HIV DRUG-GAMMORA FINALLY DISCOVERED IN ISRAEL.

A new HIV drug created by Israeli researchers has passed its first human clinical trial.

At end of the trial, it was discovered that the drug, named Gammora, created by Zion Medical, an Israeli biotech company was capable of wiping out 99 per cent of HIV infected cells in the human body.

According to a statement released by the company and available on PR Newswire, Gammora was able to eliminate up to 90 per cent of the virus during the first four weeks of the trial.

Zion Medical developed the drug Gammora in collaboration with the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and the Sirion Biotech in Germany.

The drug is designed to attack and kill the HIV-infected cells in the human body without causing damage to the healthy cells.

In the study, researchers randomly assigned nine participating patients from the Ronald Bata Memorial Hospital in Uganda to receive different doses of Gammora between four to five weeks in July and August of this year.

While the new HIV drug is still in its first stage of exploration, the results have already offered hope that a cure for the dreaded virus is possible.

“Most patients showed a significant reduction of the viral load of up to 90 per cent from the baseline during the first four weeks,” said Dr. Esmira Naftalim, Zion Medical’s head of development.

SECRETS OF POST UME NO ONE HAS EVER TOLD YOU>> TAKE NOTE NOW

Did you write Jamb? Are you among those that just can’t wait to gain admission into the university? Have you written Post UTME or about to write? Whatever category you fall into, kindly read this post to the end and learn the secret of Post Utme:

 

1) Read and Study:
People always say that gaining admission into the university is based on having the right connection and for this reason, people with low scores gain admission while those with high scores are told to try again next year. This isn’t completely true. People with high scores still gain admission on merit basis. That is why you need to study very hard to get those scores. If your scores are far above the cut off mark, then your admission is certain. That’s a secret of Post Utme.

2) Revise:
Going to an examination hall without revising what you have read is not good as some things read might escape your memory. Take some time to revise with past questions. Meanwhile, I would like to state that some of the past questions and answers sold by those campus hustlers actually have wrong answers. So you should take your time to cross check the answers so you don’t end up stocking your brain with wrong answers. That’s the second secret of Post Utme.

3) Travelling:
My third secret of Post Utme is about the challenges one might face while traveling for the examination. Most of us had selected schools located in states far away from our homes. Meanwhile, you might not have any friend or relative staying in that state so getting a free accommodation becomes a problem. Due to distance and accommodation issues some persons had missed writing their examination.

Let me tell you how to handle this situation. If you would be travelling to a new state, ensure you travel at least two days before your exam day. Yes! In previous years, some persons who travelled the night to the exam day, were not able to meet up with the examination because they got stuck by traffic and couldn’t meet up the examination scheduled time.

Ensure to travel and arrive at the school premises before the exam day. You can take out time to familiarize with your exam hall location so you won’t be among those who would be stranded on the morning of the examination. Don’t get yourself into such mess.

4) Accommodation:
If you have money you can lodge in a close by hotel but if you don’t have then you need to be careful of where you would be spending the night especially the young gals. On arriving the campus premises, you would meet existing male students who would offer to accommodate you for a day or two. Those guys deceive young girls into staying with them. They end up raping and killing some of their victims. So no matter how smart you think you are, think twice before you accept a free accommodation offer from a stranger.

If you don’t have any friend or relative in that state, I would advise that you identify with a religious group and they would assist you in getting a place to stay. Also you can go to the school authorized hostels, and definitely you would see a place or two to lay your head over there.

5) Examination day:
After registration, confirm your examination date and time so you won’t miss your exams due to ignorance. Also, endeavor to arrive at the examination hall, at least 30 minutes before the set time. Arriving late destabilizes you and can make you face embarrassment from invigilators. Be there on time and save yourself the stress. During the examination, ensure to obey every instruction given to avoid being charged a penalty. To avoid being implicated, ensure that you don’t provoke the invigilators in any way.

6) Fear Sorters:
Sorters are those people that would approach you with statements like “My dad is a lecturer in this school, if you are interested I would help you sort your admission. You just have to pay a token of 60 thousand.”

Well, the truth is that most of those persons are criminals who just want to deceive and dupe you. If you must sort, be very sure that the link is genuine so you don’t end up giving away your hard earned money to cheats.

Having read up to this point, I hope you have learnt some secret of Post Utme? Well, kindly leave a comment and share with your friends who are jambites.

TO AID  YOU SECURE YOUR UNIVERSITY ADMISSION  IN THE SOUTH SOUTH AND SOUTH EAST REGIONS, CALL-  07038977578.

 BEST OF LUCK

 

 

 

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR KIDNEY, LIVER AND HEART FROM AFLATOXINS

Aflatoxin is a secondary metabolite produced by toxigenic strains of A. flavus and A. parasiticus. Chemically, aflatoxins belong to the bifuranocoumarin group, with aflatoxins B1 (AFB1), B2 (AFB2), G1 (AFG1) and G2 (AFG2) being the most toxic. Liver is the main organ affected by these toxins.
Aflatoxin is a type of mold that is considered a human carcinogen. It’s found in certain commonly eaten foods including peanuts, peanut butter and corn, and is most harmful in parts of the world where people consume large amount of these foods, such as Asia and Africa.  The species of molds that combine to form aflatoxin grow in soils when conditions are just right, including when decaying food, plants, hay and grains are piled together to decompose in areas with high moisture and high temperatures.

There are actually at least 13 different types of naturally-occurring aflatoxin toxic molds that researchers have been able to identify. Of the 13 species, the type called aflatoxin B1 is considered the most toxic, capable of causing health problems such as liver disease or cancer, autoimmune responses, digestive issues and in rare cases even death. Research has shown that consuming aflatoxin through the food supply is one of the major causes of liver disease (specifically the type called hepatocellular carcinoma) in certain countries such as China and Africa.
Poultry is considered as the most susceptible animal species to aflatoxins. A meta-analysis (Andretta et al 2011) carried out on broiler performance in response to mycotoxins showed that aflatoxin (average concentration 0.95mg/kg of feed) and ochratoxin had the biggest effects on broiler performance. Aflatoxins on average significantly reduced feed intake by 10% and growth rate by 12%. Aflatoxins also significantly increased liver weight by 22% and the weight of kidneys, lungs, gizzard and the heart. Aflatoxins presented the most important effects of all mycotoxins on organ weight in broilers.

What Does Aflatoxin Do and Where Does It Come From?

Chemically speaking, aflatoxin is a type of “mycotoxin” which is produced by two different species of mold: Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. There are natural molds found around the world and concentrated most in the human food supply in areas with wet and warm climates. It’s also possible for aflatoxin mold to form in grains grown under poor conditions, such as those experiencing droughts.
The strains of aflatoxin most common in foods include B1, B2, G1 and G2.  After humans or other mammals consume aflatoxin metabolic processes turn then into metabolites M1 and M2 which have ” high carcinogenic potential.” International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified aflatoxin B1 as a “Group I carcinogen” that’s capable of raising the risk for cancer.  Aflatoxin seems to affect the ways that cells reproduce and also targets the liver, affecting the way that other substances are metabolized and eliminated, and possibly increasing food allergy reactions.
There are many different types of molds and fungus that can grow in food, including various species of mycotoxins, but aflatoxin has gained attention more than most others because studies have found clear evidence of its potential for causing carcinogenic effects. In animal studies, high levels of aflatoxin consumption has been shown to be poisonous, and in human observation studies aflatoxin consumption correlates with an increased the risk for certain illnesses and dangerous symptoms.
Over the last 100 years, there are have also been several occurrences when large populations of livestock (cattle, ducks, chicken, etc.) have died due to contamination of their food supply, especially peanut flour or cottonseed, which can sometimes become home to a dozen different strains of aflatoxin
Unfortunately, aflatoxin makes its way into some popular  “healthy” foods that aren’t actually healthy. The level of aflatoxin contamination in any given food will vary with geographic location, along with how the food was grown. Additionally, once crops are picked it matters how they are handled, processed and stored, since all of these can affect whether or not aflatoxin is able to survive and thrive. Some research shows that crops being grown in humid locations such as Brazil and China are most likely to contain aflatoxin.

Aflatoxin Symptoms & Health Risks

People living in Third World countries are most likely to be impacted by the negative effects of aflatoxin poisoning, but this doesn’t mean that developed nations are totally safe. The consumption of “staple crops” that can contain aflatoxin, such as corn and peanuts, are used globally, and even a small of aflatoxin in the food supply can wind up spreading and causing problems. How badly a person is affected by aflatoxin will depend on factors like their current state of health, level and duration of exposure, strength of their immune and digestive system, and overall quality of their diet.

There are two ways that aflatoxin contamination usually occurs: Either someone consumes large amounts at once and experiences “poisoning”, or they slowly acquire aflatoxin over time in smaller quantities. According to the FDA, poisoning is relatively rare but more dangerous and can lead to problems like liver cancer, mental impairments, digestive reactions, coma, hemorrhages and malabsorption.

Long-term, some of the symptoms that aflatoxin exposure can cause include:

• food allergies
• autoimmune disease reactions
• inflammation that affects the heart
• damage to the digestive organs including the liver and kidneys
• possibly a higher risk for liver cancer, viral hepatitis (HBV) or parasite infestation
• growth and development impairment
• the biggest threat is the symptoms seen in patients in liver diseases: vomiting, abdominal pain, water retention, pulmonary edema, convulsions, coma, and even death
• Research shows that aflatoxin targets the digestive organs most, especially the liver by raising the risk for liver cancer, heptitis and liver disease. Long-term exposure to aflatoxin is a major risk factor for cancer of liver called hepatocellular carcinoma, which causes liver scarring, loss of nutrients, inflammation of the digestive tract and other serious problems that can lead to death.
  

  ---

  How to Avoid Aflatoxin Foods & Lower Exposure

  The foods and crops most likely to be contaminated with aflatoxin include:
• peanuts
• corn
• milk and cheese (rarely, meat can also become contaminated due to the spreading in aflatoxin in livestock feed)
• nuts (especially almonds, Brazil nuts, pecans, pistachios and walnuts)
• grains including quinoa
• soybeans
• figs
• dried spices
• although it’s not commonly eaten, cottonseed is also a major crop that tends to grow aflatoxin

Experts believe that the biggest threat of aflatoxin to human health globally is the contamination of corn, since it’s such a widely-consumed, staple crop in many parts of the world that people depend on. Corn tends to be grown in humid climates that are likely to have contaminated soils. The spread of aflatoxin in corn can be hard to control because of the enormous quantity that it’s grown in, how long it’s stored and how often it’s processed to form other foods to be shipped globally. Because some populations eating a lot of corn might already have impaired immunity, aflatoxin in corn is a big concern for liver disease formation.
Aflatoxin in peanuts are another major concern for the same reasons. Peanuts are consumed in high amounts in countries across Asia and also in the U.S, plus they are used in many other types of processed foods (peanut butter, cereals, packaged snacks like cookies, ice cream, etc).

Tips & Supplements that Can Help Lower Aflatoxin 

Wondering what else you can do to avoid aflatoxin symptoms? Here are several tips for purchasing and handling foods, plus supplements that can boost detox effects:

• Don’t keep grains and nuts (corn, peanuts, almonds, for example) for long periods of time. Try consuming them ideally within 1–2 months
• Buy the freshest ingredients you can, ideally those grown close to your location and not shipped overseas. Reputable, small sellers who grow organic crops are most likely to harvest them at the right time and keep them stored properly
• Store grains, corn and nuts in places that are dry and cool to prevent mold growth. You can even freeze them to prolong freshness
• Soak, sprout and ferment grains, beans, legumes nuts and seeds before eating them! This is an easy step you can do at home that doesn’t take much time, boosts the availability of nutrients and helps lower presence of “antinutrients” and mold
• There’s also some evidence that eating detoxifying vegetables like carrots and celery reduces the carcinogenic effects of aflatoxins and helps cleanse the liver 

 

Consume the supplements below that can boost detoxification effects, cleanse the liver and improve digestion:

• Studies show that chlorophyllin and  chlorophyll supplements help to reduce the bioavailability of aflatoxin (11)
• Milk thistle, marshmallow root and dandelion root all help cleanse the liver and can lower digestive symptoms
• Activated charcoal can help bind to aflatoxin mold and carry it out of the body more easily

THE CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF MENINGITIS

Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges. The meninges is the collective name for the three membranes that envelope the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system), called the dura mater, the arachnoid mater, and the pia mater. The meninges' main function, alongside the cerebrospinal fluid is to protect the central nervous system.
The word "meningitis" comes from the Modern Latin word meninga and the Greek word Menix meaning "membrane". The suffix "itis" comes from the Greek word itis meaning "pertaining to". In medical English, the suffix "-itis means" "inflammation of".

Fast facts on meningitis
10-12% of meningitis cases in the industrialized countries are fatal.
20% of meningitis survivors suffer long-term consequences, such as brain damage, kidney disease, hearing loss, or limb amputation.
There are 2,300 cases of meningitis and meningococcal septicemia in the UK each year.
70% of meningitis patients are aged under 5 or over 60.
In the USA bacterial meningitis affects about 3/100,000 people annually.
In the USA viral meningitis affects about 10/100,000 people annually.
Bacterial meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b has fallen 90% since the Hib vaccine was introduced.
Antibiotic resistance is a major factor in global rising rates of meningitis.

What causes meningitis?

Meningitis is generally caused by infection of viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and certain organisms. Anatomical defects or weak immune systems may be linked to recurrent bacterial meningitis. In the majority of cases the cause is a virus. However, some non-infectious causes of meningitis also exist.
Bacteria mimic human cells to get in and stay in
A study carried out by researchers at the University of Oxford and Imperial College London, England, showed how bacteria that cause bacterial meningitis mimic human cells in order to evade the body's innate immune system.

• Viral meningitis
  Although viral meningitis is the most common, it is rarely a serious infection. It can be caused by a number of different viruses, such as mosquito-borne viruses. There is no specific treatment for this type of meningitis. In the vast majority of cases the illness resolves itself within a week without any complications.  
  Bacterial Meningitis
  
  • Bacterial meningitis is generally a serious infection. It is caused by three types of bacteria: Haemophilus influenzae type b, Neisseria meningitidis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. Meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitides is known as meningococcal meningitis, while meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae is known as pneumococcal meningitis. People become infected when they are in close contact with the discharges from the nose or throat of a person who is infected.
    Twenty years ago Hib was the main cause of bacterial meningitis - it is not any more thanks to new vaccines which are routinely administered to children.
    The doctor needs to know what type of meningitis has infected the patient. Certain antibiotics can stop some types from infecting others.
    
  • Bacterial meningitis in newborns and premature babies
    A type of streptococci, called group B streptococci commonly inhabits the vagina and is a common cause of meningitis among premature babies and newborns during the first week of life. Escherichia coli, which inhabit the digestive tract, may also cause meningitis among newborns. Meningitis that occurs during epidemics can affect newborns - Listeria monocytogenes being the most common.
  
  
  • Bacterial meningitis in children under 5
    Children under five years of age in countries that do not offer the vaccine are generally infected by Haemophilus influenzae type B.
  • Bacterial meningitis in older children
    Older children generally have meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitides (meningococcus), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (serotypes 6, 9, 14, 18 and 23) .
    
  • Bacterial meningitis in adults
    About 80% of all adult meningitis are caused by N. meningitidis and S. pneumoniae. People over 50 years of age have an increased risk of meningitis caused by L. monocytogenes.
  • Bacterial meningitis and people with skull damage implanted devices
    People who received a recent trauma to the skull are at increased risk of bacteria in their nasal cavity entering the meningeal space. Patients with a cerebral shunt or related device also run a higher risk of infection with staphylococci and pseudomonas through those devices.
  • Bacterial meningitis and weak immune systems
    People with weak immune systems are also at higher risk of infection with staphylococci and pseudomonas.
  • Bacterial meningitis and ear infections and procedures
    
    • Rarely, otitis media, mastoiditis, or some infection to the head or neck area may lead to meningitis. People who have received a cochlear implant run a higher risk of developing pneumococcal meningitis.
      A study published in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery found that children who are stricken with severe hearing loss are five times more likely to contract meningitis.
      In countries where tuberculous meningitis is common, there is a higher incidence of meningitis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
    • Anatomical defects or disorders of the immune system
      Either congenital or acquired anatomical defects may be linked to recurrent bacterial meningitis. An anatomical defect might allow a way to penetrate into the nervous system from the external environment. The most common anatomical defect which leads to meningitis is skull fracture, especially when the fracture occurs at the base of the brain, or extends towards the sinuses and petrous pyramids.
      59% of recurrent meningitis cases are due to anatomical defects, while 36% are due to weakened immune systems.
      

      Symptoms of meningitis 

      As meningitis and septicemia tend to show similar symptoms and incidences of both tend to rise and fall at the same time in geographical areas, this section refers to both meningitis and septicemia.
      Meningitis is not always easy to recognize. In many cases meningitis may be progressing with no symptoms at all. In its early stages, symptoms might be similar to those of flu. However, people with meningitis and septicemia can become seriously ill within hours, so it is important to know the signs and symptoms. Early symptoms of meningitis broadly include:
      
    • Vomiting
    • Nausea
    • Muscle pain
    • High temperature (fever)
    • Headache
    • Cold hands and feet
    A rash that does not fade under pressure. This rash might start as a few small spots in any part of the body - it may spread rapidly and look like fresh bruises. This happens because blood has leaked into tissue under the skin. The rash or spots may initially fade, and then come back.
     
    
    
    

    
    
    
    

    In babies, you should look out for at least one of the following symptoms:
    

    • a high-pitched, moaning cry
    • a bulging fontenelle
    • being difficult to wake
    • floppy and listless or stiff with jerky movements
    • refusing feeds
    • rapid/ unusual/ difficult breathing
    • pale or blotchy skin
    • red or purple spots that do not fade under pressure

 In older children, you should look out for:

• a stiff neck
• severe pains and aches in your back and joints
• sleepiness or confusion
• a very bad headache (alone, not a reason to seek medical help)
• a dislike of bright lights
• very cold hands and feet
• shivering
• rapid breathing
• red or purple spots that do not fade under pressure

The glass test

• Press the side of a drinking glass firmly against the rash.
• If the rash fades and loses color under pressure it is not a meningitis rash.
• If it does not change color you should contact a doctor immediately.

Treatments for meningitis

An interesting study published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal) looked at whether children with suspected meningitis should be given antibiotics before their transfer to hospital.
Meningitis treatment will generally depend on four main factors:

• The age of the patient
• The severity of the infection
• What organism is causing it?
• Are other medical conditions present? 
• Viral meningitis will resolve itself fairly quickly and does not usually need any medical treatment. If symptoms continue after two weeks the person should see his/her doctor.
  The treatment for severe meningitis, which is nearly always bacterial (but can be viral), may require hospitalization, and includes:
  
• Antibiotics - usually administered intravenously by injection, or through an IV.
• Corticosteroids - if the patient's meningitis is causing pressure in the brain, corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, may be administered to adults and children.
• Acetaminophen (paracetamol) - effective in bringing the patient's temperature down. Other methods for reducing the patient's fever may include a cool sponge bath, cooling pads, plenty of fluids, and good room ventilation.
• Anti-convulsants - if the patient has seizures (fits), he/she will be given an anti-convulsant, such as phenobarbital or dilantin.
• Oxygen therapy - if the patient has breathing difficulties oxygen therapy may be given. This may involve a face mask, a nasal cannula, a hood, or a tent. In more severe cases a tube may be inserted into the trachea via the mouth.
• Fluid control - dehydration is common for patients with meningitis. If a meningitis patient is dehydrated he/she may develop serious problems. It is crucial that he/she is receiving adequate amounts of fluids. If the patient is vomiting, or cannot drink, liquids may be given through an IV.
• Blood tests - measuring the patient's blood sugar and sodium is important, as well as other vital body chemicals.
• Sedatives - these are given if the patient is irritable or restless.

If the meningitis is severe the patient may be placed in an ICU (intensive care unit).

•  

OUR DAILY EVERYDAY TECHNIQUES TO SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT

Charity begins at home, you start today, your neighbor starts tomorrow and the whole city starts doing this sooner than you realize, how about that? No, I can’t be that optimistic; but what’s the harm in throwing the idea around? Are you with me?
A young man step from all of us can make a sea change in our environment. Let our leaders sign environmental protection treaties, let them reduce carbon emission from factories. You, you don’t keep quiet, do something today, whatever you can and let’s make this place a better one for our children even to our four generations.

Various ways you can help save our environment

We all pollute the environment we live in, I do, and your dog does too. It’s very much in our control to reduce this pollution.
1. Go paperless, save environment. Sure you can’t stop advertisement leaflets coming in to your mail box (shouldn’t there be an environmental law to ban this practice, or at least, be made it mandatory to use recycled paper?) but, you can control the statements, updates and notices which you get from your financial institutions.
Select paperless as the mode of communication. Mostly all of them support this. It’s high time that all govt. agencies implement this too.
2. Stop using bottled water. This may be very hard for many, I understand. If it’s not that hard for you, start using re-usable materials and fill it up every time.
3. Stop smoking. Smoking creates pollution inside of your body and for the people around you. Even after hours of smoking, your kids can be recipients of harmful effects of your nicotine consumption.

The pollution caused by cigarettes does not stop in our bodies or the air around us; it also affects the land we live on and the water that we drink. Millions of cigarette butts are discarded on to the ground every day“.

4. Use less electricity. There are various options to save on electricity, I can write an entire post about this. The easiest of the ways is to use fan instead of an AC, if you can. Air drying clothes, letting sunlight come in the winter and blocking it in the summer are other easy options to try out at your home.
5. Use less gas. Bike to work, car pooling are the easier options you can try. There are various other effective ways to save on gas.
6. Recycle. Don’t just throw your old electronics and batteries to trash. Make use of local free recycling facilities. Dispose your plastic containers as well by separating them out from normal trash.
7. Use reusable shopping bags. It was my wife’s idea to start using reusable bags. They are made of cloth and need cleaning once a week. We eliminated a lot of plastics from our life this way. You can do the same.
8. Buy fresh local produce. Whenever you have option to buy from farmer’s market or local grocers, give it a preference. Processed goods take a lot of energy, first for processing part and then, the fuel consumption in transportation.
9. Save water. Sweet water is a scarce resource and it’s being depleted at a greater pace than earth is replenishing it. There are various ways to save water in everyday use from fixing leaky outlets to adjusting the timers on sprinklers.
10. Use emails and eGreetings. Unless you are already using it, what’s preventing you from going ‘e’ route? Apart from being environment friendly, it also reduces effort required to pass your message across.
11. Use ceramic cups. Instead of plastic, paper or Styrofoam, the ceramic cups can be used over and over.  This reduces the impact on the environment and on your budget.
12. Print less. Unless it’s absolutely necessary to print, refrain from doing so.  When you do have to print, consider printing on both sides of the paper.
13. Buy items with recycled materials. For an example, you can get two types of coffee cups. One with fresh paper and one with recycled paper. You can identify by reading the label on the pack.
14. Reuse and re purpose. whenever possible, re-use the containers, cartons and envelops. Oh, your tooth-brush as well! For cleaning my sports shoes, I use old tooth brushes, it goes in to the grooves perfectly. Here’s 30 ways to reuse bottles and containers.
15. Use energy-efficient items. In the long run they save a lot of money and energy. Bulbs, use LED bulbs, even fluorescent light bulbs consume 1/3rd (or lesser) of the energy of incandescent light bulbs. For other equipments like, AC, refrigerator, washer, etc buy Energy Star appliances.
16. Use clothes more than paper. Reduce paper usage by using cloths to wipe your hands or the things you normally wipe with paper towels. My home is paper towel free and I use old dresses to make wipe cloths. Do you know something called handkerchief?
17. Use microwave.  I am not sure if you can bake cakes in a microwave. Last time I checked, my wife also didn’t know. But, she could tell me 100′s of other dishes that can be cooked in microwave. Use microwave more often to reduce your carbon footprints.

18. Leak proof your home. Ensure you are not losing warmth or cool through leakages, by having your home properly insulated and window and door seals checked.  By doing so, you are saving energy and money.
19. Replace air filters. AC air filters for your home and car, if replaced regularly, can save a lot of energy which in turn can save you money.
20. Consume less. This is for your financial good as well. Live simply, use your furnitures and clothes until they can’t be used any more. If possible, check out used items on Craigslist or garage sales.

Steps to absorb pollution

21. Plant trees. Your garden/patio or balcony, do you have space anywhere? Grow plants, grow flowers, and attract honey bees wherever you find a place for a pot. If you have a garden, you can go on a green mission by planting as many trees as your yard or garden permits. A good-looking home and better place to live, for sure!
22. Donate to organizations that help planting more trees and work towards a better planet. I am a member of Fairchild Botanical Garden, here in Miami, FL. My membership dues go to green causes.
23. Pickup and deposit pollutants. Whether at home, at work, at local super market or while running or jogging, if you find a pollutant like plastic or Styrofoam on your way, pick it up and put in a nearby trash bin.
24. Volunteer in anti-pollution drives. Many cities here in south Florida organize periodic beach cleaning events. Thousands of volunteers donate their time towards these large-scale environmental cleaning events. Check in your local area for opportunities like this.
25. Have indoor plants. Indoor plants and aquatic plants (in aquariums) are very efficient in cleaning the inside air pollution of our homes.  Think about it, by spending a little money to green up our homes we are improving our health as well. In the long run, these efforts should pay off in terms of better health.
26. Drive a clean car If vehicle emission check is not mandatory in your state, you may still go for one. If there’s a problem it can be fixed. Another way to contribute in similar way is to report smoke emitting vehicles. On searching your local DMV or city website, you may locate to report a violation.
27. Make better use of your recycle garbage bin. If possible have two different trash cans at your home. Sometimes not all recyclable materials are pout in to recycle bin. Even if you can save one piece of paper from being dumped without getting recycled, you have contributed to the environmental protection.
28. Buy local items. Specifically local food items require less transportation. Thus consuming food grown locally actually reduces gas usage.
I hope you enjoyed this article and you’ll start practicing a technique or two in your daily routine. If not majority of the steps, you can easily follow a few. If you are willing to follow all 25, you deserve a good hug from me!
I know, only a few of us practicing green living won’t change the environment around us. Still, I would like to wake up to a tomorrow where earth is cleaner and environment is safer to live. I dream on…

WAYS WE CAN PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT

Nigeria is our home.Taking  care of it is profitable for our own well-being and for that of the future generations. This means protecting our natural environment. Today, our island is facing severe environmental problems such as air, water and land pollution, deforestation, poorly planned urbanization, extinction of endemic plant and animal species, soil and beach erosion, depletion of marine resources, destruction of wetlands, traffic congestion, excessive production of solid waste and water shortage.
 we are faced with threat about the future.To protect our environment we should first of all devise a national plan to curtail our ecological and water footprint. We are presently using more resources than what our island can provide us with and this is not sustainable.
Here are  simple ways to conserve and protect the environment through small changes to your daily routine for a better world for you, your family, your community and all living things.

1. Create a compost heap in your garden or use a compost bin. This helps recycle food waste and other biodegradable materials.

2. When going shopping, make it a habit to bring your own eco-bags and say no to plastic bags as much as possible.

3. Join as many tree planting trips as you can.

4. If possible, try carpooling to work, business presentations, events, or even to run errands. Think of ways you can reduce the number of trips you make using your car.

5. Reduce emissions from cars by walking or cycling. These are not just great alternatives to driving, they are also great exercise.

6. Use public transport, when you can, for everyday travel.

7. Send your drinking bottles, paper, used oil, old batteries and used tires to a depot for recycling or safe disposal; all these very cause serious pollution.

8. Do not pour chemicals and waste oil on to the ground or into drains leading to bodies of water.

9. Wherever possible, separate biodegradable and recyclable waste from non-biodegradable and work to reduce the amount of non-biodegradable or recyclable waste.

10. Reduce the amount of meat you eat, or even better become vegetarian.

THE COMPREHENSIVE SUMMARY OF JAMB 2017 NOVEL- “In Dependence” by Sarah Ladipo Manyika .

ABOUT THE AUTHOR OF INDEPENDENCE Novel: SARAH LADIPO MANYINKA

Sarah was born and raised in Nigeria. She has also lived in Kenya, France, and England. Her father is Nigerian and her mother is British. Sarah inherited her maiden name (Ladipo) from her father who was born in Ibadan (South West Nigeria) in the late 1930s. Sarah's father met and married her mother in the UK in the late 1960s. She spent much of her childhood in Lagos and the city of Jos in Plateau State. As a young teenager, Sarah lived for two years in Nairobi, Kenya, before her family moved to the UK.

She studied at the Universities of Birmingham (UK), Bordeaux (France), and Berkeley (California). She was married in Harare, Zimbabwe, in 1994 and now divides her time between San Francisco (where she teaches literature at San Francisco State University), London and Harare. Her writing includes published essays, academic papers, book reviews and short stories. Sarah's first novel, In Dependence, was published by Legend Press in 2008. Her short story "Mr Wonder" appeared in the 2008 collection Women Writing Zimbabwe.[6] Sarah's novel In Dependence was chosen by the UK's largest bookstore chain as its featured book for Black History Month. In 2009, In Dependence, was published by Cassava Republic, a literary press based in Abuja, Nigeria, with a stable of authors that includes Teju Cole and Helon Habila.

ABOUT THE BOOK INDEPENDENCE - BY SARAH LADIPO MANYIKA

“In Dependence” was published in the UK in 2008, in Nigeria in 2009 and in the US in 2011. It is Sarah Ladipo Manyika’s first novel. The novel begins in the early 1960s when Tayo Ajayi meets Vanessa Richardson, the beautiful daughter of an ex-colonial officer. Their story, which spans three continents and four turbulent decades, is that of a brave but bittersweet love affair.  It is the story of individuals struggling to find their place within uncertain political times – a story of passion and idealism, courage and betrayal.

In Dependence can be described as a love story. But it is more than that. It traces the trajectory of Nigeria’s political history; the military coups, the bad and treacherous leadership, and its renewed tentative steps towards democracy. It speaks to the demise  – in the 1980s – of Nigeria’s international reputation and the country’s rapidly destabilizing reality. It looks at the poor whose situation never improved but actually worsened.

Using events in Tayo’s life, it describes the effects of misrule on the country’s universities and the ensuing massive brain drain that Africa experienced. Sarah Manyika achieves all this with a voice and an outlook that is truly authentic and objective. The author captures the mood and feel of different decades and the three continents – Africa, Europe and America – that serve as settings for the story. Its scope is vast and sweeping.

SUMMARY OF THE NOVEL IN DEPENDENCE- BY SARAH LADIPO MANYIKA

Tayo Ajayi, a Nigerian, and Vanessa Richardson, an English woman, had their affair boiling when it started, but as circumstances were meant to intervene, the relationship went sore and it seemed nothing could ever bring them together.

 The book has characters that behaved in like-patterns, like in the case of Tayo’s friend, Yusuf, who had dated lots of white English ladies. He (Yusuf) ended up marrying a Nigerian Woman as predicted (Yusuf knew what he wanted and seemed to get it). Tayo also ended up the same way in as much as his affair with Vanessa Richardson had been gleaming, although his had been out of the mistake of getting a young woman (Miriam) pregnant. And talking of pattern, the novel’s beginning had opened up introducing Tayo’s affair with Christine, a Nigerian Igbo lady.

One would think that Manyika had to end Tayo’s relationship with Christine for the sake of bringing in Vanessa into Tayo’s life, but still, Tayo had to end up marrying Miriam. And still the marriage failed, giving in to the familiar pattern.

Miriam in Manyika’s novel represented the breeds of the Nigerians that would always run away to live abroad due to the collapsing image of their home country. Miriam went away with her daughter leaving Tayo behind. In as much as she persuaded Tayo, he wouldn’t go. She didn’t like an inconveniencing life. She wanted the best life for her daughter. Tayo, on the other side represented the crude breeds of Nigerians that felt home was home even though the country was boiling in corruption. In as much as the failure of the country stared firmly at his face with daggers, he chose to stay. Towards the late pages of the novel he had to leave the country under threatening circumstances against his life from the ruling military regime.

The entire novel is told from the good days of Nigeria’s independence down into the nineties. I applaud Manyika’s ink, here. In as much as the setting of this novel floated through England, Senegal, USA, and France, she was able to use her third eye to draw out Nigeria’s journey into the worse lanes of corruption, and hopelessness.

Faith is another issue that Manyika dealt with. It didn’t matter to her if one was a Moslem or Christian. Reading through this novel, one couldn’t tell if Tayo came from a Moslem or Christian family but we did know he embraced more of the Christian faith. She failed to point out the difficulties of inter-religious marriages in the novel, but centred more on the difficulties of interracial marriage.

During Tayo’s life as a part time lecturer in Sans Francisco, Manyika used a scene to unbolt some deeper issues of racism. She pointed out the racist ties between the African American and the pure African. These issues she raised apply everywhere even within Nigerians.

A Yoruba would refer to an Igbo as a greedy money monger and dubious monster, and in turn the Igbo would refer to the Yoruba as a dirty, loquacious and foolish personality who spend all he earns on parties and alcohol. It had to be understood that racism was one those existences that would live for a long time as far as misunderstanding between people existed.

I captured lines that are coated with humour in this novel, but could be called racial remarks. Young black Yusuf came clean in his conversation with Tayo. He said white women were for sex treats while black women were for decent relationships that could lead to marriage. He added that a white woman looked so old when she turned thirty.

The worst racist in this book is Vanessa’s father who was a one time colonial master in Nigeria before 1960. He was against Tayo marrying his daughter, and had refused to accept Vanessa’s adopted half-cast son. He seemed more racial against half-casts earlier in the novel confronting Tayo about his fears for a half-cast grandchild. It was later understood that his hatred for the blacks was as a result of an affair his wife had with a black man during the colonial era.

Manyika, whose picture shows she is perhaps half-cast, was able to make a point here. She drew a difference between being black and being a half-cast (brown). This would have been quite a storm for her to write about because of the racial wind against the brown people living in whitely dominated regions. In contrast to a pure black country, half-casts are seen beautiful which Manyika failed to point out. In fact in the black continent, the typical black man may feel inferior to a half-cast.

Manyika was also able to portray the polemic attack Nigerians receive from around the world these days. She didn’t bring this to print but the image was represented, and I had to figure it out. I can say it clouds around the pain felt each time an IELTS or TOEFL exam is required before a Nigerian could study abroad. This doesn’t exclude a masters’ degree. Does the world think Nigerians speak Latin or Greek or some kind of language called ‘Nigerian’?

‘I said I haven’t heard you speak Nigerian,’ Joyce says.
Joyce is one of Manyika’s English characters. And I like the way Yusuf replies this. ‘Nobody speaks Nigerian, you daft thing,’

A coincidence in this novel which I refuse to accept was the scene in which Vanessa had just come across one of her best music, Hugh Maskela, a song that reminded her of Nelson Mandela… And on the same day, not even up to two hours if I could rightly predict, her white husband is presenting her with ‘Long Walk to Freedom’, Nelson Mandela’s biography. What a coincidence!

I also do not embrace the fact that Manyika saw hope for Nigeria through the eyes of Tayo only when Abacha died. There are still Abacha loyalists in Nigeria today who will find this offending. She should have kept the line in a riddle.

Vanessa did meet with Tayo at the end of the novel, but it was hard to predict if at all a love relationship was ignited between them. Vanessa was still married, but Tayo wasn’t. Manyika maintained a non-adulterous plight between the two here. The happy-ending-formula which most romance writers adapt was blurring in the novel.

What’s your take on this? I urge you to use this same opportunity to share this information across to others using our Facebook, twitter or Google+share button below.


For further reading consult---- know the different characters in details.

SURE HEALTH PROCEDURES FOR PERMANENT WEIGHT LOSS

As an actual health counselor, I’ve spent the past 3 years helping people lose weight, and I’ve learned a lot in the process, says Radiance Hawthorne( +2348066528280). Many of my patients were successful, many regained weight, and some didn’t lose much weight at all. In the process, I learned a lot about successful long-term weight loss in the real world — not TV weight loss; not celebrity weight loss, which usually includes private chefs, trainers and nannies, but rather weight loss for real (often stressed out and overworked) people trying to lose weight while living their lives. This kind of weight loss includes monthly challenges like holidays, vacations, loss of motivation, and even changes in the weather that affect exercise. In addition, working as a part-time writer, diet and nutrition media expert, and TV host that evaluates almost every diet out there, I’ve also realized that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to dieting — most diets will work for some people some of the time. So rather than tell you what to eat, I thought I would share what I believe are seven of the best tips for losing weight, and keeping the weight off, no matter what diet you choose to follow.

Pump up the volume of meals.
We eat approximately the same volume of food every day,[1] so including foods with lower calorie density (calories per gram) is essential unless you eat very small portions (like the French). Foods that have lower calorie densities are high in water (fruits, vegetables, soup, low-fat or fat-free dairy), high in fiber (whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables) and lower in fat. Foods that do not contain water, like dry salty snacks, crackers, and dense baked goods have a higher calorie density even if they are fat-free, and portions need to be carefully controlled. By permanently modifying meals and recipes to include more low-calorie-density ingredients, you don’t have to cut portions to lose weight and keep it off, and eating well is much more live-able.
Limit liquid calories.
Our body simply doesn’t register liquid calories like calories from solid food, so it is very easy to consume too many calories each day drinking extra-large lattes (even if they are fat-free), sugar-sweetened beverages (including sweetened tea, sports drinks, and even juice, which has naturally occurring sugar but is still loaded with calories), and alcoholic beverages. Downsize your morning latte, limit intake of sugar-sweetened beverages as much as possible, drink juice out of old-fashioned juice glasses (which used to be 6 or 8 ounces), and if you drink alcohol, avoid sugary mixers and cut calories from elsewhere in your meal if possible.

Make mindless eating work for you.
Numerous studies have looked at the relationship between a person’s eating environment and food intake. By building a better eating environment, you can mindlessly control calories for good, no matter how stressed you are at work or how much your motivation levels drop. How? Start with dishware. Eat off smaller plates, out of smaller bowls, and drink out of tall, thin glasses. In your pantry, fridge and freezer, keep more tempting foods out of sight as much as possible by putting them on higher shelves or transferring them to opaque storage containers. At the dinner table, leave serving dishes containing higher-calorie foods in the kitchen and keep lower-calorie vegetable dishes on the table within easy reach for seconds. Entertaining? Limit variety of less healthy foods (this is also important when stocking your pantry), as research shows that increased variety equals increased caloric intake.
Think outside the gym when it comes to exercise.
Yes, getting at least 30 minutes per day of cardiovascular exercise five times a week and twice-a-week sessions of strength training is critical, but you can actually burn far more calories over time by increasing lifestyle-based activity like standing while talking on the phone, getting off the train or bus a stop early and walking the rest of the way to work, or engaging in more active hobbies like bowling instead of going to the movies, or taking dance lessons instead of photography lessons. Research shows that basic things like dishwashers, cars, elevators, and washing machines cause us to burn fewer calories per day, so you have to find a way to burn these extra calories despite advances in technology. Adding in as much non-exercise activity can really add up in terms of calories burned over the long run, and is much easier to permanently incorporate into your life, no matter how motivated you are.
Ditch the all-or-nothing mentality.
I can’t tell you how many times patients come in and tell me they “took the weekend off” from their diet (or worse, a week or more if they are on vacation). I don’t expect anyone to be perfect all the time. In fact, I encourage my patients to indulge early on in their weight loss program to help them build confidence, learn to handle controlled indulgences, and bounce back from less healthful choices quickly. Don’t act as if there is a switch in your brain that determines whether you are on or off a diet — instead, make better choices most, not all, of the time, and you will be less tempted to go “off your diet,” gain back some or all of the weight you have worked so hard to lose, and perhaps even stay “off your diet” for good.
Think ahead.
I personally don’t do well at planning out my meals for the week, but many of my patients are much more successful when they do. I tend to eat, and buy, many of the same things each week, so less of a plan is required. I do insist that patients always have somewhat of plan for eating away from home — whether it is making sure you have three or four restaurants around the office that have healthful choices, looking at the restaurant menu ahead of time if you are eating out (especially at ethnic restaurants) to figure out better choices, or deciding ahead of time what you are going to indulge in at a party or dinner out (wine, bread, dessert, or pasta). By mentally committing ahead of time, you limit the mindless eating and drinking that often occur at social eating occasions. If you are attending a party or dinner, offer to bring a healthful dish so you have a safe option to fill up on, or eat a little snack before heading out the door (lean protein and vegetables work best to prevent overeating — and include a little healthy fat if you plan on drinking, as fat delays the absorption of alcohol).
Always have a plan B for eating and exercise.
This is essential, especially for the majority of Americans who are busy juggling work, family, and home and don’t always have time to get to the gym, prepare the best food, or find the healthiest restaurant. If you can’t make it to the 7 a.m. spin class, don’t skip your workout altogether — try to squeeze in even a 10-minute walk at lunch or after work, or do the first 20 minutes of an exercise DVD at home or 10 minutes of push-ups and sit-ups if you don’t have time for more. Consistent, smaller changes really do add up over time. And always stock your freezer with a few healthful frozen meal options, including entrees and frozen vegetables, for those nights when you don’t have time to cook and are tempted to order pizza or Chinese food. Finally, always try to keep an emergency healthful snack pack on hand to take the edge off hunger and give you time to make the best eating choice possible if you haven’t eaten for hours. Smart and easy snacks include fresh fruit, portion-controlled bags of nuts, and lower-sugar, higher-fiber protein or energy bars.
In addition to the seven tips above, try to eat fewer foods out of a box (highly processed foods, especially snack foods, often encourage over consumption), weigh yourself regularly (but not so often that you drive yourself crazy or get depressed chasing the number on the scale), and focus on both quality and quantity when it comes to what you eat. Nutrient-dense foods like whole grains, beans, fruits and vegetables (especially when they are in season), lean protein, low-fat or fat-free dairy, and healthy fats (nuts, seeds, avocado, and olive oil) should be the foundation of any diet plan.

MENSTRUAL HYGIENE TIPS EVERY GIRL SHOULD KNOW.

When a girl has a period for the first time, it is a distinct step into womanhood. Here are some tips to help you stay clean and hygienic during your periods.

Most of us go through our periods very secretively and don’t really bother to figure out if our practices are hygienic or not. At times, we may wear the same napkin for a whole day. Women is villages and smaller towns still use reusable unhygienic cloth during their periods. And since periods are considered unclean, they are not even allowed to use detergent for washing the soiled cloth well in some households.
Here are some tips to maintain hygiene during your periods, some of which you may not know about:
1.  Choose your method of sanitation:
Today there are a number of ways including the use of sanitary napkins, tampons and menstrual cups to stay clean. In India, most unmarried girls prefer to use sanitary napkins. If you do decide to use a tampon remember that it is essential to choose one that has the lowest absorbency rate for your flow. While there are some women who choose to use either different types of sanitary napkins on different days of their periods or different methods of protection (like a tampon and a sanitary napkin), there are some who prefer to stick to one type and brand. The best tip here is to try and use one brand for one type of protection for a while to know if it helps your needs. Frequent switching between brands can make you uncomfortable since brands are as unique as you, they suit everyone differently.
2. Change regularly:
Menstrual blood – once it has left the body – gets contaminated with the body’s innate organisms. This rule applies for even those days when you don’t have much bleeding, since your pad is still damp and will have organisms from your vagina, sweat from your genitals, etc. When these organisms remain in a warm and moist place for a long time they tend to multiply and can lead to conditions like urinary tract infection, vaginal infections and skin rashes.
The standard time to change a sanitary pad is once every six hours, while for a tampon is once every two hours. That being said, you have to customize the changing schedule to your needs. While some women might have a heavy flow and would need to change more often, others will need to change less frequently. There are a few instances where your sanitary napkin or tampon might not be completely used – usually on days when you have a lesser flow – but you must change at regular intervals.
In the case of tampons it is very important because, if left inserted into the vagina for long periods of time it can cause a condition called TSS or toxic shock syndrome – a condition where bacteria infiltrate the body leading to severe infection that can send to the body into shock – that requires emergent treatment and can lead to serious complications and even death.  
3. Wash yourself regularly:
When you menstruate, the blood tends to enter tiny spaces like the skin between your labia or crust around the opening of the vagina and you should always wash this excess blood away. This practice also tends to beat bad odour from the vaginal region. So, it is important to wash your vagina and labia (the projecting part of female genitals) well before you change into a new pad. If you cannot wash yourself before you change make sure to wipe off the areas using toilet paper or tissue.
4. Don’t use soaps or vaginal hygiene products
The vagina has its own cleaning mechanism that works in a very fine balance of good and bad bacteria. Washing it with soap can kill the good bacteria making way for infections. So, while it is important to wash yourself regularly during this time, all you need to use is some warm water. You can use soap on the external parts but do not use it inside your vagina or vulva.
5. Use the right washing technique:
Always wash or clean the area in a motion that is from the vagina to the anus. Never wash in the opposite direction. Washing in the opposite direction can cause bacteria from the anus to lodge in the vagina and urethral opening, leading to infections. Read about urinary tract infections.
6. Discard your used sanitary product properly
It is essential to discard your used napkins or tampons properly because they are capable of spreading infections, will smell very foul. Wrapping it well before discarding it ensures that the smell and infection is contained. It is advised not to flush the pad or tampon down the toilet since they are capable of forming a block and can cause the toilet to back up. More importantly it is imperative that you wash your hands well after you discard your used napkin since you are likely to touch the used portion of the pad or tampon while discarding it.
7.  Beware of a pad rash
A pad rash is something that you might experience during a period of heavy flow. It usually occurs when the pad has been wet for a long time and rubs along the thighs causing it to chaff. To prevent this from occurring, try to stay dry during your periods. If you do have a rash, change your pads regularly and stay dry. Apply an antiseptic ointment, after a bath and before bed – this will heal the rash and prevent further chaffing. If it gets worse do visit your doctor who will be able to prescribe you a medicated powder that can keep the area dry.
8.  Use only one method of sanitation at a time
Some women who have heavy flow during their periods tend to use either (i) two sanitary pads, (ii) a tampon and sanitary pad (iii) a sanitary pad along with a piece of cloth. This might seem like a good idea, but it actually is not, changing regularly is a better option. Using two pads or a tampon and a sanitary pad is bad because the two pads absorb the blood and you don’t see that they are completely used up you are unlikely to change at regular and healthy intervals. This can lead to rashes, infections and in the case of tampons even TSS. Another consideration is that if one does use a piece of cloth as extra protection that cloth may not be the cleanest thing to put next to your private parts.  Lastly, the whole two pad structure is extremely uncomfortable and can leave you with a bad rash and an even worse temper.
9.  Have a bath regularly
To some it may seem like the most inane advice, but in some cultures it is believed that a woman should not bathe during her periods. This myth was based on the fact that in the olden days women had to bathe in the open or in common water bodies like a river or lake. But with indoor plumbing having a bath is the best thing you can do for your body during your periods. Bathing not only cleanses your body but also gives you a chance to clean your private parts well. It also helps relieve menstrual cramps, backaches, helps improve your mood and makes you feel less bloated. To get some relief from backaches and menstrual cramps, just stand under a shower of warm water that is targeted towards your back or abdomen. You will feel much better at the end of it.
10.  Be ready with on-the-go stuff during your periods
When you have your periods it is important to be ready. It is important to have extra sanitary pads or tampons properly stored in a clean pouch or paper bag, a soft towel, some paper tissues or towels, hand sanitizer, a healthy snack, bottle of drinking water, a tube of antiseptic medication (if you are using one).
Changing your pads/ tampons regularly is essential, so you will need extra. More importantly storing them properly so that they don’t get contaminated is as important as changing. Pads or tampons that remain in your bag without a clean pouch to protect it can also lead to infections like UTI (urinary tract infection) or vaginal infections. The soft towel can be used to wipe your hands or face if you wash them. Paper towels are the important to wipe off the excess water after you wash your private parts. It is best you don’t use toilet paper for this as it tends to shred and tear when it touches water. Your hand sanitizer is a very important factor here. You will need it to clean your hands and you can use it to clean the flush knob and tap faucet as well. The snack is a backup in case you feel weak or run down during the day and the bottle of water is to help you stay hydrated throughout the day.
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