........on.
To continue from , yesterday and the CJD - BSE story.
Firstly, there were some inconsistencies w/ the story. The long incubation period , the transmission process , the trans species movement and the passing of the blood brain barrier.
Explanations were slow to come. finally, a solution was available but it required suspension of normal scientific theory or the status quo.
The culprit was tiny protein piece. Small enough to pass filters , not be recognized as living by host bodies and therefore not rejected.
The new name was ' prion '.
The prion would alter the folding of proteins. A prion would act as a false prototype for essential proteins and cause mis-folding. ( FYI - the Nobel Prize went to the originator of the prion idea , 20 yrs after the publication of his theory. )
Protein function at any operational level is based on the 3 - D shape of the protein. The shapes are complex and unique for each function.
Other diseases were known that resulted in protein mis-folding but none where the offending particle was a false template for protein formation.
The most unsettling news is the anticipation that CJD will appear again as incubation times expire.... some 25 or 30 yrs post exposure.
Please note this explanation is simplified and anecdotal. However, in the fashion of this blog - more or less accurate.
BTW - prions are not affected by heat or radiation as far as tests have gone. Thus , the prion is not treatable in the hither - to accepted practices of disease control.
Weather : Summertime means heat and humidity and unsettled conditions. this pattern will occur this next 5 days.
Movie review re-viewed. We have a guest and re-watched ' the Day After To-morrow ' Dennis Quaid / Sela Ward / Jake Gyllenhal.
Others as well and hopefully they won't read this blog.
Still a good story , fine acting and a fine balance of tension and result.
To - day is Mom to the dentist Pt III. An afternoon appointment.
Expectations are that we will go home w/ dentures and a re-newed try at eating after some 6 months ( Nov ???? ). we have one more scheduled fitting so , there is a chance that to - day is an additional tweaking session and the final placement occurs next, oh well. One step closer.
Last night my brother was featured in my dreams. He died in 1996 , but is starring in some weird images. Well, weirdy dreamer - weird dreams. Hey , is that a 17 yr incubation period , kidding , its happened before. Last night was vivid.
I punched him which is in character and he didn't get mad which is also in character but he'll get me to-night which is also in character. I'm doomed.
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