About

I am fascinated by biology, complexity and chaos. Computer scientist and nuclear engineer by profession and training, I realized that software is inherently complex but the hardware we deal with is simple in the sense it’s mostly based on linear mathematics. (unless you are looking at simulating complex systems like neural networks, genetic programming). Until multi-threading is introduced, most software systems were too simple to mimic anything that’s remotely like the biological processes. Similarly most of nuclear physics is based on reductionism, approximation. The one exception to this is the theory of quantum mechanics. Quantum mechanics is the first theory in physics to accept there are limitations to our ability to view finer and finer details without the cause and effect interacting. What has been frustrating me with current physics is the attempt by theorists who are trying to reduce all of the physical phenomena into simple strings, bubbles etc. The true scientists in my opinion are the biologists who deal with complex systems and accept them as non-linear in nature. To whet my appetite and interest in this field, I read a lot of books and news on biology. I am especially interested in molecular biology, cell structures with emphasis on Telomeres and Telomerase. More recently I developed interest in Brain plasticity. Because of these interests, you will see my blogs reporting news on complex systems, telomeres, brain research, autism, stem cells etc.

If these broad areas are of interest to you and you would like me to cover some specific topics within those, please leave a comment here.

A little explanation of my choice for the name “RndSync”

Rnd stands for Random which is what biological process are driven by.

Sync – I was inspired by the book “Sync” by Steven Strogatz where he describes how the seemingly random events get synchronized to produce harmony. Emergence of sync is a very fascinating phenomenon – a byproduct of complex systems.

1 Response to About

  1. Julian Lieb,M.D says:

    Julian Lieb, M.D
    Julian@DoctorLieb.com
    .
    THE REMARKABLE ANTICANCER PROPERTIES OF ANTIDEPRESSANTS

    The idea that antidepressants might be effective for cancer was first explored fifty years ago, and ample proof has emerged. More than one hundred published studies show that antidepressants kill cancer cells, inhibit their proliferation, augment chemotherapy, protect nonmalignant cells from ionizing radiation and chemotherapy toxicity, and convert multidrug resistant cells to sensitive. Antidepressants can arrest cancer even in advanced stages, occasionally eradicate it, and significantly extend life. To verify, access Medline or Pubmed, and enter “antidepressants” and “cancer.”

    Prostaglandins are nature’s universal signalers, self-regulating every physiological function in our bodies. When up-regulated prostaglandins cause many of our major disorders, the variations probably accounted for by our genes. In 1973, David Horrobin, a prolific prostaglandin researcher, was among those showing that lithium and antidepressants oppose prostaglandins, and in 1977, that prostaglandins regulate nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). Millie Hughes- Fulford and others followed by showing that prostaglandins regulate the synthesis, inhibition, and expression of genes. Later, Armato and Andreis showed that prostaglandins regulate the growth and differentiation of cells, and Goodlad cell division, when cancer is the accelerated division of abnormal cells. Earlier, Rashida Karmali showed that prostaglandins regulate the initiation, promotion, and spread of tumors. Other prostaglandin inhibiting agents such as aspirin and ibuprofen have also shown considerable promise in preventing, treating, and arresting cancer..

    It is the ethical and human right of physicians, patients, and the public, to be informed of medical research that offers hope for disorders bereft of hope. No one may modify, or subject the information to peer review. Dissemination of the innovation will remove a burden that society is unable to cope with. Safe, ethical, effective, available to all, outpatient prevention and treatment of cancer for a pittance, is not a bad deal. Millions dying at home, unable to afford treatment, transformed into people without pain, with energy, not wanting to die, and knowing that the monster has been tamed.
    THE CANCER KILLING EFFECTS OF ANTIDEPRESSANTS

    A SELECTION FROM MORE THAN A HUNDRED STUDIES,
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    Honda T, Favalaro FG Jr, Kjanosik T et al. Efficient synthesis of (-) and (+)-tricyclic compounds with enone functionalities in rings A and C. A novel class of orally active anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive agents. Org Biomol Chem. 2003 Dec 21; 1(24): 4384-91. Epub 2003 Oct 31.
    Levkovitz Y, Gil-Ad I, Zeidich E et al. Differential induction of apoptosis by antidepressants in glioma and neuroblastoma cell lines: evidence for p-c-Jun, cytochrome C, and caspase–3 involvement. J Mol Neurosci , 2005;27(1):29-42
    Hsu SS, Huang CJ, Chen JS et al. Effect of nortriptyline on intracellular Ca2+ handling and proliferation in human osteosarcoma cells. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2004 Sep; 95(3): 124-30
    Arimochi H, Morita K. Characterization of cytotoxic actions of tricyclic antidepressants on human HT29 colon carcinoma cells. Eur J Pharmacol, 2006 Jul 10; 541(1-2): 17-23
    Daley E, Wilkie D, Loesch A, Hargreaves IP. Kendall DA, Pilkington GJ, Bates TE. Chlorimipramine: a novel anticancer agent with a mitochondrial target. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2005 Mar 11; 328(2): 623-32
    Hisaoka K, Nishida A, Koda T, et al: Antidepressant drug treatments induce glial cell line-derivative neurotrophic factor (GDNF) synthesis and release in rat C6 glioblastoma cells. J Neurochem 2001 Oct; 79(1): 25-34
    Spanova A, Kovaru H, Lisa V, Lukasova E, Rittich B. Estimation of apoptosis in C6 glioma cells treated with antidepressants. Physiol Res. 1997; 46(2): 161-4
    Xia Z, Bergstrand A, DePierre JW, Nassberger L. The antidepressants imipramine, clomipramine and citalopram induce apoptosis in human acute myeloid leukemia HL-60 cells via caspase–3 activation. I Biochem Mol Toxicol. 1999; 13(6): 338-47
    Hsu SS, Huang CJ, Chen JS, et al. Effect of nortriptyline on intracellular Ca2+ handling and proliferation in human osteosarcoma cells. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2004 Sep; 95(3): 124-30
    Chou CT, He S, Jan CR. Paroxetine–induced apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells: activation of p38 MAP kinase and caspase-3 pathways without involvement of (Ca2+) elevation. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2007 Feb 1: Feb 1; 218(2): 265-73
    Pan CC, Cheng HH, and Huang CJ et al. The antidepressant mirtazapine induced cytosolic Ca2+ elevation and cytotoxicity in human osteosarcoma cells. Chin J Physiol. 2006 Dec 31; 49(6): 290-7
    Toki S, Donati RJ, Rasenick MM. Treatment of C6 glioma cells and rats with antidepressant drugs increases the detergent extraction of G (s alpha) from plasma membrane. J Neurochem . 1999 Sep; 73(3): 1114-20
    Snyder SW, Egorin MJ, Zuhowski EG, Schimpff EC, Callery PS. Effects of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor, tranylcypromine, on induction of HL60 differentiation by hexamethylene bisacetamide and N-acetyl-1.6-diaminohexane. Cancer Commun.1990; 2(7): 231-6
    Tang KY, Lu T, Chang CH et al. Effects of fluoxetine on intracellular Ca2+ levels in bladder female transitional carcinoma (BFTC) cells. Pharmacol. Res. 2001 May; 43(5); 503-8
    Elojeimy S, Holman DH, El-Zawahry A et al. New insights into the use of desipramine as an inhibitor for acid ceramidase. FEBS Lett. 2006 Aug 21; 580(19): 4751-6. Epub 2006 Aug 4.
    Mal’tseva LF. Effect of serotonin antagonists and monoamine oxidase inhibitors on the antineoplastic effects of serotonin. Farmakol Toksikol. 1968 Nov-Dec; 31(6): 735-8
    Albouz S, Tocque B, Hauw JJ et al. Tricyclic antidepressant desipramine induces stereospecific opiate binding and lipid modification in rat glioma C6 cells. Life Sci. 1982 Dec 6; 31(23): 2549-54.
    Freire-Garabal M, Rey-Mendez M, Garcia-Vallejo LA et al. Effects of nefadazone on the development of experimentally induced tumors in stressed rodents. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2004; 176(3-4); 233-8. Epub. 2004 May 26.
    Basso A M, Depiante-Depaoli M, Molina VA. Chronic variable stress facilitates tumoral growth: reversal by imipramine administration. Life Sci 1992; 50(23): 1789-96
    McCormick DL, Spicer AM, Hollister JL. Differential effects of tranylcypromine and imidazole on mammary carcinogenesis on rats fed low and high fat diets. Cancer Res 1989 Jun 15; 49(12): 3168-72.
    Tsuruo T, Iida H, Nojiri M, Tsukagoshi S, Sakurai Y. Potentiation of chemotherapeutic effect of vincristine in vincristine resistant tumor bearing mice by calmodulin inhibitor clomipramine. J Pharmacobiodyn. 1983 Feb; 6(2): 145-7
    Abdul M, Logothetis CJ, Hoosein NM. Growth-inhibitory effects of serotonin uptake inhibitors on human prostate carcinoma cell lines. J Urol. 1995 Jul; 154(1):247-50.
    Tocque B, Albouz S, Boutry JM, Le Saux F, Hauw JJ, Bourdon R et al. Desipramine eliciits the expression of opiate receptors and sulfogalactosyleramide synthesis in rat C6 glioma cells. J Neurochem 1984 Apr; 42(4):1101-6.

    Penninx BW, Guralnik JM, Pahor M, Ferrucci L, Cerhan JR, Wallace RB, Havlik RJ. Chronically depressed mood and cancer risk in older persons. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1998 Dec 16; 90(24):1888-93.

    Walker AJ, Card T, Bates, TWE, Muir K. Tricyclic antidepressants and the incidence of certain cancers study using the GPRD. Br J Cancer 2010. Nov 16. [Epub ahead of print]

    Jovanovic D, et al Mianserin therapy in advanced lung cancer patients. 8th Central European Lung Cancer Conference. Vienna 2002. Internal Process Division, Monduzzi Editore 2002; 339-343
    All of this information is for educational purposes only. Any treatment decision should be arrived at in consultation with a .physician.

    Julian

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