The Gut

The gut is an ecosystem, just as much as the oceans. One should be cautious on using antibiotics, as both the "good" microbes and the "bad" guys can be attacked in the gut.

The microbes in the gut produce vitamins, they have enzymes that can digest things that we can't, and they aid our immune system. Upon termination of treatment involving antibiotics, it is assumed that the gut returns to normalcy. Not so.

One culprit thrives during antibiotic therapy and prevents the reappearance of a normal microbial community. The bad germ is known as c.diff. Infection by this bad microbe can cause prolonged bouts of diarrhea, fever, anorexia, nausea, even death.

Mice practice coprophagia (they eat each other's feces.) When a group of healthy mice was divided, sample A received antibiotics while sample B group received no antibiotics. After medication ended, mice from group A only developed c.diff problems.

Then sample A and sample B mice were cohabitated. All the mice were cleared of c.diff. and returned to a normal microbial mix. This seems to echo findings looking at 18 human patients who had suffered recurrent c.diff episodes.

Stool was taken from a donor who was free of c.diff, inserted through the patient's nose via a tube, then deposited in the stomach. No catsup.

After 9 years, 15 of the 18 had no c.diff recurrences, 2 had died of unrelated illnesses and one had a single recurrence of c.diff.

fr WSJ

Wiffle Ball Tale

She was sitting on top of the couch, at the window waiting for me to return. As I pulled into the driveway, home from dental school, Greta, our brown Dachshund, lit up with glee.

A package of six wiffle balls had arrived. Immediately Greta took me to the box of balls, I grabbed one and threw it across the floor. The dog jumped it and brought it back and dropped it, ready for round two. A new bonding, man and dog, had begun.

Benjamin Franklin Quotation

An investment in knowledge will pay the best dividends.

Mob Museum To Open in 2011

The old post office will be renovated in downtown Vegas to become a mob museum.

Mayor Oscar Goodman,a lawyer who once represented various Vegas mobsters says that when he arrived in Las Vegas in 1964, casinos were owned by individuals although hidden ownerships by primarily Midwest mobsters were there too.

Still, Goodman voiced some nostalgia for an era he recalls as being full of iconic entertainers, comped drinks and meals, and service with a smile.

"They knew your name. They treated you like a king. I hope Vegas returns to that someday".

Mob money helped fuel development of the Strip from the 1940's to the 1970's, then law enforcement closed them down. This era helped define Las Vegas as it has grown to a major global entertainment mecca.

DF2B

Texting terms are emerging, a new short hand.

UG2BK You got to be kidding GBTW Get back to work

NMP Not my problem PIR Parent in room BI5 Back in 5 minutes

GFTD Gone for the day FYEO For your eyes only DEGT Don't even go there !

And DF2B Don't forget to brush.