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Saturday, July 11, 2009

Hepatitis B




Hepatitis B is a viral disease caused by Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)which attacks liver cells resulting in inflamation. Acute illness leads to jaundice and even to death. Chronic symptoms leads to Cirrhosis and liver cancer. The Virus comes under hepadnae virus group.It is a DNA virus and it has DNA as genome patially double stranded DNA.

Structure of HBV



Source : Google Images

The HBV transmits through blood and body fluids containing blood..
1. Unprotected Sexual Contact
2. Blood Transfusion
3. Re-use of contaminated needles, etc

Hepatitis B can be prevented by Vaccination Recombinant vaccine has been developed for Surface Antigen (HBSAg)- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen.The vaccine released in the name Engerix / Recombivax

Cancer: Tumor and its genes, Causes, Treatment

Tumor is an abnormal mass of cells, which can be of Begnin type or Malignant Type.
Begnin Tumors are Loacalised to particular site while Malignant tumors can metastasize(Can Spread to different parts of the body).
Tumor is classified based on the site it occurs..

Lymphoma
Retinoblastoma
, etc

The genes responsible of tumor development are called as Oncogenes.The gene responsible for Breast cancer are BRCA I & II, for Retinoblastoma Rb, There are many factors involved in the Tumor development.

Tumor Cells


Image Souce: Google Images

There are Certain Factors which can pre-dispose to cancer some of them are

1. Tobacco Smoking, use of Gutkas,etc..
2. Increased alcohol Consumption can lead to cancer
3. Exposure to X-rays
4. Cosumtion of more animal fat

Treatment:

It depends on the size, stage and location of the Tumor

1. Chemotherapy : Chemical agents are used
Examples
Alkylating agents
Anticancer Antibiotics
Antimetabolites
Plant Alkaloids

2. Radiation Therapy: Radiation
3. Surgery

or combination of these

Fact
75% of the Anticancer drugs are sourced from Plants
Taxol - Taxus burgata
Vincristine and Vinblastin - VInca rosea
Campotecin