CYP450s and Transporters in the Human Brain

I thought this article was great because it described the levels of CYP and transporters expressed in the various areas of the brain.  They not only measured total brain levels, but levels of the different enzyme and transporters in brain regions.  Very interesting work!

Stay at the Fairmont Hotel

We spent an impromptu night at the Fairmont last night and had a fantastic time!!  The rates were great - I'm assuming because of the number of unoccupied rooms - and the service was amazing.  Ricky Ricardo the delivery guy was hilarious!  We had a great room service dinner and watched the Changeling too!  Fantastic mushroom bisque soup!

New Vitamin Rich Corn

I love corn and now that they've found a way to dump in a ton of vitamins, I'm even happier!!!  Read this story for the details!!

Yard Sale!

This cartoon reminded me of my mom pulling together all of her friends' stuff for garage sales on the weekend.  She loved to put those together and still does!!!

25 Years Ago in SF Politics

I read this story in the Chronicle this past Sunday and was reminded of how much things in politics haven't changed over the past 25 years.  The story describes then SF mayor Dianne Feinstein writing an angry letter to the Bored of Supes to offer Tony Bennett an apology over an attack leveled upon him by the intimidating Warren Hinckle.  I'm sure Bennett was really scared but at least Feinstein was putting her office and time to good use!  Our tax dollars at work!

Softball Game

We went to watch AR play in a Battle of the Undefeateds Softball game yesterday and this picture has almost everything in it.  AR hit a home run and is now the first base coach.  He was down 0-2 in the count, but came through with an inside the park home run.  And, it's a good thing he did because if he would have struck out, he never would have lived it down!  You can also see DivaD in the foreground and a girl on the team who had taped her number on the back of her jersey.  As the game wore on, she went from #14 to #11 as the tape started to peel off.  The crazy cheerleaders for the other team are also off in the distance.  The other team had the better cheers, but that doesn't win games and they lost by something like 17-3.  What a massacre.  The only thing this picture is missing is the skipping of one of AR's teammates, the other team's captain who was called Durty Gurl, and MH's bottles of vodka.

The Two Piracies in Somalia

After all the pirate activity off the coast of Somalia recently, I started wondering why all these attacks started and heard a program on Democracy now that discussed one explanation.  Then, I read this really interesting story by Mohamed Abshir Waldo that basically suggests that foreign countries took away the ability of the Somalis to make a living by encroaching on their fishing areas.  These other countries were backed by a strong navy and could take over the seas from the Somalis and ruin their way of living.  So, the pirates are outraged fishermen that have lost their livelihood.  Violence is never the answer, but I thought this was an interesting take on the situation that is not given any airtime in the mainstream media.

Media Ignores Consequences of Celebs Drinking and Driving

I would have to say this research finding should be hit with the "obvious" stick (or umbrella).

Exercise May Affect the BBB

This mouse study suggests that exercise can help prevent the oxidative stress that occurs in the brain after some stimulus that causes the BBB to become more permeable.  In this study conducted at the U of Kentucky, the stimulus was methamphetamine which caused an upregulation of NADPH oxidase, an enzyme involved in oxidative stress, and may have contributed to the leakier BBB.  These effects may be translated to the leaky BBB seen in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's patients.

Run or Freeze from Mountain Lions?

I read this interesting research summary that studies the attacks and survival of people that have encountered mountain lions.  I always thought it was best to remain frozen and not run away which might make you look like prey.  But, according to this story, it's best to run - if you are a good runner.  I prefer the safest method - stay out of areas with mountain lions!

microRNAs and Deafness

A team of researchers from Purdue and Tel Aviv University have identified hair cell microRNAs that are involved in deafness.  They hope that if they can be delivered to the proper cells, hearing may be restored.

Chalkdust Album Cover

I love this calypso singer and so does MH!  He actually has a PhD in history and ethnomusicology from U of MI and is an assistant professor at the University of the Virgin Islands.

New Book About Indians

Everything You Know About Indians Is Wrong is a new book by Paul Chaat Smith that promises "Forceful and eloquent essays on the American Indian in culture and history."  He's a curator at the National Museum of the American Indian.  There's even a section in the book called "Struck by Lightning".  I might have to check it out and it's only $15 on Ebay!!

Tom Tom's New Outfit

Thumbs up!!

Bigfoot

I was reminded of my weekend in Reno.

Foie Gras

I have to admit that I'm not a huge fan of foie gras, but it has nothing to do with the way it is made.  Especially since the steaks and chops I eat are collected in probably much worse conditions and using even more terrible methods.  But, this story in the Chronicle was interesting (if it's all true) because the author claims that foie gras produced by the 3 farms in the entire US is done humanely and they have open door policies.  But, France still does it the old fashioned way I guess.  Anyway, I agree with the author that SF politicians have more important things to worry about that foie gras!! 

Lecture as SJSU

I gave a lecture at SJSU last night to a class of 5 people on Pharmacology and Drug Metabolism.  I prepared for about 2 hours, but it turned into 3 with questions.  I was running out of steam near the end, but it felt great to get back into the classroom.  Even if I was a little rusty and not on my 'A' game!

The Bad Mood Zone

The Bad Mood Zone is a GREAT idea!!!

DESI-MS Detects Potential Drugs on Seaweed

I read about this group at Georgia Tech that is using desorption electrospray mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) to detect small organic compounds on the surface of plants off the coast of the Fiji islands.  In this report and in a PNAS paper, they have focused their attention on one particular type of seaweed is very good at fighting off microbial infections.  They were able to identify 28 different anti-fungal compounds from this one species and preliminary testing suggests they have anti-malarial effects.

Thrilla in Manila Documentary

We just watched a new HBO documentary on the buildup to and the Thrilla in Manila fight between Ali and Frazier.  This show was more critical of Ali and his terrible name-calling and race baitig that other documentaries I had seen about their encounters.  I thought the Ali camp (esp. Pachecho) came off as pretty arrogant.  I didn't know that Ali spoke at a Klan rally!  I also found it interesting that Ali actually wanted to quit after the 14th round, but Frazier's corner beat him to it.  It also includes footage of Frazier watching a replay of the fight for the first time.  I guess it took 1-2 years for the filmmakers to get him to agree watch it.  I thought it was very well done, but I wish we could find out how Ali thinks about Frazier now.

Water Fountain

Franky and Indy are fascinated by the bubbles that will 0ccasionally percolate up in their water fountain reservoir.  They can sit and watch it for hours.  But, usually it's just one or the other watching for them.  But, as we were cleaning up for the dinner party, I took this picture.  What a life!

Another Reason to Hit the Clubs!

According to this research study, dancing can help age gracefully.  I knew all those nights at the clubs would pay off somehow!  Awesome!

The Flowbee!!

This cartoon reminded me of EH's dad who used to cut his hair using the Flowbee.  Hilarious!

SE to the rescue!!

Crystal Structure of P-gp

This paper describes the crystal structure of Pgp.  Be sure to get a color version as it is difficult to read without colors.   I also need to find a way to incorporate "unidirectional lipid flippase" into daily conversation!

Bad Diners!!

WOW!  The things that go on at restaurants!  This story in the chronicle details several crazy incidents that restaurant workers recall including: someone throwing a bottle threw an expensive window, someone that just couldn't stop smuggling coca-cola into the restaurant, and someone pole dancing.  It sounds like Pizzaiolo in Oakland is the place to be!

Undertaker 17-0

I predicted that the Undertaker would run his record to 17-0 at Wrestlemania by beating Shawn Michaels.  But, Michaels put on a hell of a show!  It was an AWESOME match!!  Almost as good as Rock-Hogan in 2002.

Inactivation of Human CYP450s by MAO Inhibitors

In this paper, John Miners groups at Flinders University demonstrate that the hydrazine MAO inhibitors are able to inactivate human CYP450s in vitro.  The type of inhibition appears to be MIC formation that is reversible upon addition of ferricyanide.  Phenelzine and isoniazid were found to inactivate a number of CYPs, however, it's unclear if the inactivation would be relevant at concentrations observed in vivo.  But, the group generated alot of data and did a pretty thorough characterization of the inhibition.

The Not So Fresh "Prince" of Nepal

I read this story abou a guy passing himself as royalty from Nepal and scamming his way to millions of dollars and through school in The City.  He lived a lavish lifestyle using other people's money and allegedly made some dumb moves down in Palm Springs and is accused of killing someone.  Crazy story!! 

Natural Function of Drug Metabolizing CYP450s

This 2009 paper out of Dr. Guengerich's labat Vanderbilt identifies the "natural" function of the drug metabolizing CYP450s present in human liver extracts.  They used a combination of 18O/16O isotopic labeling techniques in their in vitro incubations and LC/MS analysis of the extracts to identify a number of fatty acids as as substrates of CYP1A2, 2C8, and 2C9.  Very cool idea!

Poor Posture Seasickness Connection

Since 1991, Thomas Stoffregen at the University of MN has been postulating that poor posture is the cause for seasickness.  Apparently, his idea has not been received but is now gaining some traction.  Inside a "moving room" at the University, the further apart student would spread their legs apart (approx 1 foot)  the lower the incidence of motion sickness.  I'm definitely going to try this out on our next fishing expedition!!!

Is seasickness the reason for poor posture?

Since 1991, Thomas Stoffregen at the University of MN has been postulating that poor posture is the cause for seasickness.  Apparently, his idea has not been received but is now gaining some traction.  Inside a "moving room" at the University, the further apart student would spread their legs apart (approx 1 foot)  the lower the incidence of motion sickness.  I'm definitely going to try this out on our next fishing expedition!!!

FMO Review by Cashman

John Cashman at the Human Biomolecular Research Institute published this 2008 review on FMO.  

I recognize this doctor!

It looks like EH to me!!

Kaintwakon (Cornplanter)

I read a story in the American Indian Magazine about Kaintwakon (aka Cornplanter) who was an Iroquois chief back around the time of the American Revolution.  After his people joined forces with the British and defeated the Americans at Newtown, Washington sent out forces to destroy the Iroquois villages.  After the war, Kaintwakon negotiated some treaties with Washington and in the War of 1812, his people supported the American cause.  Eventually, he grew weary of the poor abuse of his people by the government and broke off relations.

Herb Caen Column

The Chronicle has been publishing some of Herb Caen's columns this past week and I've been really enjoy his style of writing.  I've attached the link to his article on capital punishment.  We need more writers like him in the Chronicle!! 

5 Year Anniversary

My 5 year anniversary working for the same company was celebrated today and I got a huge balloon and a crystal plaque.  The years have gone by fast and I've learned alot and had a great time!!  You can't make it 5 years without some great co-workers!!  I had thoughts of taking the balloons with me on the buses and BART, but then decided against it.

S & M Moving Company

We were playing basketball yesterday and I saw a moving van from this company.  I wonder if they intended to name the company S&M??

Xray's Debut Performance

Our company band, Xray, performed live at Ashekenaz for the first time last night.  A few of us met at Zachary's for pizza beforehand and then went to the show.  They were surprisingly very good!!  They played a mixture of songs from different artists and genres and are going to perform at our summer picnic.

Alabama Chicken

I saw this sign for a restaurant in Berkeley last night.  I'm sure KL's mom and family would love to eat here!!!