Hospital Serial Killer – Super Bugs Created With Jumping Genes During Bacterial Sex: Although many of us have heard about killer bugs found in hospitals like MSRA it is not generally appreciated how these bugs develop and spread. Antibiotic resistance genes are able to piggy back onto jumping genes (plasmids or transposons) that can be spread by bacterial sex. Explicit pictures and explanations below… 

Most of us are aware of the recent development of killer bugs that have become resistant to many of the antibiotics used against infectious diseases. Our hospitals are favoured breading grounds for these ‘super’ bacteria causing them to thrive in the very places we visit to get treatment against them. Few people however understand how these unpleasant killers become resistant to our drugs. Where does the resistance come from and how can it spread between bacteria? Why do super bugs flourish in hospitals?

Over 40 years ago in 1974 Alan Jacob and Susan Hobbs published research demonstrating that jumping genes are transmitted between bacteria when they engage in sexual activity. Specifically they demonstrated this phenomenon in streptococci bacteria which normally live in the human gut. They belong to a broader group of microbes known as gram positive bacteria – this group causes many of the most unpleasant human diseases. Like humans bacteria store all of their genetic information in chromosomes. Jumping genes can jump out of the chromosome of one bacteria and then transfer into another bacteria as they engage in sex. These jumping genes can then insert themselves into the chromosome of their new host.

At this stage I have to declare a personal relationship with one of the discoverers of antibiotic resistant jumping genes. Less than 5 years after Jacob and Hobbs published their seminal paper I was fortunate enough to carry out a research project under the supervision of Dr. Alan Jacob as part of my first degree dissertation in the Bacteriology Department based in Manchester University’s Medical School. My own research used the same bacterial strains featured in Jacob and Hobb’s original work and I spent the best part of a year trying to better understand this phenomenon of bacterial sex and how it gets hijacked by jumping genes to create the killer bugs that are the scourge of modern hospitals.

So what are these jumping genes? In the scientific community they are normally referred to as plasmids or more recently transposons. In my last article explaining how turning off genes can lead to depression I described a simple way to visualise genes strung along a chromosome like a set of beads on a necklace (the link to my ‘depression’ article is here). Bacteria generally have one very large circular chromosome (‘necklace’) containing all of their genes (the ‘beads’). Each gene contains the construction information for a key piece of equipment needed by a fully functioning bacteria (most of this equipment is in the form of proteins – which are miniature pieces of molecular machinery).

Sometimes bacteria possess genes along a short section of their DNA ‘necklace’ which can cut themselves out of the big chromosome and create a mini necklace – a plasmid (see the diagram above). These genes, that are able to extract themselves out of the main chromosome (necklace), are what we sometimes refer to as jumping genes. They can literally ‘jump’ out of a chromosome and at a later stage re-insert themselves back into the chromosome (or into the chromosome of another bacterium following sex).

Plasmids, with their short strand of genes, can exist either within the much bigger chromosome or they can exist separately from it as a free circle of genetic material floating within the bacterial cell. Although a typical plasmid does not contain as many genes as a whole bacterial chromosome it can carry some very useful genes. For example a plasmid may carry genes which help a bacteria to resist being killed by antibiotics. It was this kind of plasmid that I investigated nearly 40 years ago. It carried resistance to the antibiotics streptomycin, kamaycin, neomycin, erythromycin and tetracycline.

When it comes to survival bacteria can be very versatile. As with higher forms of life they use sexual activities to share useful bits of genetic information with each other. Often bacteria containing plasmids will have small appendages like hairs or tubes on their surface – we can think of these as the ‘male’ bacteria. The photo above is of these appendages or pili on the surface of the streptococcus I worked on in 1979 (sorry about the quality but these electron microscope pics were taken 37 years ago!).

If a hairy male bacterium (containing a plasmid) comes across a ‘female’ bacterium that does not have these pili on its surface they ‘get together’. One of the things I found in my research was the existence of a sex hormone or pheromone given off by the ‘female’ bacteria to entice the ‘males’ into conjugative behaviour. If the conditions are right the ‘male’ will then transfer a copy of his plasmid into the ‘female’ bacterium. In this way any genes on the plasmid such as those for antibiotic resistance can be spread through the local bacterial community (bacteria are not strictly speaking male and female but this analogy should help you to understand what is going on).

OK – this explains somewhat simplistically how bacterial sex works in spreading multiple antibiotic resistance but where did this resistance come from in the first place? To understand this we need to appreciate where most antibiotics exist in nature. Scientists in pharmaceutical companies spend a lot of time messing about with soil. This is because in soil there are huge numbers of different kinds of bacteria and other microbes all living together. This is not however a very peaceful co-existence – the bugs are highly competitive and constantly fire selective killer chemicals into the soil around them to kill off their neighbours. After killing off the competition they can eat their share of the nutrients (in fact they will also eat their dead neighbours).

Pharmaceutical scientists try to find and evaluate these selective killer chemicals produced by microbes. They hope to find ones that can kill disease causing bacteria but will not harm humans. This is how many antibiotics were originally discovered. Some, like penicillin, were simply products made by microbes that very effectively killed other microbes. Others were chemical modifications of microbial products which were more effective or more selective in killing their target organisms.

I produced an article about 4 years ago explaining how bugs living in the soil had also developed defence mechanisms to protect themselves from killer chemicals produced by their neighbours (the link to my soil bacteria article is here). Scientists had discovered that the genes for these antibiotic ‘defence’ mechanisms could be transferred between bugs by – yes you guessed it – bacterial sex. Their results showed that antibiotic resistance found in bugs in hospitals was the same as that found in soil bugs. This meant that hospital bugs may be picking up antibiotic resistance by sex with soil bugs.

In the hospitals we have historically used our armoury of powerful antibiotics in a very uncontrolled and uncoordinated manner. Rather than testing each patient to check which microbial strain causes their disease and then identifying precisely which antibiotic kills that strain they have tended to use antibiotics on a try-it-and-see basis. Here they use the patient as a test laboratory – if the first antibiotic doesn’t work then they try another, and perhaps another until symptoms improve.

In addition to wasting patient time and hospital resources each time an antibiotic is unsuccessfully used it increases the concentration of bugs resistance to that antibiotic. The hospitals are using patients as incubation chambers to select and concentrate antibiotic resistant bacteria. About 90% of the cells in our bodies are not human cells – they are bacterial cells that normally live in harmony with us in our guts and on our skin. Some of these bacteria will be naturally resistant to certain antibacterial agents and through microbial sex with jumping genes they spread the resistance to their neighbours. If we kill all the antibiotic sensitive bugs through uncontrolled antibiotic use the few resistant ones left will have a field day enjoying all the nutrients left behind. Before long most of the bacteria in our bodies will be the drug resistant ones.

Not only are we concentrating antibiotic resistant strains in our hospitals but since we also feed a lot of our farm animals with antibiotics we are also developing antibiotic resistance centres around our farms. Any bugs that happen to get washed out of the farm or hospital into the local soil (perhaps via the sewage) will then be able to transfer their resistance genes through sex with other bacteria in the soil. And so the vicious circle continues – mankind has taken some incredibly useful antibiotic products and effectively made them useless by uncontrolled excessive use in hospitals and by feeding them to farm animals.

The pace of increase in our knowledge about molecular biology is phenomenal and we are already finding that this knowledge is helping us in the fight against terrible diseases like cancer. We should however learn from history – it is over 40 years since jumping genes and bacterial sex were identified as important factors in the spread of multiple antibiotic resistance in hospitals. My own dissertation was written in 1979. Today many of the pathogens identified in our hospitals are resistant to the main drugs we have developed to use against them.

The advance of multiple antibiotic resistance could have been slowed by:

• testing the sensitivity of pathogens isolated from a patient before using drugs – only use antibiotics that work on that pathogen to keep drug usage to a minimum.
• using antibiotics in controlled campaigns – rotating their use instead of using them all at the same time – as soon as the prevalent bugs develop resistance to the current drug you can rotate to a new drug and stop using the first one (until resistance levels in the local bacterial population subsides).
• banning the use of antibiotics similar to those used in human medicine for animal farming purposes.

To see an illustrative video of bacterial sex (parental guidance not necessary) here is a link.

When I prepared the Duggleby family tree going back nearly 1000 years I was struck by how many families were nearly wiped out by diseases like small pox, diphtheria and plague (Link to the tree is here see pages 9, 10, 29, 32, 46, 78, 110 – look for the black boxes). Sadly as we come close to conquering the worst effects of some forms of cancer we may be faced with the return of some of these old diseases due to our inability to apply antibiotics responsibly. Of course we could provide drug companies with financial incentives to develop new antibiotics – welcoming in an era in which new antibiotics will be as expensive as the treatments for leukaemia or AIDS.

Chris Duggleby

Here is a link to the original paper in which Alan Jacob and Susan Hobbs first identified multiple antibiotic resistance plasmid transfer via conjugation in gram positive bacteria (‘jumping genes’). The importance of their work was recently (2016) reconfirmed in an editorial in the Journal of Bacteriology – link here.

If you are interested in reading my other health focused articles try the following

Torture In The Shower – Face and Body Soap Allergies – Main Suspect: Pears Transparent Soap

Poison in your Washing Machine: Allergic Contact Dermatitis from Laundry Detergents, Softeners, Conditioners and Whiteners

Is Alzheimer’s caused by the Gum Disease Bacterium P. Gingivalis – A Dementia Prevention/Treatment Breakthrough?

Toxic Chemicals in Sex Toys – 18 Vibrators, Cock Rings, Love Balls Tested – Only 3 Get All Clear

My T-shirt Made Me Sick – Textile Allergies – Sinusitis From Your Underwear

Linking Poverty to Depression – Genes of Poorer Adolescent Children Permanently Labelled for Depressive Behaviour: Depression later in life can be influenced by early childhood events. It may be linked to similar conditions in our parents. Recent research has shown how this could be happening at the genetic level by turning-off key genes necessary for the transportation of serotonin – the body’s ‘happiness’ messenger. An explanation is provided of how disadvantages in childhood like extreme poverty, maltreatment, neglect or exposure to violence may trigger later depression – by permanently ‘tagging’ genes and turning them off. 

We all inherit a double set of genes from our parents, one set from our father via his sperm and the other set from our mother through her egg. These two sets combine in what is our first cell which then multiplies to create the billions of human cells that make up our body. In this way every human cell in our body starts off with the same two sets of genes (except for when we make our own sperm or egg cells – here our double set is halved so the cycle can continue when they meet up to create our children).

You inherit genes from your parents through the information coded in DNA – an incredibly long molecule that the genes are made from. You can think of DNA as a string of thousands of genes arranged rather like the beads on a necklace – each bead containing the information to manufacture a molecular component of the machinery that makes up our body. More recently we have discovered that these genes can be tagged or marked by adding a small molecular methyl group. One of the purposes of this methyl tagging process is to turn off the gene.

Turning off genes is important because not all of our genes are needed in every cell. For example the cells which make up the lens of an eye do not need to be able to produce the enamel which is normally found in teeth. However since all cells contain the same set of genes (in their ‘necklace’) they all have the instructions to make every component needed throughout the body. So to avoid every cell producing loads of stuff which would be useless for its specific job many of its genes are turned off as the body develops from the original single cell. A bit of the DNA molecule that is close to the gene has the ‘don’t make me‘ methyl tag attached to it.

When a gene is shut down using a methyl tag it usually stays shut down and even if the cell multiplies this gene can stay shut down (so all the new cells produced when this cell divides also get a methyl tag attached at the correct spot). This means that, early in our development, once eye cells have been tagged to not produce tooth enamel they and their offspring cells continue to have this enamel gene turned off. If this didn’t happen we might end up with teeth growing in the middle of our eyes!

Methyl tagging doesn’t just turn off ‘construction’ genes like those to make enamel or eye lens material. It also works on important messenger molecules that play a role maintaining our balanced psychological state. One of these messenger molecules (made by the gene SLC6A4) is involved in transporting the ‘happiness’ molecule serotonin which stimulates the nerve cells in our body (and importantly in our mind). If the SLC6A4 gene gets turned off using a methyl tag it will not be produced and can’t be involved in telling our nerve cells (and our mind) when happy times have arrived.

What do we mean by happy times? Well serotonin is produced in the gut when a big delicious meal has just landed on the table in front of us. It tells the gut muscles to start contracting so the food will move quickly through our digestive system and we can get the benefit of all those yummy nutrients. It also warns other important parts of the body ‘get ready – nosh is on the way’.

Serotonin also helps create a general psychological feeling of well being. This is important in evolution – it lets an animal know that tasty meals are good and should be consumed as often as possible. That’s why eating can make us happy. Problems preventing serotonin transport in the body have been associated with anxiety and depression – this is why you can think of it as the happiness molecule.

Recently the turning-off of the serotonin transportation gene SLC6A4 by methyl tagging has been linked to increased incidence of depression. Not surprisingly if you can’t use the happiness molecule serotonin you feel depressed. The levels of methyl tagging have been found to be increased when children had been subject to traumas such as childhood abuse or after they experience extreme levels of poverty (low socio-economic status). Once tagged these genes stayed tagged preventing the transport of serotonin which was associated with an increased incidence of anxiety, depression and related disorders later in life.

Last week research was published linking an increased in tendency towards later depression with experiences of lower socio-economic ‘stress’ in a group of 132 adolescent children (Molecular Psychiatry 24th May 2016: Swartz, J. R., Hariri, A. R. & Williamson, D. E.). The authors found that an experience of poverty in childhood causes increased methyl tagging (turning off) of the gene for serotonin transportation. They followed the development of these children, carrying out research at three different times, to demonstrate that this increased methyl tagging did indeed lead to an increased prevalence of depressive symptoms.

In addition to demonstrating this chain – poverty leading to methyl tagging leading to higher incidence of depressive disorders – the researchers also confirmed an increased likelihood of children from parents with depression also suffering from the same disorder. If methyl tagging is leading  to depressive symptoms this may well be being inherited – demonstrating what is known as an ‘epigenetic’ mechanism  for inheriting mental illness. A genetic mechanism is where information inside a DNA molecule is inherited – an epigenetic mechanism is where the DNA molecule has been altered by the cell and this alteration is passed to future generations. the use of methyl tagging to turn off a gene is an example of such a change.

This means that although a child may have a full complement of all the genes necessary for a happy and mentally balanced life some of these genes may actually be turned off permanently through poverty or some other trauma in childhood. The turning off may even occur to the DNA of the child’s parents causing the child to inherit its parents’ tendency towards depression. This could help to explain why some psychological symptoms like alcoholism, drug dependency, obsessive compulsive or anxiety related personality disorders appear to have a hereditary component.

I personally find this an exciting development – we are reaching a point with molecular biology where the chemical basis of clinical problems related to the mind and human psychology are starting to be understood. Understanding how conditions in a person’s environment or inherited from their parents are chemically linked to mental problem could help provide us with tools to treat some very serious psychological conditions.

Meanwhile on a slightly lighter note – Tryptophan, a chemical the body uses to manufacture the happiness molecule serotonin, is found in high levels in 85% cocoa chocolate (so is serotonin but sadly it can not cross our blood-brain barrier whereas tryptophan can). So after enduring all this scientific stuff why not treat yourself to some pre-emptive anti-depression therapy. Time to open up the chocolate!

Chris Duggleby.

Chris Duggleby started his scientific career studying Bacteriology and Virology at the Manchester University Medical School. From there he went on to spend over 35 in the chemicals and oil industries which included setting up a polymers research and development group in Geneva, Switzerland for a major international chemicals company. Following an MBA from Warwick University he went on to lead a number of international manufacturing and marketing operations in the Chemicals, Plastics and Oil industries. This included being the founding President of Formosa BP Chemicals Corporation in Asia. His work involved living and working in Europe, Asia, the USA, the Middle East, and Russia. More recently he was invited to take on a senior leadership position in the Audit Department of the BP International Oil Group. Here he used his global change and risk management experience to help the group reshape its management structures and processes following a major environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. He has now retired to focus on writing about risk management and producing music in his VALIUMM studios. If you are interested in risk management check out his RiskTuition.com or BizChangers.com (management of change) sites. He has also recently launched the JointVentureRisk.com site.

If you found this article interesting please consider taking a look at some of his other recent reports on similar subjects.

Just click on the titles below:

…starting with some more serious stuff:

21st May 2016 Skin Cancer and Cataracts From Your Car – Poor UV Side Protection – Windows Tested From 15 Vehicle Makers

19th April 2016 Torture In The Shower – Face and Body Soap Allergies – Main Suspect: Pears Transparent Soap

14th March 2016 Eliminating Noisy Commuter Calls – Cheap Cell Phone Jammers – Hidden Costs:

13th March 2016 Bugs Evolve That Can Eat PET Plastics Used In Bottles And Textiles

3rd March 2016 Using Gene Drives To Change Mosquito Sex In Fight Against Zika, Dengue and Malaria

1st March 2016 Ladies – upto half a satisfying sexual event per month but risk of side effects from “Pink Viagra” Flibanserin (“Addyi”)

14th Feb 2016 Breast Cancer – How Blind People Use Their Enhanced Tactile Sensitivity to Save the Lives Of Women With Tumours

3rd Feb 2016 Zika Infection Spread By Sex In Dallas – Earlier Sexual Transmission In Colorado – Detailed Symptoms 

1st Feb 2016 Sexual Competition Between Women – Ovulation Can Be Seen In The Face

31st Jan 2016  Bed Bugs – Insecticide Resistance – Arbovirus Transmission – Zika and Microcephy

19th Jan 2016 ZIKA Virus Epidemic  – Health Warning – Pregnant women should postpone travel to affected areas – Including Brazil 

17th Jan 2016 Bubonic Plague Special – Lice – Hosts for The Black Death Bug

13th Jan 2016 Kill Head Lice In A Day With The Newly Developed Plasma Nitcomb From The German Fraunhofer Institute

8th Jan 2016 Cancer from Handbags, Shoes and Gloves – Allergic Reactions to Jewellery – German Institute Identifies Excessive Chromium 6 and Nickel Levels

26th July 2015 Poison in your Washing Machine: Allergic Contact Dermatitis from Laundry Detergents, Softeners, Conditioners and Whiteners

17th October 2015: Health Risk: Vitamin and antioxidant supplements help cancer cells become malignant – latest research from Texas

31st May 2015: German Concern about Potentially Carcinogenic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Cosmetics  

29th December 2012: Spreading diarrhea and vomit through the washing machine– The Norovirus propagator in our kitchen

and here are some fun related articles:

19th March 2016: Joggers – How To Stop Dogs Chasing You – Research Into New Pet Friendly Technology

9th March 2016: Penis Ring Emergency – German Fire Fighters Rescue Man From Painful 13 Cock Ring Torture: Vorsprung durch Technik and erectile dysfunction

4th March 2016: Dachau Industry Park Evolves From Concentration Camp To Nudist Wellness Club (Brothel)

21st June 2015: Bio-undies: Guilt free Passion with ‘Easy Emma’ and ‘Loose Harry’and Getting Rid of Garden Snails with Rent-a-Duck

4th March 2015: Hamburg Reeperbahn (St. Pauli): Germans install walls that urinate on passers-by

17th April 2014: Niche On-line Dating Services (Specialities: Herpes, Thrush and Genital Warts)

18th March 2014: Germany and Finland Joint Investigation: New Case of Sexual Cannibalism Including Self-mutilation (Castration) During Intercourse.

18th August 2012: How Bavarians and Austrians use their middle finger – Fingerhakeln: a men-only sport (did Arnold Schwarzenegger start training this way?).

You can also find some of my more humorous reports in the Alpine Press section of this site using the link here.

Skin Cancer and Cataracts From Your Car – Poor UV Side Protection – Windows Tested From 15 Vehicle Makers. As summer approaches many of us will be spending more time in our cars – oblivious to the fact that this activity may be increasing our risk of skin cancer or cataracts. Recent research showed the side windows of a large number of vehicles (see list below) provided much lower levels of UV resistance than the front windscreens. This may well explain the higher incidence of cancers and cataracts on the sides of drivers closest to vehicle side windows.

During the last year I found myself becoming more interested in the causes of skin cancer. This was partly due to allergy problems I experienced with my own skin last summer (reported here and here). At about the same time my father needed to have an operation for a Basel Cell Carcinoma on his nose. As a result of these events I found myself paying much more attention to that part of the body that most of us take for granted – our skin.

As I approach 60 years of age I am also becoming aware of how my skin changes with age. These changes are especially apparent where the skin is directly exposed to the elements – mainly the sun – like the hands and face. It is interesting to note how those areas that are less exposed to the sun have aged very little (perhaps a skin transplant from my bottom to my face could rejuvenate my youthful looks?). To highlight the impact of sunlight on ageing I have included a photo below from a 2012 article in the New England Journal of Medicine. It is of a man who had been driving trucks for 28 years and illustrates the damage to the side of his face caused by the lower levels of UV protection from his vehicle side window.

Actually if you cover up the damaged part of his face it is interesting to observe how young the rest of the skin of this 68 year old man appears. This no doubt reflects the very high levels of UV protection the rest of his face received from the laminated front windscreen of his vehicle. One of the characteristics of the laminated glass used for vehicle windscreens is that it acts as a very good screen against UV light. Sadly this does not appear to be the case for the side windows on the left side window of his truck – presumably a different kind of glass was used.

This differential exposure to the damage cause by sunlight does not just lead to accelerated skin ageing – it can also lead to an increased incidence of skin cancer and other illnesses like cataracts of the eyes. There have been a number of studies in which a higher incidence of skin cancer and cataracts have been identified on the left side of people driving in countries where drivers sit on the left hand side of their vehicles. Interestingly studies in Australia where drivers sit on the right hand side (as in the UK and South Africa) have documented an increased incidence of sun related skin damage on the opposite side of the face.

The issue of road vehicle side window UV protection was addressed in an article published last week in the on-line scientific journal JAMA Ophthalmology. In this article Brian S. Boxer Wachler, MD, published the results of his investigations into levels of UV protection provided by windows of 29 vehicles from 15 car manufacturers. He used a UV-A measuring device to measure the amount of blockage of UV-A radiation by windshields and side windows of the vehicles tested.

Generally the level of protection provided by the windshield at the front of these vehicles was high with an average blockage of 96% (the range measured was from 95-98%). However the average UV-A blockage from the side windows was much lower at 71% with some vehicles measuring as low as 44%. The table of results from the article for each vehicle is included below (click on the table to enable enlargement of the text).

From the results of the research it is interesting to note that some of the most prestigious brands (2012 Porsche Turbo S, 2013 BMW 320i/328ia) had markedly lower protection from the side windows compared with the front windscreens (40 and 42% lower respectively). Other prestige makes gave much better protection from the side – like the Lexus models: Rx350 (2011), Rx450H (2013) and RX350 (2011) – which gave side window UV protection reductions of only 0 – 4%. Some manufacturers showed year to year variation for example a Mercedes 5550 from 2013 gave 95% UV protection from its side windows whereas a Mercedes E550 from 2009 only provided 44% protection. Both cars provided 96% protection through their front windscreen.

Age of vehicle was not a good indicator of protection with a Buick Riviera from 1990 giving better side protection (65%) than a 2014 Audi A6 or Q5 (63 and 64% respectively). Just based on UV side protection the old Buick would be a better buy than the 2013 Porsche Turbo S (56% side protection).

As all the manufacturers shown in the table above were able to provide consistently good UV protection through their front windscreens the lack of consistent protection from the side was clearly not a technology issue. Presumably other issues like cost were taken into account by those manufacturers of vehicles with low levels of side protection. The lamination process used in the manufacture of windscreens (to make them break more safely upon impact) also helps to improve the level of UV protection provided.

Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the world – causing about 40% of cancer globally. At least 90% of skin cancer is due to exposure to UV radiation. Drivers and passengers often presume they do not need to wear sunblock inside their vehicles – an illusion that is made worse by the cool atmosphere provided by the use of air conditioning. Cataracts, which cause blindness, are found in about half the population of the USA by the age of 80. They can also be caused by exposure to UV light. Many parents provide their children with booster seats in their cars which raise the position of their face closer to the side windows. The above research indicates that for certain vehicles the closer your skin is to the side window the greater is the potential harm from UV radiation. Therefore appropriate protective measures should be taken (long sleeved clothing, hats and sun block when sitting inside a car).

Of the types of skin cancer the Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common and can usually be treated successfully without becoming malignant. The next most common form of skin cancer is the squamous cell carcinoma, this is more likely to become malignant than the Basel Cell type. The least common form but the one most likely to become malignant and cause death is the Malignant Melanoma. The best way to reduce the risk from all these and all other forms of skin cancer is to minimise your exposure to UV radiation from the sun. When you buy your next car it is worth checking out the UV specification for all the windows – in particular look for a significant difference in the UV protection levels between the windscreen (generally high) and the side windows (currently very variable). They should both be similar and provide high UV blockage.

By the way don’t presume that if your car has tinted side windows you are protected from UV radiation. Generally the tints reduce the transparency of the window to light in the visible part of the spectrum – therefore the tint may have limited, if any, impact on the level of harmful UV radiation that can pass through the glass.

Safe motoring!

Chris Duggleby

If you are interested in reading my other health focused articles try the following

Torture In The Shower – Face and Body Soap Allergies – Main Suspect: Pears Transparent Soap

Poison in your Washing Machine: Allergic Contact Dermatitis from Laundry Detergents, Softeners, Conditioners and Whiteners

Is Alzheimer’s caused by the Gum Disease Bacterium P. Gingivalis – A Dementia Prevention/Treatment Breakthrough?

Toxic Chemicals in Sex Toys – 18 Vibrators, Cock Rings, Love Balls Tested – Only 3 Get All Clear

My T-shirt Made Me Sick – Textile Allergies – Sinusitis From Your Underwear

Torture In The Shower – Face and Body Soap Allergies – Main Suspect: Pears Transparent Soap: Sometimes we start to become allergic or sensitive to items that we have been using for many years. Although age is a factor in allergies sometimes the cause is much more basic – the manufacturers have decided to change the formula of a trusted old brand. They may be driven by cost or a misplaced view of consumer wishes (like adding more perfume). I describe below how, after decades of use, I found myself itching uncontrollably after using Pears transparent soap. 

For some time now I have been meaning to share with you a skin sensitivity issue that I recently discovered. Unlike my earlier horrific allergy experience with washing machine additives (see link here) this latest unpleasantness appeared to come from a most unlikely source – Pears Transparent Soap.

Before I explain the details of what happened with my body and face soap let me provide you with an update on the washing machine additive saga. I have been amazed about the amount of interest this earlier article generated and would like to thank all of you who have shared your own skin allergy experiences with me. Clearly this is a very important area affecting vast numbers of people, some of whom having symptoms far worse than mine.

Rather than being negative I would like use my experience to provide some hope to fellow sufferers. If you can identify the cause of your allergy and eradicate it from your environment it may be possible to return to normality. The way I did this is described in my earlier article and in the illustration below.

To share my turnaround with you I took some photos this week of my skin 6 months after the ‘eradication’ of the source of the problem. Below are pictures of my chest and arm taken at the height of my allergic skin reaction (‘before’) and shots of the same areas from last week (‘after’ source eradication). Source eradication involved throwing out the laundry additive (allergen) and multiple dustbin bags of potentially ‘contaminated’ clothes (article link here provides more details). Just click on my photos to see high definition copies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you will see from the photos it is difficult to imagine these are taken of the same person separated only by a few months. If you have any doubts that they are from the same body please note the small ‘beauty spot’ (OK a slight exaggeration!) just below my nipple on the before and after chest pics above.

 

 

Having eradicated this major irritant from my life (or to be more precise from my washing machine) I became aware of another issue. For most of my life I have preferred to use Pears Hypo-allergenic Transparent Soap. This was not always possible because I spent much of my career oversees – in fact while I was building my factory in Taiwan In used to return with suitcases full of the soap whenever I visited the UK.

Following my incident with the washing machine additive I cleared my home of any washing or hygiene products incorporating man made chemicals or suspect items like enzymes. I presumed that my old friend ‘Pears’ could be left off this black list. However I recently became aware that I was itching under my armpits, around my genitals and bottom. Thinking that it might be due to some remaining contamination from the washing machine saga I decided to thoroughly wash myself each day with my hypo-allergenic soap until the problem disappeared.

The problem actually did disappear at the start of one of my trips to Cape Town – but this was because at the start of my trip I used up the remains of some shower gel from a previous trip (‘waste not want not’ – yes I am from Yorkshire!). Once this old stock ran out I was pleased to discover that the local supermarket stocked Pears soap. I purchased a bar and used it when scrubbing any smelly bits after my daily exercise sessions. Within a day the itching reappeared. I quickly stopped using the soap and a couple of days later the itching disappeared again. My old ‘friend’ Pears Transparent Soap appeared to be the source of my skin irritation.

To be really sure I tried out Pears soap again once I returned to the UK (thinking that perhaps the formulation or even the water in Cape Town may have been different). Sadly the irritation appeared again but quickly stopped after I banished the soap from the shower. Unlike the problems with my washing machine additives there was no obvious skin rash or blistering with Pears. The most overt sign of my problem was an irresistible urge to scratch the affected parts – and being a gentleman it is not in my nature to go around scratching my scrotum in public. The lack of any obvious visual symptoms means that you will be spared the usual gruesome pics of my affected body parts.

Having identified the source of my irritation I decided to do some more research into allergy issues associated with Pears Transparent Soap. It would appear that the formulation of the soap has changed a couple of times in recent years and what I had believed was a very natural hypo-allergenic product now had a list of additives that included a rather long list of detergents, stabilisers, preservatives, emulsifiers, colouring agents and several new fragrance agents. Perhaps not surprisingly the packaging for this 200 year old brand no longer contained the words hypo-allergenic (for more details try the Wiki article on Pears here).

Further research uncovered that other consumers were also very unhappy with the reformulation, complaining about the change in the product’s smell and the new ingredients. Some fans of the original Pears formulation even went to the trouble of searching out any sources of ‘old’ stock to avoid having to use the new product (see a 2011 Guardian newspaper article here). Another article summarising the changes made to the product can be found here. One of the noticable changes with the new product is that is dissolves much more readily – if you do not use it quickly it disappears in the shower on its own in about a fortnight.

So my strategy of banishing man-made chemicals and enzymes from washing and hygiene products has now also been extended to include Pears transparent soap. I guess the message here is not to be fooled into thinking that the same brand means the same formula. The Pears brand dates back to 1798. In future I will always be more vigilant about checking the ingredient lists of products I commonly use. Fortunately since I stopped using Pears the last of my itches has disappeared. Now I just wash myself and my clothes with water – and believe it or not I don’t smell to high heaven (OK I do wash frequently and always after sport). If it was good enough for cave men then it is good enough for me!

Good luck to all those fellow scratchers out there!

Chris Duggleby.

If you found this article interesting please consider taking a look at some of my other reports on similar subjects.

Just click on the titles below:

Poison in your Washing Machine: Allergic Contact Dermatitis from Laundry Detergents, Softeners, Conditioners and Whiteners

Is Alzheimer’s caused by the Gum Disease Bacterium P. Gingivalis – A Dementia Prevention/Treatment Breakthrough?

Toxic Chemicals in Sex Toys – 18 Vibrators, Cock Rings, Love Balls Tested – Only 3 Get All Clear

My T-shirt Made Me Sick – Textile Allergies – Sinusitis From Your Underwear

Spreading diarrhea and vomit through the washing machine– The Norovirus propagator in our kitchen

Joggers – How To Stop Dogs Chasing You – Research Into New Pet Friendly Technology: Another breathtaking development from the world of science and technology. This article reviews a new but simple solution for discouraging our canine friends from taking chase when they see a pair of juicy legs running through the park or along the beach. The procedure uses easy to find products and is totally harmless to the pets – read on!

I am one of those people who prefer to get their exercise very early in the morning. As a result it is not unusual to see me at the crack of dawn here in Llandudno (near Cape Town) taking my legs out for a session down on the local beaches.

One of the advantages of taking exercise so early is that there are very few other people around so if you are in a nice location you can enjoy the scenery (and I am fortunate because the scenery here is quite stunning). One of the disadvantages of exercising at this time is that people who struggle to control their canine pets also take then for walkies this early to minimise the number of opportunities for conflict (and any associated third party liability claims).

This means that early morning joggers tend to come into contact with doggies that like to have a bit of fun. If you are a doggy and you see a nice pair of legs sauntering along the beach this is like an invitation to play and jump – to a dog this person is simply throwing their legs for you to catch. Fast moving joggers legs can be a bit of a challenge to ‘fetch’ but with a nice set of claws and a well coordinated jaw Rex can catch these ‘sticks’ and join in the fun. This game is even better when multiple dogs are involved – something I am sure can be confirmed by the many dog walkers that have sprung up around Cape Town. Hunting in packs is fun!

Every now and again I am a bit of a wimp. I overreact to the scratches – thoughts flash through my mind like ‘when did I last have my jabs refreshed?‘. OK to be absolutely realistic – very few of the dogs that I come across here in Africa have rabies or some of the other nasty diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Actually I am just selfish – being rather vein I am more concerned that the scars may mark my otherwise unblemished suntan. Or perhaps it is the pulled threads and tears in my designer Lycra sports gear that may look unsightly (OK I admit I am lying here! – Most of my togs are from Asia via E-bay!…and let’s admit it – real men do look better with ragged sports shorts).

So I have been carrying out some research into pet friendly approaches to discouraging my canine mates from liking me quite so much. This is another of those articles in which I am the ‘guinea pig‘ (not unlike the one with graphic pics of my rashes caused by washing additives – link here). The first thing I have discovered in this Doggy research project is that you must be careful about the colour of your shorts. Put simply – white shorts to a dog look like a table cloth and to their mind anything edible on a table cloth is an irresistible temptation (especially if you’re one of those chaps who go out running without any underpants – ever seen a dog turn down a good sausage?)

Dogs are very sensitive creatures and their fine sense of smell informs them at a distance that “Chris is a big softy and fun to play with“. Therefore it is not surprising that they come running after me – they just want a big cuddle and a friendly scratch. Of course when they cuddle with one another – dogs like to have a good bite – it is their way of kissing. However dogs are also very territorial – I am sure you will have noticed how dogs go around weeing all over the place – it is their way of telling other dogs “This is my patch so watch out!“

This encouraged my scientific mind to design a way of using this territorial ‘marking’ system to make my legs slightly less attractive to the canine appetite. Basically my solution was simple – if you rub dog’s urine into your legs this creates a clear sign to other dogs that these legs belong to another woofy’s ‘territory’ (Ever seen a dog biting a tree that another dog has urinated on?).

So now to prevent myself from being quite so attractive to dogs I rinse my legs in dog urine prior to going out on my early morning runs. And guess what? – Very few dogs now come running after me – in fact they appear to have started to run away. What’s more I am sure the dog urine is helping to heal my earlier scratch wounds (because of its origins in the bladder urine is normally sterile – as long as there is no urinary tract infection on the way to the doggy’s willy). It also appears to have a protective effect against the sun (I can’t use suntan lotion on my legs when jogging – it would counteract the discouraging benefit of the urine).

So success at least! I have even trained next door’s dog Sid to do his ‘biz’ on my legs before I go on a run. This requires a bit of planning – first of all he gets a rather salty bit of sausage followed by a huge bowl of water. Then after about 40 minutes he is ready to cock his leg in my direction as I exit from the building. I think he quite likes the idea of marking me up as his ‘territory’.

Now I can run in perfect solitude – nothing comes within a 10 yard radius. In fact even some of the other joggers and early morning walkers in Llandudno appear to have started taking different routes to the ones I use. Side-effects? OK my love life appears to have suffered a bit of a setback!

In a couple of weeks time I will be back in the Alps and I will certainly be keen to try out my new pet friendly urotechnology to see if it also works on the German dogs.

If you are looking for the latest developments in science and technology please visit ChrisDuggleby.com again. Keep fit and be nice to animals!

Chris Duggleby

As with all sporting and pet related products always follow the supplier’s instructions before use. If in doubt seek medical or veterinary advice.

Chris Duggleby started his scientific career studying Bacteriology and Virology at the Manchester University Medical School. From there he went on to spend over 35 in the chemicals and oil industries which included setting up a polymers research and development group in Geneva, Switzerland for a major international chemicals company. Following an MBA from Warwick University he went on to lead a number of international manufacturing and marketing operations in the Chemicals, Plastics and Oil industries. This included being the founding President of Formosa BP Chemicals Corporation in Asia. His work involved living and working in Europe, Asia, the USA, the Middle East, and Russia. More recently he was invited to take on a senior leadership position in the Audit Department of the BP International Oil Group. Here he used his global change and risk management experience to help the group reshape its management structures and processes following a major environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. He has now retired to focus on writing about risk management and producing music in his studios near London, in the Alps and Cape Town. If you are interested in risk management check out his RiskTuition.com or BizChangers.com (management of change) sites. He has also recently launched the JointVentureRisk.com site.

If you found this article interesting please consider taking a look at some of his other recent reports on similar subjects.

Just click on the titles below:

…starting with some fun related articles:

9th March 2016: Penis Ring Emergency – German Fire Fighters Rescue Man From Painful 13 Cock Ring Torture: Vorsprung durch Technik and erectile dysfunction

4th March 2016: Dachau Industry Park Evolves From Concentration Camp To Nudist Wellness Club (Brothel)

21st June 2015: Bio-undies: Guilt free Passion with ‘Easy Emma’ and ‘Loose Harry’and Getting Rid of Garden Snails with Rent-a-Duck

4th March 2015: Hamburg Reeperbahn (St. Pauli): Germans install walls that urinate on passers-by

17th April 2014: Niche On-line Dating Services (Specialities: Herpes, Thrush and Genital Warts)

18th March 2014: Germany and Finland Joint Investigation: New Case of Sexual Cannibalism Including Self-mutilation (Castration) During Intercourse.

18th August 2012: How Bavarians and Austrians use their middle finger – Fingerhakeln: a men-only sport (did Arnold Schwarzenegger start training this way?).

You can also find some of my more humorous reports in the Alpine Press section of this site using the link here.

more serious stuff:

14th March 2016 Eliminating Noisy Commuter Calls – Cheap Cell Phone Jammers – Hidden Costs:

13th March 2016 Bugs Evolve That Can Eat PET Plastics Used In Bottles And Textiles

3rd March 2016 Using Gene Drives To Change Mosquito Sex In Fight Against Zika, Dengue and Malaria

1st March 2016 Ladies – upto half a satisfying sexual event per month but risk of side effects from “Pink Viagra” Flibanserin (“Addyi”)

14th Feb 2016 Breast Cancer – How Blind People Use Their Enhanced Tactile Sensitivity to Save the Lives Of Women With Tumours

3rd Feb 2016 Zika Infection Spread By Sex In Dallas – Earlier Sexual Transmission In Colorado – Detailed Symptoms 

1st Feb 2016 Sexual Competition Between Women – Ovulation Can Be Seen In The Face

31st Jan 2016  Bed Bugs – Insecticide Resistance – Arbovirus Transmission – Zika and Microcephy

19th Jan 2016 ZIKA Virus Epidemic  – Health Warning – Pregnant women should postpone travel to affected areas – Including Brazil 

17th Jan 2016 Bubonic Plague Special – Lice – Hosts for The Black Death Bug

13th Jan 2016 Kill Head Lice In A Day With The Newly Developed Plasma Nitcomb From The German Fraunhofer Institute

8th Jan 2016 Cancer from Handbags, Shoes and Gloves – Allergic Reactions to Jewellery – German Institute Identifies Excessive Chromium 6 and Nickel Levels

26th July 2015 Poison in your Washing Machine: Allergic Contact Dermatitis from Laundry Detergents, Softeners, Conditioners and Whiteners

17th October 2015: Health Risk: Vitamin and antioxidant supplements help cancer cells become malignant – latest research from Texas

31st May 2015: German Concern about Potentially Carcinogenic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Cosmetics  

29th December 2012: Spreading diarrhea and vomit through the washing machine– The Norovirus propagator in our kitchen

Now prepare yourself for an uplifting experience! 

Eliminating Noisy Commuter Calls – Cheap Cell Phone Jammers – Hidden Costs: In the last week a Chicago vigilante has appeared in court charged with using an illegal cell phone blocking device on the public transportation system. Details (including how expensive these activities can get) below.

We have all had the experience of using public transportation and being subjected to a fellow passenger’s noisy cell phone conversation. For those of us who like to enjoy a good book or newspaper in silence it can be very distracting to hear a debate about ‘whether lasagne or coq au vin would be better for tea?’, or ‘how the treatment aunt Mildred’s bunions is progressing’, or graphic descriptions of Veronica next door’s promiscuous life style and ‘whether that cold sore on her mouth really did come from Herpes Henry at the liquor store’.

While you read the following article why not listen to my e-baroque compositions – just click on the box below:

or if techno music is more your cup of tea here are my techno/ambient compositions:

I hope you find the article below interesting…please visit chrisduggleby.com again.

Over 30 years ago I remember how using a mobile phone for business was a far more civilised affair. I was one of the first people in BP to hire an international ‘mobile’ comms device for my negotiations with Istanbul while I was travelling through Belgium. I picked up the device with my hire car at Brussels airport. It came in a huge suitcase and when I needed to use it I had to stop the car, fix an enormous antenna onto the roof and then dial up my customer using a contraption that was the size of a building brick. Needless to say I didn’t bother any other commuters with my calls in those days (and I did get the deal!)…..I kept the phone book in my Sinclair ZX Spectrum!

As mobile devices for inflicting pain on fellow commuters have grown smaller and become more ubiquitous (a bit like Henry’s herpes) travellers have adopted desperate measures in their search for peace. One such traveller was a 53 year old Chicago commuter who regularly used the local CTA Red Line train to get to work. From pictures I have found of this gentleman on the internet I understand he had been utilising his anti-cellphone technology for some time.

In the earlier photos he was clearly brandishing what looked like a large old (‘retro‘) mobile communication device but with a notable distinguishing feature – it had 5 antennae. This vigilante of the ‘peace’ was brandishing a cell phone jamming device which effectively prevented anyone from using their cellphone within a certain radius of where he was sitting.

The transport authorities and the police managed to track down this jammer by using their own hi-tech equipment and monitoring him while he was operating his device on the train. As a result the commuter ended up before a Chicago judge last Wednesday charged with one felony count of unlawful interference with a public utility for his alleged actions between the Loyola and Granville stops (on the public transport system). The 63 year old was held in lieu of $10,000 bail.

In the USA, as in many other countries, interference with the operation of the public communications network is illegal. According to the Federal Communications Commission enforcement bureau the unlawful use of a jammer is a criminal offense and can result in various sanctions, including a jail sentence. More specifically, the unlawful marketing, sale, or operation of cell phone, GPS, or other signal jammers in the U.S. can result in:

• significant fines (they call them “monetary forfeitures”) – up to $16,000 for each violation or each day of a continuing violation, and as high as $112,500 for any single act;
• government seizure of the illegal equipment; and
• criminal penalties including imprisonment.

The Federal Communications Commission has produced a very comprehensive set of frequently asked questions and for the convenience of visitors to ChrisDuggleby.com I have made a PDF copy available (Federal Communications Q and A sheet on Cellphone Jamming).

It is not only the USA where cellphone jamming is illegal. In the UK usage of jammers is illegal with the exception of their official use in prisons (since 2012). In Germany the use is also illegal with potential fines of upto €500,000 (info from the Bundesnetzagentur). Once again jamming is possible by the German prisons’ authorities to prevent prisoners using forbidden mobile devices. You can not order these jammers over the internet in Germany – their import is forbidden.

The reason for the illegality of such devices is because, in addition to blocking irritating commuters, they can also disrupt emergency calls.

So, in conclusion if you are situated near to someone who insists on sharing the details of their call with you the only simple course of action is to politely request that they speak more quietly (and remember this when you next use your own cellphone in a public place!).

Chris Duggleby

Chris Duggleby started his scientific career studying Bacteriology and Virology at the Manchester University Medical School. From there he went on to spend over 35 in the chemicals and oil industries which included setting up a polymers research and development group in Geneva, Switzerland for a major international chemicals company. Following an MBA from Warwick University he went on to lead a number of international manufacturing and marketing operations in the Chemicals, Plastics and Oil industries. This included being the founding President of Formosa BP Chemicals Corporation in Asia. His work involved living and working in Europe, Asia, the USA, the Middle East, and Russia. More recently he was invited to take on a senior leadership position in the Audit Department of the BP International Oil Group. Here he used his global change and risk management experience to help the group reshape its management structures and processes following a major environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. He has now retired to focus on writing about risk management and producing music in his studios near London, in the Alps and Cape Town. If you are interested in risk management check out his RiskTuition.com or BizChangers.com (management of change) sites. He has also recently launched the JointVentureRisk.com site.

If you found this article interesting please consider taking a look at some of his other recent reports on similar subjects.

Just click on the titles below:

…starting with some more serious stuff

13th March 2016 Bugs Evolve That Can Eat PET Plastics Used In Bottles And Textiles

3rd March 2016 Using Gene Drives To Change Mosquito Sex In Fight Against Zika, Dengue and Malaria

1st March 2016 Ladies – upto half a satisfying sexual event per month but risk of side effects from “Pink Viagra” Flibanserin (“Addyi”)

14th Feb 2016 Breast Cancer – How Blind People Use Their Enhanced Tactile Sensitivity to Save the Lives Of Women With Tumours

3rd Feb 2016 Zika Infection Spread By Sex In Dallas – Earlier Sexual Transmission In Colorado – Detailed Symptoms 

1st Feb 2016 Sexual Competition Between Women – Ovulation Can Be Seen In The Face

31st Jan 2016  Bed Bugs – Insecticide Resistance – Arbovirus Transmission – Zika and Microcephy

19th Jan 2016 ZIKA Virus Epidemic  – Health Warning – Pregnant women should postpone travel to affected areas – Including Brazil 

17th Jan 2016 Bubonic Plague Special – Lice – Hosts for The Black Death Bug

13th Jan 2016 Kill Head Lice In A Day With The Newly Developed Plasma Nitcomb From The German Fraunhofer Institute

8th Jan 2016 Cancer from Handbags, Shoes and Gloves – Allergic Reactions to Jewellery – German Institute Identifies Excessive Chromium 6 and Nickel Levels

26th July 2015 Poison in your Washing Machine: Allergic Contact Dermatitis from Laundry Detergents, Softeners, Conditioners and Whiteners

17th October 2015: Health Risk: Vitamin and antioxidant supplements help cancer cells become malignant – latest research from Texas

31st May 2015: German Concern about Potentially Carcinogenic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Cosmetics  

29th December 2012: Spreading diarrhea and vomit through the washing machine– The Norovirus propagator in our kitchen

and here are some fun reports…

9th March 2016: Penis Ring Emergency – German Fire Fighters Rescue Man From Painful 13 Cock Ring Torture: Vorsprung durch Technik and erectile dysfunction

4th March 2016: Dachau Industry Park Evolves From Concentration Camp To Nudist Wellness Club (Brothel)

21st June 2015: Bio-undies: Guilt free Passion with ‘Easy Emma’ and ‘Loose Harry’and Getting Rid of Garden Snails with Rent-a-Duck

4th March 2015: Hamburg Reeperbahn (St. Pauli): Germans install walls that urinate on passers-by

17th April 2014: Niche On-line Dating Services (Specialities: Herpes, Thrush and Genital Warts)

18th March 2014: Germany and Finland Joint Investigation: New Case of Sexual Cannibalism Including Self-mutilation (Castration) During Intercourse.

18th August 2012: How Bavarians and Austrians use their middle finger – Fingerhakeln: a men-only sport (did Arnold Schwarzenegger start training this way?).

You can also find some of my more humorous reports in the Alpine Press section of this site using the link here.

Now prepare yourself for an uplifting experience! 

Bugs Evolve That Can Eat PET Plastics Used In Bottles And Textiles: One of the modern environmental scourges created by people, namely the non-biodegradable plastic PET bottle, can now be eaten by bacteria. We only created this synthetic molecule 70 years ago – we still can’t efficiently recycle it – but the bacterium Ideonella sakaiensis can! Don’t underestimate the power of microbes.

Those of us who have worked with microbes are well aware of their powerful potential to adapt to new environments. Nearly 40 years ago I carried out research on Enterococcus in the Bacteriology Department at Manchester University Medical school. My dissertation? Well these little organisms that live in the human gut were able to transmit little pieces of genetic information between one another during sex (or ‘conjugation’ as bacteria prefer to call it). This genetic information (small circular pieces of DNA called plasmids) contained the genes for multiple antibiotic resistance.

While you read the following article why not listen to my e-baroque compositions – just click on the box below:

or if techno music is more your cup of tea here are my techno/ambient compositions:

I hope you find the article below interesting…please visit chrisduggleby.com again.

When humans have sex they sometimes share sexually transmitted diseases with one another. When bacteria have sex they can pass on things that are much more useful – like immunity to the powerful antibiotics we use to try and kill them. These are the same antibiotics we feed in abundance to our cows, sheep, pigs and chickens – and guess where the plasmids with antibiotic resistance probably originated? Considering their intelligent application of sex it is hardly surprising that there are a lot more bacteria in the world than people (in fact 90% of the cells in our ‘own’ bodies are microbes!).

Due to my familiarity with bacterial ingenuity I was not surprised when on March 11th 2016 researchers in Japan announced that they had isolated a strain of bacteria that eats PET plastic. They named this PET eater Ideonella sakaiensis. It was discovered by Shosuke Yoshida and co-workers at the Kyoto Institute of Technology using samples taken from the soil and waste water around Japanese plastics recycling plants.

I remember from my own time living in Japan (30 years ago) that this nation was one of the first to seriously embrace plastics recycling so presumably the local bugs have had a bit longer to evolve the necessary enzymes. However, in evolutionary terms, this is an incredibly short period of time to develop new protein based enzyme systems. In this case the enzymes can break down a man made plastic that did not exist over 70 years ago.

The newly discovered bacteria has evolved two enzymes which systematically break down the synthetic polymer that PET is made up of. You can think of this polymer as a microscopic chain of tough beads which are connected by an almost unbreakable thread. Well the bacteria is able to break down this thread separating the polymer into the individual beads (known as monomers). It then breaks down these monomers into two smaller chemical components (ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid) which it can digest using in normal biological processes to derive food and energy.

This development opens up a couple of interesting possibilities. On the one hand the bug Ideonella sakaiensis could be used itself to break down PET based plastics. There is however one snag – at 30C it takes about 6 weeks to totally break down a piece of plastic the size of a finger nail. The second possibility involves genetic engineering techniques. The genes which contain the genetic information to produce the two new proteins could be isolated from this bacteria and then inserted into another faster growing bacteria like E.coli.

This idea of inserting a ‘foreign’ gene into a different bacteria is hardly new. It is not that dissimilar to the approach I used many years ago when transferring my plasmids for antibiotic resistance. However today it is possible to use special gene ‘cut and paste‘ enzymes to specifically place a new gene into a bacteria’s chromosome (typical enzymes used are called ‘restriction endonucleases‘). Rather than my primitive system requiring bacterial sex the modern approach uses different carrier (vector) systems to get the genes (DNA) into the microbes. For example they can use viruses (bacteriophages) that infect bacteria by injecting their DNA into them. Molecular geneticists add the foreign gene to the viruses own DNA so they are injected into the bacteria together.

The scientific community is quite excited by the prospects of harnessing microbial ingenuity to help us clear some of the rubbish that we ourselves have created through overuse of plastics. However I think one point has been overlooked by those trying to make use of this rapid evolutionary development. One of the reasons we started using plastics in place of materials like wood, cardboard and paper was their inertness. With plastic bottles and films people did not have to think about the shelf life of the packaging because usually the contents go off much quicker.

However in a world in which bugs can now break down our plastics products it may not be long before people start to discover their packaging is not as inert as they thought. Although Ideonella sakaiensis can take about 6 weeks to break down a small piece of plastic this is just the beginning. As a result of evolutionary ‘survival of the fittest‘ – more efficient plastic eating bacteria will quickly evolve. Soon those PET water bottles on the shelf could start leaking after just a few weeks. Through our thoughtless overuse of plastics (as with antibiotics) we have potentially destroyed the usefulness of what was an incredibly useful and hygienic packaging material. Watch this space!

Chris Duggleby

The original paper about the discovery of this microbe “A bacterium that degrades and assimilates poly(ethylene terephthalate)” published in Science on March 11th 2016 by Shosuke Yoshida et al can be found using the link here.

Chris Duggleby started his scientific career studying Bacteriology and Virology at the Manchester University Medical School. From there he went on to spend over 35 in the chemicals and oil industries which included setting up a polymers research and development group in Geneva, Switzerland for a major international chemicals company. Following an MBA from Warwick University he went on to lead a number of international manufacturing and marketing operations in the Chemicals, Plastics and Oil industries. This included being the founding President of Formosa BP Chemicals Corporation in Asia. His work involved living and working in Europe, Asia, the USA, the Middle East, and Russia. More recently he was invited to take on a senior leadership position in the Audit Department of the BP International Oil Group. Here he used his global change and risk management experience to help the group reshape its management structures and processes following a major environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. He has now retired to focus on writing about risk management and producing music in his studios near London, in the Alps and Cape Town. If you are interested in risk management check out his RiskTuition.com or BizChangers.com (management of change) sites. He has also recently launched the JointVentureRisk.com site.

If you found this article interesting please consider taking a look at some of his other recent reports on similar subjects.

Just click on the titles below:

…starting with some more serious stuff…

3rd March 2016 Using Gene Drives To Change Mosquito Sex In Fight Against Zika, Dengue and Malaria

1st March 2016 Ladies – upto half a satisfying sexual event per month but risk of side effects from “Pink Viagra” Flibanserin (“Addyi”)

14th Feb 2016 Breast Cancer – How Blind People Use Their Enhanced Tactile Sensitivity to Save the Lives Of Women With Tumours

3rd Feb 2016 Zika Infection Spread By Sex In Dallas – Earlier Sexual Transmission In Colorado – Detailed Symptoms 

1st Feb 2016 Sexual Competition Between Women – Ovulation Can Be Seen In The Face

31st Jan 2016  Bed Bugs – Insecticide Resistance – Arbovirus Transmission – Zika and Microcephy

19th Jan 2016 ZIKA Virus Epidemic  – Health Warning – Pregnant women should postpone travel to affected areas – Including Brazil 

17th Jan 2016 Bubonic Plague Special – Lice – Hosts for The Black Death Bug

13th Jan 2016 Kill Head Lice In A Day With The Newly Developed Plasma Nitcomb From The German Fraunhofer Institute

8th Jan 2016 Cancer from Handbags, Shoes and Gloves – Allergic Reactions to Jewellery – German Institute Identifies Excessive Chromium 6 and Nickel Levels

26th July 2015 Poison in your Washing Machine: Allergic Contact Dermatitis from Laundry Detergents, Softeners, Conditioners and Whiteners

17th October 2015: Health Risk: Vitamin and antioxidant supplements help cancer cells become malignant – latest research from Texas

31st May 2015: German Concern about Potentially Carcinogenic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Cosmetics  

29th December 2012: Spreading diarrhea and vomit through the washing machine– The Norovirus propagator in our kitchen

and here are some fun reports…

9th March 2016: Penis Ring Emergency – German Fire Fighters Rescue Man From Painful 13 Cock Ring Torture: Vorsprung durch Technik and erectile dysfunction

4th March 2016: Dachau Industry Park Evolves From Concentration Camp To Nudist Wellness Club (Brothel)

21st June 2015: Bio-undies: Guilt free Passion with ‘Easy Emma’ and ‘Loose Harry’and Getting Rid of Garden Snails with Rent-a-Duck

4th March 2015: Hamburg Reeperbahn (St. Pauli): Germans install walls that urinate on passers-by

17th April 2014: Niche On-line Dating Services (Specialities: Herpes, Thrush and Genital Warts)

18th March 2014: Germany and Finland Joint Investigation: New Case of Sexual Cannibalism Including Self-mutilation (Castration) During Intercourse.

18th August 2012: How Bavarians and Austrians use their middle finger – Fingerhakeln: a men-only sport (did Arnold Schwarzenegger start training this way?).

You can also find some of my more humorous reports in the Alpine Press section of this site using the link here.

Now prepare yourself for an uplifting experience! 

Using Gene Drives To Change Mosquito Sex In Fight Against Zika, Dengue and Malaria – Molecular Biology is being used to perform genetic manipulation on the sex determining genes of disease carrying mosquitoes. This article explains how and why it is being done and also discusses some of the ethical implications for the human race and the future of life on this planet.

On Feb 17th 2016 researchers Zach Adelman and Zhijian Tu published their discovery of Nix, a sex gene in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. These are the mosquitoes that transmit virus diseases to humans like Zika, Dengue Fever, Yellow Fever and Chikungunya. Their findings may also be applicable to the Anopheles mosquito that transmits malaria – a disease which killed 438,000 people in 2015 with 214 million new cases reported – mainly in Africa (figures from the World Health Organisation’s 2015 Malaria report).

What is the Nix Sex Gene?

As demonstrated in the research paper by Messrs Adelman and Tu it is possible to perform gender conversion for the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Their work identified the Nix ‘sex gene’ which produces a protein very early in the development of the mosquito to programme its development as a male. The mosquito develops as a female if this gene is not sufficiently expressed (in other words the sex protein that it generates is either not produced or produced incorrectly). To demonstrate the existence and influence of Nix on mosquitoes the researchers used the latest highly specific gene manipulation technology called CRISPR-Cas9 (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats associated with the DNA cutting enzyme Cas9). This is a process that evolved in bacteria as an immune system to defend them against bacterial viruses – it can be used for very precise editing of chromosomes.

Using CRISPR-Cas9 to knock-out the Nix gene, genetically ‘male’ mosquitoes could be feminized and developed female genitals and antenna (which are not found on males). The converse occurred in genetically ‘female’ mosquitoes into which the Nix gene was ‘injected’ and made to produce it’s protein. These female mosquitoes developed both external and internal male genitalia (testes and associated male sex glands). Thus the Nix sex gene was used to successfully ‘gender reassign‘ these Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

Why is mosquito sex important when trying to combat killer diseases?

One of the most effective ways of combating killer diseases spread by mosquitoes is to reduce the population of the insects involved (e.g. Anopheles mosquitoes for malaria and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes for Dengue, Yellow Fever, and Zika). The use of insecticides is becoming less effective due to increasing mosquito resistance. Physical approaches like eliminating the sources of standing water that provide the mosquitoes with breeding grounds need to be very thorough and strictly implemented to have a significant effect.

It is the female mosquito that feeds on human blood and is therefore responsible for transmitting the diseases mentioned above. The male of the species does not feed on human blood, preferring to derive its nutrition from nectar. Because of this scientists are particularly interested to find ways of reducing the number of female rather than male mosquitoes.

Some authorities are experimenting with releasing sterile male mosquitoes into the wild. These compete against normal ‘wild’ male mosquitoes to mate with females. Since the female only copulates once in her lifetime the number of offspring can be reduced if sufficient sterile male mosquitoes are released. To make them sterile the male mosquitoes either have their genes modified by radiation or they may contain a ‘killer’ gene which prevents them from producing fertile offspring. Some problems with this approach are:

• Only males should be released (any females in the release batch would increase the number of disease carriers and therefore must be identified and destroyed)
• The sterile males have to be released in large enough numbers to have an impact when competing with the fertile males that already exist in the wild
• The release must be part of a continuous programme – any reduction in the numbers released would allow the remaining native fertile males to mate, multiply and produce more females.

  

The advantage of this sterile male approach over the use of chemical and biological insecticides (like bacteria that kill mosquitoes) is that it can get more effectively to areas with lower concentrations of mosquitoes – the released males are pretty keen on finding a partner to mate with – the fewer the number of ladies – the harder they look!

Gene manipulation approaches such as those based on the use of the Nix sex gene could be designed to address the issue of removing females from the release batch (all mosquitoes are ‘converted’ to males – thereby doubling the number of potential ‘male’ partners in the batch). The approach can be further developed to ensure that copulation with a released male will only produce more males (no female offspring). Alternatively it might be possible to ensure that any female offspring die (using a ‘lethal when female‘ gene combination). These developments involve what is termed a Gene Drive.

What is a Gene Drive?

The purpose of a Sex Gene Drive is to increase (‘drive-up’) the ratio of non-blood sucking males in the mosquito population. The term gene drive is used when a genetic attribute (like maleness) in a population is increased (or decreased) compared with the natural levels expected (e.g. for maleness the target is to have more then the usual 50% male offspring). A gene drive is inherited from generation to generation so for each mating cycle the relevant gene (e.g. Nix) continues to have its effect (increases the number of males) until eventually all offspring have the gene and there are no females left. If successful this mosquito species disappears.

The advantage of using gene drive approaches is that a smaller number of mosquitoes need to be released because the new attribute (e.g. to be male) is self sustaining and increases in the population from generation to generation. As well as trying to influence the proportion of males in the mosquito population (as with ‘driving up’ the Nix gene) other genes could be used in gene drives such as those which make the mosquitoes resistant to being infected by the specific parasite or virus that causes harm to humans (e.g. the malaria parasite or Zika virus). Researchers are also trying to develop gene drives which reduce the ability of female mosquitoes to have offspring.

A gene drive to create males of the Anopheles gambiae mosquito (which transmits malaria in Africa) is close to being field tested by Austin Burt and colleagues in Africa. These mosquitoes are like humans in that their sex is determined by the possession of X and Y chromosomes (XX = female, XY = male). Normally half the mosquito sperm would have a Y chromosome and half would contain an X. All the eggs produced by the female have a X chromosome so upon mating you would then have a population of half XX (female) and half XY (male). The altered mosquitoes with the gene drive only produce sperm containing a Y sex chromosome.

Using a meganuclease based gene drive system Burt and his team have produced Malaria transmitting mosquitoes in which all the males only produce sperm with an Y chromosome and any females mating with these mosquitoes will only produce males. This trait is then ‘driven’ into the next generation so that any wild females mating with these ‘altered’ male offspring also only produce males. Eventually this would destroy the population due to lack of any remaining females (this project is funded by the Gates Foundation).

Among the gene drives being developed using the CRISPR/Cas9 techology one also reduces female mosquito fertility and in another case the mosquito is given a gene to make it resistant to the parasite that causes malaria (protozoa belonging to the Plasmodium family). This is in addition to a potential drive incorporating the Nix male sex determining gene to drive an increase in populations of wild Aedes aegypti (Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya, Yellow Fever) and Anopheles gambiae (Malaria) mosquitoes.

Ethical Considerations

Gene manipulation of species released into the wild is a very controversial subject. The debate about genetically modified crops has received considerable press and political attention. Crops can’t fly on their own! The idea of releasing genetically modified mosquitoes into the wild will certainly need to be thoroughly researched and given very careful consideration. The scientific community is clearly not ready for such a step today but it will be within the next 5-10 years. The speed of developing and testing gene drives is dependant on the life cycle of the species involved – the mosquito life cycle is very short so a system can be tested in a couple of years (a human gene drive would require decades or centuries to fully field test because we are much older before we reproduce).

One of the particularly worrying things about using gene drive technology is that it does not just change the current generation but the technology alters all the offspring for generations to come. Once released into the wild it will be impossible to stop working in the offspring that inherit the new genes. We would be altering the make up of the natural gene pool over time. Some processes are being designed which could neutralise the impact for example by using another gene drive to ‘re-inject’ and drive back up the levels of a ‘corrected’ gene in the population. However, these systems would not remove any of the changes to organisms in the wild that have already been created by an earlier ‘rogue’ gene drive. The neutralizing systems would be aimed at diluting the impact of these changes on the ecosystem by adding large numbers of ‘corrected’ organisms.

Those in favour of using such new technologies will want to take advantage of their potential to save lives (like the nearly half a million lives lost to malaria each year – mainly young children). Human activities have helped these mosquitoes to enter into new regions of the World and some will argue that eliminating the insects from these new areas will simply be reinstating the natural state. One of the reason Zika has been so successful in spreading throughout the American continent is that it is a new disease here and the local population has not previously been exposed to the virus. There is therefore no natural immunity (much like the small pox, influenza and measles that Europeans introduced into the Americas, Australia and Africa killing huge numbers of the indigenous populations on those continents).

Fortunately the responsible members of the scientific community are very wary of proceding with field trials of these new techniques until the ethical and regulatory issues have been thoroughly discussed and a consensus with both authorities and the general public is reached on the most appropriate way forward. However these tools are so powerful that it may only take an accidental release of an ‘engineered’ organism into the wild to have a potentially devastating impact on the genetic composition of the native species.

Of particular concern is the potential use of this technology by a rogue state or terrorist organisation for the purposes of biological warfare or to simply terrorise those of opposing beliefs. One of the characteristics of the CRISPR/Cas9 system is that is is relatively easy to design and use compared with previous genetic engineering systems. Laboratories with basic skills in modern molecular biology and genetic engineering could (and are) developing these organisms.

My personal fear is that we could be releasing into nature a powerful self replicating system – if we can add passenger genes to gene drive systems surely it is conceivable that other genes could try and hitch a lift. For example cancer genes – those involved with cancer biology will be well aware of how some viruses have managed to insert human type oncogenes (cancer causing genes) into their genome (For techies: I am thinking here of the postulation that a non-carcinogenic evolutionary predecessor of the Rous Sarcoma Virus incorporated the src oncogene into its genome – converting it into the cancer causing agent of today). It would be a cruel outcome if a genetic device that we introduce into nature to save millions of lives is able, through mutation or genetic recombination, to itself become a powerful pathogen. Clearly we need to ensure any safeguards are foolproof and novel systems are thoroughly tested.

We have reached a very serious junction in which humanity could either wisely develop systems to eradicate painful and deadly diseases or destroy the balanced ecosystem upon which we depend. Watch this space!

Chris Duggleby  

If you are interested in reading my other health focused articles try the following

Torture In The Shower – Face and Body Soap Allergies – Main Suspect: Pears Transparent Soap

Poison in your Washing Machine: Allergic Contact Dermatitis from Laundry Detergents, Softeners, Conditioners and Whiteners

Is Alzheimer’s caused by the Gum Disease Bacterium P. Gingivalis – A Dementia Prevention/Treatment Breakthrough?

Toxic Chemicals in Sex Toys – 18 Vibrators, Cock Rings, Love Balls Tested – Only 3 Get All Clear

My T-shirt Made Me Sick – Textile Allergies – Sinusitis From Your Underwear

Ladies – upto half a satisfying sexual event per month but risk of side effects from “Pink Viagra” Flibanserin (“Addyi”) Yesterday (29th February 2016) the JAMA Internal Medicine journal published the results of analysis of Flibanserin (sold as ‘Addyi‘ and sometimes referred to as the “Pink Viagra“) to treat Hypoactive Sexual Desire in Women. The improvement in Satisfying Sexual Events (SEEs) was quantified (see below) as was the nature and risks from side effects.

The developers of the “female libido pill” Flibanserin (marketed under the name Addyi) have clearly demonstrated commitment to their product having had it rejected twice by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Flibanserin started life as an antidepressant but following its failure in that application found a new lease of life as a potential treatment for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in pre-menopausal women. This is defined as a sexual dysfunction characterized as a lack or absence of sexual fantasies and a lack of desire for sexual activity (as judged by a medical professional).

While you read the following article why not listen to my e-baroque compositions – just click on the box below:

or if techno music is more your cup of tea here are my techno/ambient compositions:

I hope you find the article below interesting…please visit chrisduggleby.com again.

In the FDA’s first evaluation of this drug for improving sexual desire in women (2009) the clinical reviewers and an external advisory committee voted unanimously (11-0) against approving Flibanserin. They concluded that its uncertain benefit did not outweigh its harms. In 2013, after Sprout Pharmaceuticals had acquired the rights to the drug, it was resubmitted to the FDA with a new efficacy (ability to produce the desired effect) trial and interaction studies. For this submission the drug’s interaction with alcohol was tested – interestingly on men rather than the target population of pre-menopausal women. The combination of the two drugs led to an increase in hypo-tension (low blood pressure). Other tests, this time with women, in combination with certain medications (fluconazole, a CYP3A4 inhibitor used to treat candida in ‘Yeast infections‘) also led to hypo-tension. The FDA rejected flibanserin a second time concluding that the small treatment differences (sexual desire benefits) did not clearly outweigh safety concerns. An appeal by Sprout was unsuccessful.

Prior to its third submission to the FDA Sprout supported the launch of an advocacy group ‘Even The Score‘ which conducted an intense promotional campaign towards journalists, women’s groups, congress and the FDA. The advocacy group campaign emphasized that although there were several approved treatments for male sexual dysfunction, no such treatment for women was then available. From their website: “Even the Score: A campaign for women’s sexual health equity was created to serve as a voice for American women who believe that it’s time to level the playing field when it comes to the treatment of women’s sexual dysfunction” – link here.

The third submission to the FDA occurred in 2015 and although it did not include new information about the efficacy of the drug it did have some reassuring information about the potential of the drug to cause somnolence (sleepiness or drowsiness) when driving. Unfortunately other information submitted did heighten concerns relating to dangerous interactions with other drugs.

With regard to this submission there was some dissent within the FDA. Its own clinical reviewers still recommended rejection: “We do not believe that it is reasonable for the approximately 90% of treated patients who will not respond to the product to be exposed to the numerous serious risks posed by flibanserin therapy.” They were overruled by two FDA directors who, while acknowledging the limited efficacy and worrisome harms of the drug, emphasized that it met a need in women for whom other (sexual desire) treatments had failed. The drug was approved but the FDA required that it has a black box label, their most serious safety alert, reflecting problems associated with the drug. Clearly the advocacy group’s message had reached its target.

Upon getting FDA approval flibanserin was sold to Valeant Pharmaceuticals for around $1 billion.

The new report in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal involved a systematic review and meta analysis of 8 previous studies into the efficacy and safety of flibanserin for the treatment of Hypo Sexual Desire Disorder. Nearly 6000 women were involved. The treatment resulted on average in one half of a satisfying sexual experience per woman per month compared with placebos (non-effective pills without any active ingredient). Against this benefit a significant increased risk of dizziness, somnolence, nausea and fatigue was identified. The authors of the paper (Jaspers et al) concluded that the modest sexual desire benefits of the drug did not outweigh its harms. In addition to the negative effects mentioned above was the risk of hypo-tension and syncope (fainting/passing out caused by reduced flow of blood to the brain) when combining flibanserin with alcohol and some other common drugs.

The authors recommended more research including women from diverse populations e.g. those with co-morbidities (additional disorders or diseases), those using other medication and those having undergone surgical menopause. The original papers reporting this work can be found using the links here and here.

If in doubt always check with your medical doctor.

Chris Duggleby

Hypoactive Sexual Desire? Why not try my African Tribal Fertility Dance? According to the Pretty Spandex Boys it can improve the sexual desire of both genders:

 

Chris Duggleby started his scientific career studying Bacteriology, Virology and Immunology at the Manchester University Medical School. From there he went on to spend over 35 in the chemicals and oil industries which included setting up a polymers research and development group in Geneva, Switzerland for a major international chemicals company. Following an MBA from Warwick University he went on to lead a number of international manufacturing and marketing operations in the Chemicals, Plastics and Oil industries. This included being the founding President of Formosa BP Chemicals Corporation in Asia. His work involved living and working in Europe, Asia, the USA, the Middle East, and Russia. More recently he was invited to take on a senior leadership position in the Audit Department of the BP International Oil Group. Here he used his global change and risk management experience to help the group reshape its management structures and processes following a major environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. He has now retired to focus on writing about risk management and producing music in his studios near London, in the Alps and Cape Town. If you are interested in risk management check out his RiskTuition.com or BizChangers.com (management of change) sites. He has also recently launched the JointVentureRisk.com site.

If you found this article interesting please consider taking a look at some of his other recent reports on similar subjects.

Just click on the titles below:

…starting with some more serious stuff…

14th Feb 2016 Breast Cancer – How Blind People Use Their Enhanced Tactile Sensitivity to Save the Lives Of Women With Tumours

3rd Feb 2016 Zika Infection Spread By Sex In Dallas – Earlier Sexual Transmission In Colorado – Detailed Symptoms 

1st Feb 2016 Sexual Competition Between Women – Ovulation Can Be Seen In The Face

31st Jan 2016  Bed Bugs – Insecticide Resistance – Arbovirus Transmission – Zika and Microcephy

19th Jan 2016 ZIKA Virus Epidemic  – Health Warning – Pregnant women should postpone travel to affected areas – Including Brazil 

17th Jan 2016 Bubonic Plague Special – Lice – Hosts for The Black Death Bug

13th Jan 2016 Kill Head Lice In A Day With The Newly Developed Plasma Nitcomb From The German Fraunhofer Institute

8th Jan 2016 Cancer from Handbags, Shoes and Gloves – Allergic Reactions to Jewellery – German Institute Identifies Excessive Chromium 6 and Nickel Levels

26th July 2015 Poison in your Washing Machine: Allergic Contact Dermatitis from Laundry Detergents, Softeners, Conditioners and Whiteners

17th October 2015: Health Risk: Vitamin and antioxidant supplements help cancer cells become malignant – latest research from Texas

31st May 2015: German Concern about Potentially Carcinogenic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Cosmetics  

29th December 2012: Spreading diarrhea and vomit through the washing machine– The Norovirus propagator in our kitchen

and here are some fun reports…

21st June 2015: Bio-undies: Guilt free Passion with ‘Easy Emma’ and ‘Loose Harry’and Getting Rid of Garden Snails with Rent-a-Duck

4th March 2015: Hamburg Reeperbahn (St. Pauli): Germans install walls that urinate on passers-by

17th April 2014: Niche On-line Dating Services (Specialities: Herpes, Thrush and Genital Warts)

18th March 2014: Germany and Finland Joint Investigation: New Case of Sexual Cannibalism Including Self-mutilation (Castration) During Intercourse.

18th August 2012: How Bavarians and Austrians use their middle finger – Fingerhakeln: a men-only sport (did Arnold Schwarzenegger start training this way?).

You can also find some of my more humorous reports in the Alpine Press section of this site using the link here.

Now prepare yourself for an uplifting experience! 

Breast Cancer – How Blind People Use Their Enhanced Tactile Sensitivity to Save the Lives Of Women With Tumours: Each year in Germany doctors diagnose 70,000 cases of breast cancer and 17000 women die annually a result of this illness. If discovered early most cases of breast cancer are treatable. The following report describes how blind people are using their highly developed sense of touch to identify tissue changes and help accelerate the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

This week I would like to share with you another fascinating article that I discovered today in the German language press. If you are new to my Alpine Press site let me explain. One of my passions is to translate interesting news originating in the non English speaking press and share it with a wider international audience. Today I discovered a story about how blind people are turning their highly developed tactile senses to help save the lives of German women who have breast cancer.

While you read why not listen to my album ‘Electro Baroque‘ (all tracks are also available on iTunes using the link here)? Classical music using modern instruments:

or if you prefer to listen to my electro/techno album ‘Studio Valiumm‘ here are the videos (also on iTunes using the link here):

More info about my music is at the dedicated website www.TRANSFORMATES.com

About eight years ago the idea came to gynaecologist, Frank Hoffmann, in the German town of Duisberg, while he was taking his daily shower. In his work as a doctor he had a problem. The structure of the German health insurance system only allowed him three or four minutes to inspect the breasts of his female patients. However he was concerned that this limited amount of time was insufficient to comprehensively identify the lumps and nodules which are typical signs that a patient has breast cancer.

Hoffman’s idea was to try and harness the highly developed tactile senses of blind women to help in the identification of potentially carcinogenic growths in the breasts of female patients. With the help of a friend he was able to identify a number of local blind ladies who because of their visual impairment were unemployed and, not surprisingly, pretty depressed about their predicament.  He founded the organisation “Discovering Hands” with the aim of training blind women as Palpation (or Touch) Examiners (my translation from the German ‘Tastuntersucherinnin‘).

Local authorities, including the Body for Vocational Advancement (Berufsförderungswerk), the Ministry of Health and the Regional Medical Association, were fully supportive of Hoffman’s idea and official examination’s were put in place for the qualification of Palpation Examiner. This meant, for example, that blind students could formally learn about the relationship between the lymph nodes and the breasts, and understand what scirrhous carcinoma’s, fibroids and cysts are. They also learn important ‘professional’ skills required by medical carers such as managing their facial expressions in front of a patient when they discover what they believe to be a growth.

Dr Hoffman believes it is important for carers and patients to understand that the discovery of a potential growth in a breast should not be treated as a death sentence. The critical success factor when treating breast cancer is how early the discovery is made: “If a tumour is identified before it becomes malignant the chance of successful treatment is over 90%“. He has been amazed by the level of sensitivity and accuracy demonstrated by the blind Palpation Examiners – often they identify an ‘occurrence’ on a patient’s breast that he himself is unable to find. These occurrences are then usually proven to be correct with an ultra-scan examination.

Generally in a routine examination a doctor will be able to identify tumours that are greater than 1.5-2.0 cm in diameter. The blind Palpation Examiners can typically find lumps as small as 0.6-0.8 cm in diameter. This leads to a quicker confirmation of the presence of a tumour and therefore a greater chance for the patient to receive successful therapy. These visually impaired ladies are playing a key role in saving patient’s lives.

A typical Palpation Examination of the breast area by one of these qualified blind carers takes about 50 minutes. Before each session the examiner attaches patented orientation strips which have text written on them in Braille. These strips divide the breast into defined areas which help the blind palpation examiner to document the precise location of any tissue changes she identifies. This provides the doctor with a clear diagram illustrating the areas requiring more detailed medical investigation.

The palpation examiners are not allowed to provide a diagnosis. This can only be given by a qualified doctor. When asked – these examiners are clear they do not identify cancer or tumours in their patients they simply are looking for changes in the tissue composition. Such changes may be lumps or nodules. It is these changes which, following further professional medical investigation, may be confirmed to be cancerous. However their key role as part of the early warning system for this killer illness should not be underestimated. These ladies, themselves, have severe personal sensory impairments but these very impairments have allowed them to develop their other senses to such a degree that they are now able to give the gift of health and life to others.

Chris Duggleby

German visitors to ChrisDuggleby.com can find more details about this subject (in German) from an excellent article by Thorsten Schmitz in the Süddeutschezeitung using the link here.

Chris Duggleby started his scientific career studying Bacteriology, Virology and Immunology at the Manchester University Medical School. From there he went on to spend over 35 in the chemicals and oil industries which included setting up a polymers research and development group in Geneva, Switzerland for a major international chemicals company. Following an MBA from Warwick University he went on to lead a number of international manufacturing and marketing operations in the Chemicals, Plastics and Oil industries. This included being the founding President of Formosa BP Chemicals Corporation in Asia. His work involved living and working in Europe, Asia, the USA, the Middle East, and Russia. More recently he was invited to take on a senior leadership position in the Audit Department of the BP International Oil Group. Here he used his global change and risk management experience to help the group reshape its management structures and processes following a major environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. He has now retired to focus on writing about risk management and producing music in his studios near London, in the Alps and Cape Town. If you are interested in risk management check out his RiskTuition.com or BizChangers.com (management of change) sites. He has also recently launched the JointVentureRisk.com site.

If you found this article interesting please consider taking a look at some of his other recent reports on similar subjects.

Just click on the titles below:

…starting with some more serious stuff…

3rd Feb 2016 Zika Infection Spread By Sex In Dallas – Earlier Sexual Transmission In Colorado – Detailed Symptoms 

1st Feb 2016 Sexual Competition Between Women – Ovulation Can Be Seen In The Face

31st Jan 2016  Bed Bugs – Insecticide Resistance – Arbovirus Transmission – Zika and Microcephy

19th Jan 2016 ZIKA Virus Epidemic  – Health Warning – Pregnant women should postpone travel to affected areas – Including Brazil 

17th Jan 2016 Bubonic Plague Special – Lice – Hosts for The Black Death Bug

13th Jan 2016 Kill Head Lice In A Day With The Newly Developed Plasma Nitcomb From The German Fraunhofer Institute

8th Jan 2016 Cancer from Handbags, Shoes and Gloves – Allergic Reactions to Jewellery – German Institute Identifies Excessive Chromium 6 and Nickel Levels

26th July 2015 Poison in your Washing Machine: Allergic Contact Dermatitis from Laundry Detergents, Softeners, Conditioners and Whiteners

17th October 2015: Health Risk: Vitamin and antioxidant supplements help cancer cells become malignant – latest research from Texas

31st May 2015: German Concern about Potentially Carcinogenic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Cosmetics  

29th December 2012: Spreading diarrhea and vomit through the washing machine– The Norovirus propagator in our kitchen

and here are some fun reports…

21st June 2015: Bio-undies: Guilt free Passion with ‘Easy Emma’ and ‘Loose Harry’and Getting Rid of Garden Snails with Rent-a-Duck

4th March 2015: Hamburg Reeperbahn (St. Pauli): Germans install walls that urinate on passers-by

17th April 2014: Niche On-line Dating Services (Specialities: Herpes, Thrush and Genital Warts)

18th March 2014: Germany and Finland Joint Investigation: New Case of Sexual Cannibalism Including Self-mutilation (Castration) During Intercourse.

18th August 2012: How Bavarians and Austrians use their middle finger – Fingerhakeln: a men-only sport (did Arnold Schwarzenegger start training this way?).

You can also find some of my more humorous reports in the Alpine Press section of this site using the link here.

Now prepare yourself for an uplifting experience!