docSam.ca Blog

Canadian Nutritional guidelines-2018

After some 12 years the current Federal Health Minister  announced the new edition of the Canadian food guidelines. Gone are the 4 rainbows together with the details of the kind as well as the number of servings that we all should be taking each day. The other major change  was for the  protein food group where they  recommended a shift from  animal sources like  meat from cattle, chickens,  pigs, etc. to a plant source like lentils, nuts and beans. 

As a current gerontologist, and  a former geriatrician were a major portion of my practice were seniors, I was disappointed not to find in these new guidelines any mention of the role that  antioxidant food supplements and/or free radical scavengers play in reducing many of the symptoms of degenerative diseases especially those in our elderly population  The recent editorial comment in the Friday issue of the Winnipeg Free Press also has no mention of the role of anti-oxidants and/or free radical scavengers.  Some biologists consider that the study of  metabolism in human physiology  of the reactive oxygen toxic species -( which include the superoxide radical, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical and singlet oxygen-ROTS for short ) –  and are the main source of free radicals in our bodies  are important enough to have their status  elevated to be one of the disciplines in internal medicine calling it oxidology.

Semeon B.Hrushovetz, B.Sc(Hons),M.Sc.,Ph.D., M.D.,CCFP

Covid-19-What do we do if we don’t have a vaccine

What we do when we dont have a vaccine. As  mentioned in my introductory pages document the virologists basically have 2 obvious strategies available for prevention of infections and/or pandemics We can prevent the virus from entering the cell- for such  RNA  retrovirus its specifically from penetrating the cell wall of human  CT4 lymphocyte.

  1. ART medical treatment.  Virologists currently use this procedure to prevent the development of AIDS-Aquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome for HIV –

***************************************************************************************************PrHere are more details on these 2 methods which I mentioned in my introductory pages document.  

 in item 2 and 3.entitled event cell penetration

  • protein coat of virus
  • use of time lapse cine photomicrography Like the Sage time lapse unit which I have used

ART medical treatment still the only treatment available since we still don’t have a vaccine for HIV- The treatment reduces the level of the virus in the patient so  they no longer have AIDS- Aquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome  and/or   cannot transmit infection to partners.

* Note: I have already briefly mention these 2 procedures in my introduction**

One way  to study the process of penetration of the host cell by the virus is to use time lapse cine photo microscopy When I was invited by Dr. P. Thorlakson of the Winnipeg Clinic in 1965 to set up at their Clinic a private  research Laboratory  we purchased a Sage time lapse photo microscopic apparatus  to study the cell behaviour of human cells grown in tissue culture. I was familiar with blastogenesis- the process of cell division following the addition of phytoaggultin to the blood culture .-the  procedure that cytogeneticist use to perform chromosomal analysis.- indeed I was the first cell biologist in Winnipeg to establish a private cytogenetic lab in Western Canada- called Western Cytpoogenetic Laboratory. I also established and directed this service for the Winnipeg Clinic.   I wrote an article for the Manitoba Medical Review1968 entitled Lymphocyte Transformation Reaction which lists some of the clinical applications of blastogenesis.The technique I used to study this cellular behaviour was rather simple. Blood was drawn by venepucture into a heparized syringe, a portion. was centrifuged at slow speeds to separate the RBC from the serum. From the buffy coat present at the junction of the RBC  layer and the serum a portion of this was taken with a pipette and a drop of it was placed in special microscope cells which had a well ( hollowed out area ).Enough contents was placed to fill the well, than a coverslip was carefully added so no air was trapped. The slide was now ready for study. The Sage time lapse unit has a microscope clamped down to the desk surface.and the top, microscope with attached movie camera including the  plastic covering Holes in plastic covering are present to insert your arms when viewing and adjusting the mechanical stage which holds the microscope slide. A plastic cover for the microscope  has a small heater to kept everything at body temperature. 

Phase contrast  photomicroscopy was   used for most of the studies. Movies were  either B & W  and/or color 16 mm and most were time lapse- with photos snapped ever half minute. An adapter on the movie camera allowed to attach a 400 mm roll of film.

I should mention that after the Winnipeg Clinic laboratory dissolved in 1968 and the equipment was given to the anatomy department of the U of M  medical school. When I set up my own private research lab to study cellular aging in 1974called the Kildonan Institute of Gerontology, I was able to use it on loan for over 15 years. Indeed most of the 10,000 feet of movie film- mainly in color which I have in my archives were taken at the Kildonan Institute of Gerontology . 

In 1994 the Time lapse unit was returned to the university- actually it was transferred  (donated ) to the St. Boniface Research lab 

together with several of my private microscopes and other research equipment valued at over $48,000.00 to the St. Boniface Hospital Research Foundation (Ref Dr. John Forester )

Recent Retrovirus pandemics.

Recent Retrovirus pandemics.

In the last half century we have  witnessed  several  pandemics caused by these retroviruses , viz, ,swine influenza ( during First world war), HIV/AIDS, Ebola, Sars and in 2020- Corona.  These RNA viruses “…insert a copy of their own  genome into the DNA of a host cell that it invades thus changing the genome of that host cell”  To do this inversion process, retroviruses use their own reverse transcriptase enzyme to produce DNA from its own RNA genome . This new retroviral DNA- called a provirus– is incorporated into the host cell DNA genome with a intergrade enzyme

However before a RNA virus can do this conversion it must  first gain entrance into the human cell cytoplasm- usually a T4 thymus (helper ) cell.  

Although retroviruses may be useful tools in adding new genes to your DNA genome they do run the risk of potentially creating new retrovirus pathogens.-

M

Canada new nutritional guidelines-2018

After some 12 years the current Federal Health Minister  announced the new edition of the Canadian food guidelines. Gone are the 4 rainbows together with the details of the kind as well as the number of servings that we all should be taking each day. The other major change  was for the  protein food group where they  recommended a shift from  animal sources like  meat from cattle, chickens,  pigs, etc. to a plant source like lentils, nuts and beans. 

As a current gerontologist, and  a former geriatrician were a major portion of my practice were seniors, I was disappointed not to find in these new guidelines any mention of the role that  antioxidant food supplements and/or free radical scavengers play in reducing many of the symptoms of degenerative diseases especially those in our elderly population  The recent editorial comment in the Friday issue of the Winnipeg Free Press also has no mention of the role of anti-oxidants and/or free radical scavengers.  Some biologists consider that the study of  metabolism in human physiology  of the reactive oxygen toxic species -( which include the superoxide radical, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical and singlet oxygen-ROTS for short ) –  and are the main source of free radicals in our bodies  are important enough to have their status  elevated to be one of the disciplines in internal medicine calling it oxidology.

Semeon B.Hrushovetz, B.Sc(Hons),M.Sc.,Ph.D., M.D.,CCFP

Canada’s new nutritional guidelines

After some 12 years the current Federal Health Minister announced the new edition of the Canadian food guidelines. Gone are the 4 rainbows together with the details of the kind as well as the number of servings that we all should be taking each day. The other major change was for the protein food group where they recommended a shift from animal sources like meat from cattle, chickens, pigs, etc. to a plant source like lentils, nuts and beans.

As a current gerontologist, and  a former geriatrician were a major portion of my practice were seniors, I was disappointed not to find in these new guidelines any mention of the role that  antioxidant food supplements and/or free radical scavengers play in reducing many of the symptoms of degenerative diseases especially those in our elderly population  The recent editorial comment in the Friday issue of the Winnipeg Free Press also has no mention of the role of anti-oxidants and/or free radical scavengers.  Some biologists consider that the study of  metabolism in human physiology  of the reactive oxygen toxic species -( which include the superoxide radical, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical and singlet oxygen-ROTS for short ) -  and are the main source of free radicals in our bodies  are important enough to have their status  elevated to be one of the disciplines in internal medicine calling it oxidology.

Semeon B.Hrushovetz, B.Sc(Hons),M.Sc.,Ph.D., M.D.,CCFP

Retrovirus report

Our specialists being interviewed  re  Covid-19 pandemic are not mentioning what has been done with HIV /AIDS. I have previously mentioned that HIV is  one of the RNA  retroviruses– like the others in this group after becoming part go the host DNA genome of having the unique property of instructing the host DNA genome to specifically make copies of its RNA virus. I then detail in my previous reports how this virus specifically invades the CT4 thymic (helper )lymphocytes. I also explained how this repeated growth of the virus eventually  results in preventing the lymphocytes from producing sufficient antibodies and then finally the engorged lymphocytes die releasing  copies of the virus which can now invade other CT4 cells repeating this process When the number of CT4 lymphocytes drops to 300 or less.-the normal level is  1500/cm

patients begin showing signs of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome  < https://www.hiv.va.gov/patient/diagnosis/labs-CD4-count.asp > For the HIV RNA retrovirus for which the virologist still have not developed a vaccine were able to do was  develop a medical treatment called ART which basically acts  as an enzyme inhibitor preventing  the DNA of the host from making copies of its viral RNA. 

I would highly recommend that the virologists do a CT4 lymphocyte count on all   Covid-19 patients who are on respirators ,those who have died, as well those with varied symptoms suggestive of acquired immune deficiency syndrome to see if some of them are developing AIDS.

Note urge readers to follow my Covid-19 addendum remarks for other comments,.

AIDS and Covid-19

Our specialists being interviewed  re  Covid-19 pandemic are not mentioning what has been done with HIV /AIDS. I have previously mentioned that HIV is  one of the RNA  retroviruses– like the others in this group after becoming part go the host DNA genome of having the unique property of instructing the host DNA genome to specifically make copies of its RNA virus. I then detail in my previous reports how this virus specifically invades the CT4 thymic (helper )lymphocytes. I also explained how this repeated growth of the virus eventually  results in preventing the lymphocytes from producing sufficient antibodies and then finally the engorged lymphocytes die releasing  copies of the virus which can now invade other CT4 cells repeating this process When the number of CT4 lymphocytes drops to 300 or less.-the normal level is  1500/cm

patients begin showing signs of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome  < https://www.hiv.va.gov/patient/diagnosis/labs-CD4-count.asp > For the HIV RNA retrovirus for which the virologist still have not developed a vaccine were able to do was  develop a medical treatment called ART which basically acts  as an enzyme inhibitor preventing  the DNA of the host from making copies of its viral RNA. 

I would highly recommend that the virologists do a CT4 lymphocyte count on all   Covid-19 patients who are on respirators ,those who have died, as well those with varied symptoms suggestive of acquired immune deficiency syndrome to see if some of them are developing AIDS.

Note urge readers to follow my Covid-19 addendum remarks for other comments,.

Retrovirus pandemics.

What do we do when we dont have a vaccine. As  mentioned in my introductory pages document the virologists basically have 2 obvious strategies available for prevention of infections and/or pandemics and AIDS We can prevent the virus from entering the cell- for such  RNA  retrovirus its specifically from penetrating the cell wall of human  CT4 lymphocyte.

  1. ART medical treatment.  Virologists currently use this procedure to prevent the development of AIDS-Aquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome for HIV –

***************************************************************************************************PrHere are more details on these 2 methods which I mentioned in my introductory pages document.  

 in item 2 and 3.entitled event cell penetration

  • protein coat of virus
  • use of time lapse cine photomicrography Like the Sage time lapse unit which I have used

ART medical treatment still the only treatment available since we still don’t have a vaccine for HIV- The treatment reduces the level of the virus in the patient so  they no longer have AIDS- Aquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome  and/or   cannot transmit infection to partners.

* Note: I have already briefly mention these 2 procedures in my introduction**

One way  to study the process of penetration of the host cell by the virus is to use time lapse cine photo microscopy When I was invited by Dr. P. Thorlakson of the Winnipeg Clinic in 1965 to set up at their Clinic a private  research Laboratory  we purchased a Sage time lapse photo microscopic apparatus  to study the cell behaviour of human cells grown in tissue culture. I was familiar with blastogenesis- the process of cell division following the addition of phytoaggultin to the blood culture .-the  procedure that cytogeneticist use to perform chromosomal analysis.- indeed I was the first cell biologist in Winnipeg to establish a private cytogenetic lab in Western Canada- called Western Cytpoogenetic Laboratory. I also established and directed this service for the Winnipeg Clinic.   I wrote an article for the Manitoba Medical Review1968 entitled Lymphocyte Transformation Reaction which lists some of the clinical applications of blastogenesis.The technique I used to study this cellular behaviour was rather simple. Blood was drawn by venepucture into a heparized syringe, a portion. was centrifuged at slow speeds to separate the RBC from the serum. From the buffy coat present at the junction of the RBC  layer and the serum a portion of this was taken with a pipette and a drop of it was placed in special microscope cells which had a well ( hollowed out area ).Enough contents was placed to fill the well, than a coverslip was carefully added so no air was trapped. The slide was now ready for study. The Sage time lapse unit has a microscope clamped down to the desk surface.and the top, microscope with attached movie camera including the  plastic covering Holes in plastic covering are present to insert your arms when viewing and adjusting the mechanical stage which holds the microscope slide. A plastic cover for the microscope  has a small heater to kept everything at body temperature. 

Phase contrast  photomicroscopy was   used for most of the studies. Movies were  either B & W  and/or color 16 mm and most were time lapse- with photos snapped ever half minute. An adapter on the movie camera allowed to attach a 400 mm roll of film.

I should mention that after the Winnipeg Clinic laboratory dissolved in 1968 and the equipment was given to the anatomy department of the U of M  medical school. When I set up my own private research lab to study cellular aging in 1974called the Kildonan Institute of Gerontology, I was able to use it on loan for over 15 years. Indeed most of the 10,000 feet of movie film- mainly in color which I have in my archives were taken at the Kildonan Institute of Gerontology . 

In 1994 the Time lapse unit was returned to the university- actually it was transferred  (donated ) to the St. Boniface Research lab 

together with several of my private microscopes and other research equipment valued at over $48,000.00 to the St. Boniface Hospital Research Foundation (Ref Dr. John Forester )

Why are the specialists not talking about AIDS in Covid-19

 Our specialists being interviewed  re  Covid-19 pandemic are not mentioning what has been done with HIV /AIDS. I have previously mentioned that HIV is  one of the RNA  retroviruses– like the others in this group after becoming part go the host DNA genome of having the unique property of instructing the host DNA genome to specifically make copies of its RNA virus. I then detail in my previous reports how this virus specifically invades the CT4 thymic (helper )lymphocytes. I also explained how this repeated growth of the virus eventually  results in preventing the lymphocytes from producing sufficient antibodies and then finally the engorged lymphocytes die releasing  copies of the virus which can now invade other CT4 cells repeating this process When the number of CT4 lymphocytes drops to 300 or less.-the normal level is  1500/cm patients begin showing signs of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome 

< https://www.hiv.va.gov/patient/diagnosis/labs-CD4-count.asp > For the HIV RNA retrovirus- for which the virologist still have not developed a vaccine- they were able to   develop a medical treatment called ART which basically acts  as an enzyme inhibitor preventing  the DNA of the host from making copies of its viral RNA. 

I would highly recommend that the virologists do a CT4 lymphocyte count on all   Covid-19 patients who are on respirators ,those who have died, as well those with varied symptoms suggestive of acquired immune deficiency syndrome to see if some of them are developing AIDS.

I also urge readers to follow my Covid-19 updates for other comments,.

Covid-19 SBH-updates

Retrovirus pandemics reportings- .

 During the last century there have been  5  major  pandemics- the swine or Spanish flu, HIV/AIDS, Ebola, Sars and currently  Corona, all  caused by RNA retroviruses.. 

From a Wikipedia  search we read that these RNA retroviruses  have the ability to insert a copy of their own  RNA genome into the DNA genome of  the  host (human cells ) that they invade . To do this amazing genetic inversion process, retroviruses  use their own reverse transcriptase enzyme to produce a DNA copy of their own RNA genome . This new retroviral DNA– called a provirus–  is then incorporated into the host cell DNA genome with an integrate enzyme. The host cell now can treat the viral DNA as part  of its own genome ! -first transcribing it into RNA  then  translating the viral genes along with the host cells own genes-into a peptide: by following  the classical Francis Crick model which every student learned in their high school biology class.:namely: DNA-to RNA-to amino acid peptide.viz transcription/translation/ to a protein peptide chain. You can do this google research yourself just by opening the  Safari app and typing  in the  search field-the word  “retroviruses.”

Molecular  biologists quickly realized that this property of retroviruses could be useful tools in adding new genes to the human DNA genome – Obviouslythey run the risk of potentially creating new retrovirus pathogens like the 5 pandemics I mentioned.  Indeed Dr. Leonard Horowitz in his textbook Emerging Viruses  AIDS & Ebola. Nature, Accident or Intentional ?, details how some of these  possible dangers may occur. 

Since before a retro RNA-virus can do this conversion and produce the pandemic. it must  first gain entrance into the human cell cytoplasm- For them  these target host cells are the special lymphocytes called T4 thymus (helper ) cells. Maybe the virologists who are working to develop vaccines  should shift to find ways to prevent such viruses and other microbes from penetrating cell membranes rather than working on developing special vaccines. 

For over 15 years (Between 1974-1992) while in medical practice I set up a private tissue culture laboratory where I studied the cellular behaviour of human lymphocytes growing in blood culture  using  the Sage time  lapse cinephotomicrographic apparatus.I was able to record several types of cellular behavior, which I felt might help explain the findings by the late Dr. Frank Plummer of  where he found a group of female sex workers were immune to the HIV virus. Would this find that this RNA retrovirus not be able to enter the human lymphocytes from this  special female group. My studies of the behaviour of human lymphocytes in blood tissue culture with time lapse movie might demonstrate this behaviour. Unfortunately I never did get around to do this study even though I made several attempts to contact and do a joint study with Dr,F. Plummer using the group of sexual prostitutes whom he found were immune to AIDS,

Dr. Semeon B. Hrushovetz, B.Sc.M.S.,Ph.D, M.D.CCFP