To all akaQA members past and present, near and far, wishing you good health and a peaceful and happy 2020.
....bowl someone over.
January the 6th, and if your Birthday falls on the 7th, you may, in celebration thereof, delay taking down the decorations.
Well, turning the clock back to 2011, who would have thought that five years later, Russia would have its first President of the (mighty?) USA? You ain’t seen nothin’ yet. It’s looking more likely that with the votes of the Republican Senators in Congress rejecting Impeachment, the way is paved for a second term of office. Is that your wish?
Sport
On balance, I would be in a better physical condition than most people in the entertainment business, and for that reason alone I would prefer Sport.
Pulmonary fibrosis creates scar tissue. The scarring is permanent once it has developed Slowing the progression and prevention depends on the underlying cause:
- Treatment options for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are very limited. Though research trials are ongoing, there is no evidence that any medications can significantly help this condition. Lung transplantation is the only therapeutic option available in severe cases. Since some types of lung fibrosis can respond to corticosteroids (such as prednisone) and/or other medications that suppress the body's immune system, these types of drugs are sometimes prescribed in an attempt to slow the processes that lead to fibrosis.
The immune system is felt to play a central role in the development of many forms of pulmonary fibrosis. The goal of treatment with immune suppressive agents such as corticosteroids is to decrease lung inflammation and subsequent scarring. Responses to treatment are variable. Those whose conditions improve with immune suppressive treatment probably do not have idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis has no significant treatment or cure.
- Two pharmacological agents intended to prevent scarring in mild idiopathic fibrosis are pirfenidone, which reduced reductions in the 1-year rate of decline in FVC. Pirfenidone also reduced the decline in distances on the 6-minute walk test, but had no effect on respiratory symptoms. The second agent is nintedanib, which acts as antifibrotic, mediated through the inhibition of a variety of tyrosine kinase receptors (including platelet-derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor). A randomized clinical trial showed it reduced lung-function decline and acute exacerbations.
- Anti-inflammatory agents have only limited success in reducing the fibrotic process. Some of the other types of fibrosis, such as non-specific interstitial pneumonia, may respond to immunosuppressive therapy such as corticosteroids. However, only a minority of patients respond to corticosteroids alone, so additional immunosuppressants, such as cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, methotrexate, penicillamine, and cyclosporine may be used. Colchicine has also been used with limited success. There are ongoing trials with newer drugs such as IFN-γ and mycophenolate mofetil.
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a less severe form of pulmonary fibrosis, is prevented from becoming aggravated by avoiding contact with the causative material.
- Oxygen supplementation improves the quality of life and exercise capacity. Lung transplantation may be considered for some patients.
Wikipedia 2019
Full Article here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulmonary_fibrosis#Prognosis
Yes, I remember it well, it was in 1944/45 as a 2yearold. I learned later from Dad it was a Marconi receiver, dark-brown with 4 knobs and several push buttons.
In 1984, I purchased a high-end turn-table. After very carefully setting-up the ‘platter‘, suspension, ton-arm and cartridge calibration, it was ready for its inaugural debut. I was nervous, the moment of truth was about to be revealed, had it all been worth it? I need not have worried, I was overjoyed and could only marvel at the wonderful sound, all stemming from the groove in a vinyl disc! It's a pity I can't take it with me to my grave.
Yes to both, unequivocally.
Glasses that have a tinted yellow hue are often marketed as specialized night-vision glasses that can improve contrast and reduce glare. But beware — there is a lack of evidence that they improve nighttime visibility. In fact, since they reduce the amount of light that enters the eye, they may make it harder to see, not easier. Instead, Dr. Houston recommends wearing eyeglasses with an anti-reflective coating. This helps to prevent light from bouncing around inside your lenses. Dr. Houston also stresses the importance of having an annual eye exam. “It’s important that your prescription is up to date. But it’s also critical to screen for potential eye conditions — like cataracts or glaucoma — that could contribute to poor night vision,” he said.
Kevin Houston, OD, MSc, is an optometrist in the Vision Rehabilitation Service at Mass. Eye and Ear.