EVER get more experience if we are constantly rejected? I mean seriously, time passes, we continue to do similar things but not what we want to do with the rest of our lives… gaining experience doing SOMETHING and what are we told… Lets see … we both have Bachelors of Sciences… we both have Masters Degrees… and Penelope is even working on her PhD. (You go Girl!!) 7 years removed from attaining our Bachelors and we are getting the same responses!

We have contemplated at times omitting our Masters Degrees from our resume and replacing them with the objectives listed for our respective Masters Degrees as EXPERIENCE from said institutions, but that would be dishonest… and we would have to account for those years somehow.

There are those of you who read my blog and tell me that I should look for jobs in locations far from my current locale. To those of you nothing personal but...

• 1) I am SICK AND TIRED OF HEARING THAT (if that is your advice... please keep it to yourself)
• 2)I HAVE AND DO... I admit not as much as I have in the past but work with me here that IS NOT the ONLY answer the question either.

Penelope and I have had conversation after conversation and we just do not get it! Strong, Educated, Smart, Creative, Attractive, Young ladies who repeatedly get the short end of the deal. I tell myself time and time again that God has a plan for me and Penelope… and we just cannot see it yet. We have known for some time now it isn’t what we know, how good we are, what degrees we have but WHO we know! We obviously don’t know the right people! This is so VERY frustrating. How do we continue to inspire young people to do there best, get more education, when it doesn’t seem to get us… well me at least ANYWHERE. People want to abuse us and our talents! I am just so very FRUSTRATED! UGH… and that is my complaint for today! Any words of encouragement? Does anyone out there know the right people and would care to share?

Please Contribute Recipes!

Good Afternoon All!

One of my closest friends, Alyssa, will be getting married in February 2007. CONGRATULATIONS ALYSSA! The Clemson Bridesmaids are throwing her a Kitchen/Recipe Shower. What I would like from you is to please contribute your favorite recipe so that I can add it to the recipe box we are giving her at her shower. You can either leave it on my blog or email it to AlyssaKitchen@lizacorrine.com If you choose to send a recipe via email please put the name of the Recipe in your subject line. Also, if you don't mind please put your city and state. I appreciate your time and recipes :) Have an outstanding weekend!

Liza Corrine

If you have pictures of the actual items you are sending me the recipe for please attached it to the email.

Thank you !

Great Appointment Book

Hello Everyone - I am back and blogging this wonderful holiday season! If you are an organize fanatic or looking to become more organized in the coming year the appointment book by Olge Publsihing company a wonderful choice. My boss had one in his office from 2005 and I really liked it so I purchased a 2006 planner have loved it! If you would like to find ou

t more abou them and the other products they offer please check out their website. www.oglepub.com . Their contact information is listed below. Here is a picture of an opened appointemnt book...

As you can see it has monthly tabs, daily and monthly bookmarks and also has... has monthly expense recording spaces, places to record mileage, an address book , area code map, intantional dialing codes, the most oftn used websiteds and 800 numbers in North America, Weights and Mesarues, converstion tables, and so much more. With shipping and handling one appointment book comes to $32.75... I believe it is worth the money!

PHONE: 1(800) 914-6453 • FAX: (503) 625-1892 • E-MAIL: PAT@OGLEPUB.COM

Office Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM PACIFIC COAST TIME

Memories

Leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! Don't send a message, leave a comment on here. Next, re-post this in your notes and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty cool (and funny) to see the responses. Repost as "memories. Please don't use last names. Thank

you!
- Liza Corrine

Bianca Ryan ... Strikes again

Bianca Ryan debuts her new CD sometime soon. I will add details later, but I wanted to give you all an opportunity to follow this up and coming talent. Be on the look out for her self titled album. On it she is singing a lot of songs we have heard before, but never like this from an eleven year old! Check out the pipes on this young lady... especially if you missed my earlier posts. She is the winner of the show AMERICA'S GOT TALENT! Again listen to her full CD on AOL's Full CD Listening Party. She is today the fifth CD to your right on the scroll.

Methods for Maintaining a Positive Attitude

Last night I was reading Black Enterprise’s November 2006 issue and I was inspired to write a blog for each day of the week based from topics featured throughout this issue. I shall begin the week off with Methods of Maintaining a Positive Attitude featured in an article by Michelle J. Nealy. She focused on 4 major things one should do to maintain a positive attitude… which are:

1. Choose your thoughts carefully
2. Read something positive daily
3. Affirm your potential each day
4. Limit the time you spend around negative people

If you would like to read more of Michelle J. Nealy’s Article The Power of Positive Thought & The Methods of Maintaining a Postive Attitude pick of the November 2006 Issue of Black Enterprise!

Vote for James Davis

Come on Clemson Fans!
Take a moment and vote
for James Davis!

Vote for James Davis
and pass along to all
your email buddies.

https://r.espn.go.com/espn/contests/theheismanvote/

GO TIGERS!!


When i voted for James Davis on Wednesday he was in second place with 18% of the vote. Tonight when I checked he has moved into first place with 41% of the vote. See how those Clemson Fans unite. Let's continue to unite and make sure he holds 1st place.

Thank you for your time!
LizaCorrine

G.A.P. (Guardian Angel Professionals)

HOW IT ALL BEGAN… G.A.P. (Guardian Angel Professionals) was founded October 1, 2001 by Liza Corrine. The name Guardian Angel Professionals was an adapted version of a group of young ladies who during their undergraduate years formed a close friendship bond while residing in Sanders Hall on the campus of Clemson University. The name was changed from Guardian Angel Power to Guardian Angel Professionals to suit the young ladies up and coming professional careers.

OUR OBJECTIVE…The objective of this organization is to gather money and/or items of need for the elderly and children that may have little or no Christmas in the group’s chosen area of service: Clemson, South Carolina and surrounding communities.

HOW IT WORKS…The members of G.A.P. typically forgo gifts to one another, and spend no less than $20.00 on items for our gift boxes. We get together around the first of the holiday season, and have a Wrap Party. At the Wrap Party we socialize with one another and wrap and prepare boxes to be distributed this year at Clemson Community Care. This year’s Wrap Party was held last night. I would like to thank each of my wrapping angels: Mama Angel…Geneva, Alyssa, Stephanie, & Jane. I could not have done it with out you.

It is not too late for you to help. If you would like to do so please click here to see what type of items are needed.

For those of you who visited the site earlier, I apologize there was some type of technical difficulty and this blog was deleted. I hope that each of you have a fabulous, wonderfully blessed, productive, and exciting weekend! GO TIGERS!

New Deluxe Scrabble… the Consumer Complaint

Since childhood my mama and aunts have played Scrabble with me and my sister. Growing up this has always been one of my favorite board games. I even purchased the Spanish version as an adult to work on my Spanish. Since I have been playing so long there has been no need to purchase a new board, except as gifts for others. However, in March I experienced an apartment fire where I lost my Spanish version and the turntable version I had lost pieces therefore…

Last week I decided to splurge a little and go and get a new DELUXE SCRABBLE…. The new board is HORRIBLE and CHEAPLY made. DO NOT PURCHASE IT!!! If one is going to pay ~30.00 for a board game it should be of good quality! I was so disgusted by this that I called Hasbro…YES I DID…When I spoke to the customer service representative she informed me that the board was officially changed in 2003 and was changed because people complained of the glare. I kindly left my remarks and she told me to see if I can find boxes that were copyrighted 2003 or before if I would like to get the older {more stable, better quality} board. So below is my internet letter to Hasbro and potential purchasers of Deluxe Scrabble…

Dear Hasbro,
Your “new” board is of poor quality. You can create a product that does not have a glossy/transparent overlay without decreasing the quality of your timeless game of Scrabble. In the current version the overlay does not hold the pieces firmly in place as your turn the “turntable” or place words perpendicular to previously placed words. If customers desired this result they could purchase the cheaper board. I believe a comparable alternative should be developed in order to address this problem. This dilemma must be dealt with if you expect to continue to sell the game of Scrabble to future generations.

Cordially,
Liza Corrine

Our One Year Anniversary ... Dating :)

Saturday, October 14th my love and I celebrated our one year anniversary of dating. It has been a year of learning each other’s good and not so good attributes. We drove up to Asheville and enjoyed the scenic ride there. On our way there and back we stopped at a roadside stand called “The Cider House” where we enjoyed a cup of delicious hot apple cider. Once in Asheville we visited the North Carolina Arboretum. There we visited the Bonsai Expo (which also featured Ikebana) , watched the beginning and finished project of a Bonsai being added to their Bonsai Garden, took a moment and enjoyed the lunch I had prepared for us, then we went walking on a few of their trails. Check back for location details that will be posted within the next week. What did YOU do this weekend?

State Trooper...

Okay ONLY I could be hit by a state trooper (not in his car, but in uniform on his way to work) at a RED traffic light. And to top it off I was driving my boyfriend's relatively NEW automobile so that he could rest for a while. That, in and of itself is a story for the recordbooks that needs further explaination but that isn't my blog today... my blog is about the fact that i had to pay THEM $5.00 to get an accident report that ...

-1- would not be ready for AT LEAST five days following the accident
-2- that they will not fax
-3- that they will not accept credit/bank cards or personal checks for... therefore meaning that one has to either return to the area where accident occured OR go out of one's way pay for a stamp, pay for a money order, and take time out of one's day to mail them the information to be mailed the accident report... HOW INEFFIECENT!

I will not elaborate to which state I was visiting, but I would like to know how common it is for those involved in an accident (especially victims) have to PAY to receive an accident report? If so... what state? I would appreciate it if you share your stories. Have a great weekend!

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION TO HELP SAVE BABIES

Dear Fellow Bloggers,

We are petitioning Google™ to create a doodle in honor of Prematurity Awareness Day, November 14th. Google is famous for their doodles*, and each one is seen by millions of people around the world, highlighting many interesting holidays and causes. Premature Birth is a global crisis, so what better way to draw attention to this terrible problem than by having a doodle created for Prematurity Awareness Day?


As of this morning, when I signed I was signiture number 39,187 That's how many people think our fight against premature birth is worthy of worldwide recognition! There's strength in numbers, so we need your help! Please be a part of this grassroots effort to save babies from premature birth!

As always, thank you for your continued support!
Liza Corrine & The March of Dimes

What is a Google Doodle?.....Click Here to Find Out

Victoria Valley Vineyards

On last Friday I received an email from my sweetie requesting that I be ready at 9AM on Saturday morning because he and his best friend Justin had a suprise for me and his wife, Sara. The only clue I was given was to dress as though I was preparing for hiking. On Saturday morning I was ready to go at 9 as requested... on our drive up Kris pulled out a newspaper article dated January 25, 2006 titled Vinyard Vision. He had saved this article and he and Justin decided to surprise us with a trip up for wine tasting and a tour of the vinyard. This was a pleasant surprise for both Sara and me. We went on their tour of the facility, tasted all of the wines that Victoria Valley Vineyards has to offer, and concluded our visit with a lunch on the patio and pictures in the vinyards on our drive out. This was a fabulous fun surprise!

Thank you very much MY LOVE!

To those of you intersted in finding out more about Victoria Valley Vineyards please visit them. It is a quaint pleasant getaway.

Pictures of our visit soon to come :)

Random Fact from My Oatmeal Package...lol

Yes... I can be VERY random... but I was reading my oatmeal package this morning and this was the FREAKY FACT printed and I thought you all would find it interesting too...

"Crickets can tell you the temperature! Count the number of chirps in 15 seconds then add 27. The number you get will be close to the temmperature outside! (in degrees Fahrenheit)"

Have a great weekend!

Win your own $10,000 Trust Fund

Hello Everyone -

You know I am random! I am in a contest phase right now...lol.. So if you have a moment and are intersted... follow the link :) Just wanted you to know that StudentUniverse has this contest where you can win your own $10,000 Trust Fund! To enter into the contest click the URL http://www.trustfundliving.com/AZCLM0/ Have a GREAT WEEKEND!

Thanks,
Liza Corrine

P.S. Hurry up! The contest is only running until October 4.

Last Night's Dinner

My boyfriend is a sweetie and preapred dinner for me last night.
I just wanted to share a picture. Doesn't it look nice :) Thank
you very much Honey!

Be Thoughtful and Not Speak Ignorantly...

Today's blog originates from a conversation that began over poker last night. Let me begin by stating that 9.11 coverage by the media is a bit excessive considering the event happened 5 years ago in my personal opinion. However, I was terribly disturbed by the comments that followed the questions one of the players posed, What do you think about all this 9.11 coverage?... This young lady proceeded to say that she thought

1) it was media hype because it is an election year

2a)that she heard some child (and a may not quote this verbatim)...that they would be scared for life and would never heal

2b)that this child and others need to "get over it.. because it happened 5 years ago

The table conversation proceeded to discuss that acts like those of 9.11 occur in other countries all the time and American's should move on.

Now that I have had a night to marinate I would like to address each of these statements 1) every year is an election year for something... if you are referring to presidential... that would be next year ...if referring to legislative branch elections ...I think commonly we are coaxed by the media and politicians to link the events of 9.11 to the current war in Iraq... not to confirm or deny that one event led to the other... but I must say that I understand this point to a degree

2) it may have happened 5 years ago and it may occur in foreign nations ...all the time... but its frequency or location is irrelevant when dealing with the individuals that were/are affected nor does it make it right. If it was one or a few of their family members, a group of their friends or loved taken from them how would they feel? Would their opinions remain the same?

I do believe that the excess media coverage could be a partially harmful to the healing process if on practically every channel and with each flip of the daily paper from dawn to dusk that is all you read or hear...then yes it maybe dwelling a tad much on a past eventÂ…instead I think we have to be able to help individuals cope instead of criticizing their reactions (as long as they are not harmful to themselves or others) and if we are not going to do anything to help them... remain quiet...but EVERYONE is entitled to their opinion...The thing is you do not know what it takes for each individual to heal

Although these things may happen daily in other countriesÂ… be it right or wrong ... good or bad the US is commonly seen as a pattern of how to handle situations and formulate processes...therefore when a statement is made like "get over it, it happens elsewhere often"... annoyed me because maybe just maybe they are looking at the United States to formulate the proper recipe... or maybe not.. just a tcondescendinge open.. not so condesending

It is my personal thought that commonly humans lead/led a sheltered life, and it is my desire for all humans to be able to at least see outside of their immediate surrounds to see how others live, work, believe etc. I am not asking people to change necessarily, instead to first be respectful and open to the thoughts and beliefs of others... to be thoughtful and not speak ignorantly.

God Bless the World

Purses Made from TIRES?

Chec out the SECCO Rub-A-Dub Briefcase... these bags are maid from used tire inner tubes. Talk about recycling! Just ran across an article on these in a magazine and wanted to share. Hope each of you are having a pleasant day today.