Monthly Archives: February 2010

This is a pioneering procedure British allow a woman to get a new kidney from her sister – even though the organ would normally be rejected.

Maxine Bath had been kept alive by dialysis, and had no matching donors in her family. However, doctors in Coventry used a technique called “cryofiltration” to remove the immune molecules that cause rejection. Doctors said it could allow more people to undergo transplants. A total of 927 kidney transplants from “living donors” took place in Britain last year, although thousands more people remain on waiting lists, because a matching donor cannot be found.

Basically, organ rejection happens when the body recognizes the new organ as foreign, and the immune system reacts against it. The risk can be reduced if the donor organ comes from another family member, and patients will often take drugs for the rest of their lives to ‘damp down’ their immune response.

Meanwhile Maxine, 41, from Wolverhampton, who had been in kidney failure for 15 years, was found to have immune system antibodies against the tissue types of all her family members, which seemed to rule them out as “living donors”. Ways of removing these antibodies could not be used, as she had low blood pressure, and they could lower it further.

However, the new technique of cryofiltration did not present the same risk, and this is believed to be the first time it has been used to help a patient receive a non-matched organ. The procedure involves circulating the blood plasma through a machine which heavily chills it, turning proteins and antibodies into a gel-like substance which can then be easily filtered out, before the plasma is re-warmed and returned to the patient.

According to Dr Rob Higgins, a kidney specialist at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, “Maxine would have gone blind within two years because of her low blood pressure, if she had not received a new kidney. This is another innovative measure we have implemented at the trust which opens the doors of donation for more kidney patients awaiting transplants.”

Both Maxine, and her sister Michelle, who was the closest match available in the family, underwent the procedure five times before the transplant took place. The operation, carried out in November, has already transformed Maxine’s life.

Last weekend, one of the British tabloids got a hold of a story saying that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie had met with an attorney to discuss the future of their children, since they were not married and provisions had to be made. This, in turn, led to speculation that they were on the verge of breaking up – a breakup in which Jolie’s affair with singer Lady Gaga might have played a part, as Ian Halperin claims.

For those who are not familiar with Ian Halperin, he is an investigative journalist that also covered the life of Princess Diana and Michael Jackson. Just recently, Halperin came out with a book titled “Brangelina Exposed,” which, as its name implies, exposed the Brangelina couple for a pair of hypocrites manipulating the public. Now, Halperin claims to have knowledge that Jolie’s infidelity might have also played a part in her recent (rumored) separation from Pitt.

The thing that started all this rumor frenzy, the meeting with their attorney on money issues, did take place – it just didn’t happen for the reasons named by the tabloid media. Far from breaking up, the two stars are thinking ahead and planning for their children’s future, all six of them (Brad and Angie share custody of 6 kids, 3 adopted and 3 biological).

The power couple did indeed visit a high-powered L.A. lawyer last week – but only to cover their assets. ‘They aren’t married, so they need to protect their children and property in case there’s a rift in the future,’ a source says. That certainly makes sense, considering the two are worth a whopping $330 million combined.

Before my scheduled time-off, I’m already thinking what to do when I get home. I have tons of options and sorting is not that easy as I like almost all of it. Of course, I have to choose one since I can’t do two things at once.

When I arrived home, the first thing I did is open my computer. After checking my emails and the rheumatoid arthritis treatments, mother asked me, my eyes are slowly closing. I can’t manage to get them wide open. Now, my plans are ruined because for sure I’ll be sleeping for at least two to three hours. Sigh! But, at least I can rest that’s the consolation I get.

What better time to acquire a PDA than today?

That is the question that bugs me almost every day. For the past few months I no longer have the means to monitor my blogs whenever I want to. I’m already spending much of my time in my training place. Plus, my schedule is shifting; graveyard, afternoon and morning. With that I’m losing lots of opportunities in blogging.

If only I have a PDA where I can keep inside my pocket all the time, it would be an Angel. Even if I own a small laptop, it’s not the perfect option when inside the training place. PDAs perfect! Mobile Internet Devices are multimedia capable handheld Intel Atom powered computers which provide wireless connectivity, better performance and longer battery life. It’s a bit larger than that of smartphone, but smaller than a Tablet PC.

For sure, I’ll be very productive and efficient with my time.