Saturday, December 31, 2022

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, SNPs, 2023

     Single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs, are Genetic DNA variants.  SNPs predict an individual’s response to drugs, susceptibility to environmental factors, and uncovers the risk of developing diseases. SNPs can also be used to track the insurance of disease-associated genetic variants within families.

     SNPs occur normally throughout a person’s DNA. They occur almost once in every 1,000 nucleotides on average, which means there are roughly 4 to 5 million SNPs in a person's genome. These variations occur in many individuals; to be classified as a SNP, a variant is found in at least 1 percent of the population. Scientists have found more than 600 million SNPs in populations around the world.

     SNPs research is known as Genotyping. Genotyping is a laboratory process in which an individual’s germline DNA is analyzed for SNPs. Genotyping differs from sequencing in which all of the nucleotides comprising a specific length of DNA are assessed.  Genotyping is used in a number of sectors.  The most important sectors are clinical research, clinical diagnostics and agriculture.

     An example of the use of Genotyping in clinical research is for the purpose of Precision Medicine.  This form of medicine uses information about a person’s own genes or proteins to prevent, diagnose, or treat disease.  One sort of Precision Medicine is "targeted therapy to treat HER2-positive breast cancer cells by tumor marker testing." PMC

     An example of the use of Genotyping in clinical diagnostics is to treat Antimicrobial Resistance.  This Resistance is the developed within a disease-causing microbe. A resistant microbe has the ability to survive exposure to an antimicrobial agent that was previously an effective treatment.  Antimicrobial Resistance initiates through mutation or gene transfer.

     An example of the use of Genotyping in agriculture is to identify potential genes to improve crop and livestock breeding programs. Breeding complex traits and minor genetic effects with high-density markers is Genotyping.  Each trait-related locus is associated with at least one marker for the purpose of choosing top-ranked lines based on individuals' genomic estimated breeding values.

     SNPs research occurs with a genotyper.  "Kmer-based Alignment-free Graph Genotyper, or KAGE, is a new genotyper for SNPs and short indels that builds on recent ideas of alignment-free genotyping from Malva and PanGenie for computationally efficiency. KAGE implements two novel ideas for utilizing all previously known haplotype information from repositories such as the "1000 Genomes Project" in order to improve genotyping accuracy, and speed." BMC, Genome Biology 

     SNPs are found in the DNA. They can act as biological markers, helping scientists locate genes that are associated with disease. When SNPs occur within a gene or in a regulatory region near a gene, they may play a more direct role in disease by affecting the gene’s functions. Research continues to identify SNPs associated with complex diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

The Formula for Interest Rate and Compound Interest Rate

     The amount charged by a lender to a borrower for a debt is called Interest Rate. It's a percentage. (Accountingtools.com)

     Interest rates are applied to borrowed items.  Common borrowed items with Interest rates applied are cash, accounts, vehicles, and buildings.  Another term for interest rate is lease rate. (Investopedia.com)

     The I.R. is supposed to cover the risk.  It is the  charge for the use of the item borrowed.  I.R. is described as compensation of a loss of opportunity.

     The rate is divided into a period of time.  The unit rate is set according to the lender.  The time is usually annually, or yearly.  There are formulas.
 

Simple Interest -  Principal x Rate x Time

Compound Interest - Principal (1 + Interest)^Time


Let's look at some examples.

1)  Aunt Sally has $100 in her bank. After one year, she has withdrawn a total of $20 and she still has $85 in the bank. What is the yearly interest rate of her bank account?

Answer: 6.25%

Explanation:  Since Sally has withdrawn $20, that means she only has $80 in her account.

80 + 80x = 85
80x = 5
x = 5 / 80
x = 0.0625
6.25%

---

2)  If an entrepreneur borrows $200,000 at an interest rate of 6% compounded annually, when she profits in 4 years, how much money will she owe? Round to the nearest dollar.

Answer:  $252,495

Explanation:  A = P(1+r)^t

A is the amount of money owed, 
P is the sum borrowed, 
r is the yearly interest rate, 
n is the amount of times the interest is compounded per year, and 
t is the number of years.  

A = $200,000 (1+0.061)^4
A = $252,495

---


3)  Dillon borrows $200,000 at an interest rate of 6% compounded quarterly, when she graduates in 4 years how much money will she owe? Round to the nearest dollar.

Answer: $253,797

Explanation: A = P(1+r)^t

P = $200,000
r = 6% =0.06
t = 4

A = $200,000 (1+0.064)^4
A = $253,797


     I.R. (interest rate) is the amount charged by a lender toward a debt in a percentage.


Sunday, August 28, 2022

Liver Fibrosis and WISP1 antibody inhibited MRTF signaling.

     Fibrosis is the major risk factor associated with morbidity and mortality in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, (NASH), chronic liver disease.  NASH fat cells cause liver scarring which can lead to cirrhosis, and possibly cancer.  JCI.

     Liver fibrosis is the scarring of the liver tissue.  This is the first stage of liver deterioration.   The liver functions decrease until there is nothing left.  Liver failure ensues.

     Research has been unable to clearly establish the initiation mediators.  There are treatments available.  NIH.

     After a biopsy, doctors will usually assign a level of affect.  METAVIR is a popular scoring system.  A0: no activity; A1: mild activity; A2: moderate activity; A3: severe activity.  F0: no fibrosis; F1: portal fibrosis without septa; F2: portal fibrosis with few septa; F3: numerous septa without cirrhosis; F4: cirrhosis.

     With status assignment a pathway appears, involving WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein 1 (WISP1) and myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF). Nature.com.  This protein pathway functions as a central mechanism pushing liver fibrosis progression.  This occurs via the integrin-dependent transcriptional reprogramming of myofibroblast cytoskeleton and motility.

     Regulation of WISP proteins could improve treatments for cancer patients.

     Liver fibrosis patients are given antifibrotics.  Antifibrotics are prescribed medications which have been shown to reduce the likelihood that liver scarring will occur. 

     Research is ongoing.  In mice, WISP1 protein deficiency protects against fibrosis progression, but not fibrosis onset.  Treatment is available.  The cure hasn't been found, yet.  The therapeutic administration of a novel antibody blocking WISP1 halted the progression of existing liver fibrosis in NASH models. 

     Research on the eradication of fibrosis leads to the WISP1-MRTF axis.  This is the key to liver fibrosis progression. The aim is to target the pathway with antibody-based therapy.  Apply WISP1.  Stop MRTF. Slow down NASH.

     Thus, WISP1 antibody inhibition of MRTF signaling will prevent progression and treat NASH fibrosis

 

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Crypto July 2022 Rise or Fall?



     Crypto has plunged very low.  It approached an untouchable status.  Everybody sold.  The headlines are explaining it all.


Headline:
Bitcoin Settles in Calm Before Possible US Inflation Storm
Bloomberg.com
     Inflation has been deemed a trickle down effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Fresh volatility possibly, in turn, deserves some fresh investments.


     At the time of this posting, cryptocurrency held at about $19,500, in Asian trading, small changes of the day.  This is on the back end of a drop of 11% from the end of last week.


     Inflation could drop the currently strong Dollar, and make Crypto stand up.  The American Dollar ran side by side with the Euro.
Current crypto standings are about to jump.
Crypto standings- 7/2022- $906 billion, decreased from, $3 trillion 11/2021, market value.

     Other current Crypto news shows the cold side of severe market changes.

Headline:
Crypto Winter Watch: All The Big Layoffs, Record Withdrawals And Bankruptcies Sparked By The $2 Trillion Crash.  
Forbes.com
     Forbes termed the plunge in market value as a crypto winter.


          "Crypto winter forced once high-flying firms into bankruptcy and pushed investors into panic-selling mode."

     The results: losses of trillions of dollars in market value, billions of dollars in frozen funds and thousands of jobs.


     The Federal Reserve curbed rising inflation by hiking interest rates.  Investors are depressed. $3 trillion in November 2021, and currently, $920 billion.  That's a tactical 60% drop this year.  Following this market declines, cryptocurrency companies have laid off more than 2,000 workers in less than five weeks.  Joblessness is increasing.


     Investors fled cryptocurrency investment funds at a record pace.   Bitcoin plunged to an 18-month low last month. Outflows totaled $423 million in the week of June 17.  “Extreme market conditions,” crypto lender Celsius became the first major platform to pause withdrawals and transfers between customer accounts on June 13. Others followed suit: Babel Finance, CoinFLEX and Voyager all froze withdrawals.


     Cryptocurrency investment risks are very high.


     On June 29, a British Virgin Islands court reportedly ordered 3AC to liquidate its assets, insolvency, Chapter 11.  Voyager itself filed for bankruptcy on July 5.  Celsius, Chapter 11 bankruptcy on July 13. It listed assets between $1 billion and $10 billion, liabilities in the same range, and dozens of loans for millions of dollars, via Invictus Capital.

     This is a complicated point.


Headline:
Technical Analysis 
coindesk.com
     Bitcoin has reached breakeven for the week, invalidating a major bearish technical setup.  A bearish but historically contrary indicator suggests an end to the market decline and a bullish revival ahead..


     BTC's current price range remains intact after several weeks of negative returns.


     The headlines are endless on the cyber news front.  As of 7/18/22, Ethereum has reversed it's course ever so slightly.

     The Crypto ride hasn't been closed.  All riders, hands in the car.  


     Have fun.

Saturday, June 11, 2022

Salad and Fish


     SolutionSalad and Fish.  The solution has been presented before the problem has been determined.

     We wake up every morning, still tired.  Sleep inertia is the feeling of grogginess, disorientation, drowsiness, and cognitive impairment that immediately follows waking up. Loss of R.E.M. sleep produces an increase in delta wave brain activity. High levels of adenosine occur.  There is also a state of reduced blood flow.

         

          "Diet and nutrition can influence the quality of your sleep, and certain foods and drinks can make it easier or harder to get the sleep that you need." (Sleep foundation.org)



     Sleep inertia is from a lack of key nutrients.  Calcium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, D, E, and K are key nutrients.  The daily vitamin pill is excellent. (VITAMIN SHOPPE)

     The fastest way to bypass discombobulation is with a constantly healthy diet.  Breakfast is essential.  Lunch can remain small.  Dinner is the big meal. 

     Meal prep speed can interfere in your meal planning.  Try ready made meals at your neighborhood grocery store.  HEB has a MEAL SIMPLE section in their grocery stores. (HEB foods). Load up on an order on INSTACART and it's that easy to stock up on plenty of salad and fish. (Instacart.com)

     A healthy meal is part of a heaalthy diet that maintains or improves overall health. A healthy diet provides the body with essential nutrition: fluid, macronutrient protein, vitamins, adequate fiber, and energy.  Exercise regularly, too.

     A personal salad, or single serving proportion, is a mere 14 calories.

     Produce and seafood are packed with vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants.  Salad and Fish are low in calories. Certain types of fish and salad are more healthy than others.

     Tossed salad-  it is a salad made of greens, romaine lettuce, often with added vegetables (such as sliced tomato and cucumber) tossed in an oil dressing.
Ingredients:  
2 cups lettuce
1 sliced tomato
1 diced boiled egg
1/2 cup low fat American cheese
1/3 cucumber diced

     Caesar salad- it is a salad typically consisting of romaine lettuce and croutons served with a dressing containing olive oil, lemon juice, raw egg, parmesan cheese, and seasoning.
Ingredients:
cup Caesar dressing
bunches romaine, torn into bite-size pieces
cups Caesar or garlic-flavored croutons
2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Freshly ground pepper


     Leafy green salad- it is a simple green salad and is made with romaine lettuce and baby spinach and can be thrown together in minutes to round out any meal.
Ingredients:
1 cup lettuce
1 cup spinach

     Greek salad-  ,or horiatiki salad, is a popular salad in Greek cuisine generally made with pieces of tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, green bell pepper slices, feta cheese, and olives and dressed with salt, Greek oregano, and olive oil. A common addition is caper berries.
Ingredients:
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon chopped garlic
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried dill or 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 large plum tomatoes, seeded and coarsely chopped
3/4 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and coarsely chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped
1/2 cup pitted black olives (preferably brine-cured), coarsely chopped
Heaping 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

     Cobb salad- it is lettuce topped with pieces of chicken, cheese, bacon, hard-boiled egg, avocado, and tomato, typically served as a main course.
2 cups lettuce
Ingredients:
1/3 c. red wine vinegar
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
2/3 c. extra-virgin olive oilKosher saltFreshly ground black pepper
head romaine lettuce, coarsely chopped
hard-boiled eggs, peeled and quartered
12 oz. cooked chicken, diced
slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
avocado, thinly sliced
4 oz. crumbled blue cheese
5 oz. cherry tomatoes, halved
2 tbsp. finely chopped chives

     The family of dark green leafy vegetables deliver many nutrients, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, antioxidants, fiber, folate, vitamin K, magnesium, calcium, iron and potassium.  Green leafy vegetables are great for so many different ailments.  One function is to naturally detox the liver.  One popular detox shake contains kale, collards, and spinach.

     ATLANTIC SALMON
     Most supermarket Atlantic salmon is farmed and is available year-round whole, in fillets, or as cross-cut steaks (pictured), Atlantic salmon has a meaty texture and mild flavor that pairs well with fragrant herbs like dill or chives.  3 ounces; 175 calories. Salmon is loaded with important nutrients, such as protein and vitamin d. Salmon is also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are incredibly important for your brain and body.  Salmon is loaded with important nutrients, such as protein and vitamin D. Salmon is also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are incredibly important for your body and brain.

     COD-
     Fresh cod is available year-round from cold North American and European waters. In recent years, shrinking stocks have been closely monitored. Cod’s medium-size flakes and mild flavor make it very versatile.

     CATFISH-
     Most catfish sold in the U.S. are farmed in the Mississippi delta, although imports from Asia are on the rise. Wild catfish can have a muddy flavor, but farmed catfish tastes cleaner and milder. Fillets should be white to off-white; avoid fish that is yellow.

     HADDOCK-
     A member of the cod family, haddock has firm, mild flesh that is perfect for fried fish and chips. Finnan haddie, or cold-smoked haddock, is particularly popular in Scotland.

     In a search for the most suitable salad and fish diet, you will find an overabundance of information.  A perfect salad and fish diet is waiting for you.

     Bad health, sleeplessness, headaches, fatigue, mood swings, and irritability rate high on a list of problems compounded daily.  The easiest solution is salad and fish.

     Open your menu at restaurants and stop on the salad section.  Alternate your "build a burger" with a piece of fish meat patty substitute.  Fast food joints are in on the solution too.  Look for the fish sandwiches.  Search for the side salads.  They are there.  The results include better moods, improved health, more protein, great sleep, high amounts of energy, and glowing skin.  

     Salad and fish.  Try it.  Save it in your meal schedule. 

Sunday, April 24, 2022

Short Run Earnings: How to Calculate Total Revenue

Short run earnings AP Microeconomics
Short-Run Supply



          "Revenue is the amount of money a company receives in exchange for its goods and services or conversely, what a customer pays a company for its goods or services. The revenue received by a company is usually listed on the first line of the income statement as revenue, sales, net sales, or net revenue."
Investopedia.com


     The bottom line is net income.  How is a company functioning?  Is it well?  How are the earnings? 


     Revenue analysis determines how well marketing strategies are working.  Revenue calculations demonstrate price changes affecting the demand for the product, and a multitude of other insights.


     Determine the consumers' product demand.  Determine the production costs.


     Profits are total revenues minus total costs.

     Objective:
     Calculate the amount of output to supply in order to maximize profits.

     Based on a perfectly competitive market: 

     Total Revenue (TR)-
     P x Q


          Ex.  If P = $10, and Q = 2, then

          Total Revenue = P x Q
          Total Revenue = $10 x 2
          Total Revenue = $20



     Marginal Revenue (MR)-
     TR changes in response to a 1-unit change in the firm's output. Perfectly competitive market.  Increase output by 1 unit, it
increases TR by P × 1 = P 

     MR is equal to the market price, P.


     Short‐run profit maximization:
     -maximize profits (marginal revenue equals its marginal cost)

     -marginal revenue exceeds marginal cost (greater profits by increasing output)

     -marginal revenue is below marginal cost (losing money, must reduce output)



          Ex. What is the result of a product price increase on the elastic portion of a demand curve?

          -An increase in total revenue.
          -A decrease in quantity demanded.
          -Movement toward a portion of the demand curve that is more elastic.

          On the elastic portion of the demand curve an increase in price will increase total revenue.  The price effect is greater than the quantity effect.  Quantity will still decrease.




     Calculating revenue is easy. Revenue analysis is extremely valuable. Accountants manipulate the numbers according to statement comprehension.

Sunday, March 13, 2022

p53 Tumor Suppressor

     P53 defined (Medline Plus). 

     P53 is a gene that makes a protein found inside the nucleus of cells.   It controls cell division and cell death.  Its molecular mass is in the 53 kilodaltons.  It's found on the seventh chromosome, 17p.

     A mutated p53 gene causes cancer cells to grow in the body.  A mutation is an alteration in the nucleotide sequence of the genome of an organism, virus, or extrachromosomal DNA. 


     The p53 gene is a tumor suppressor gene. This tumor suppressor gene is also called TP53 gene and tumor protein p53 gene.

     All cells have a nucleus, therefore p53 is found throughout the body.  It has an important duty.  In the immune system, lymph nodes defend against contaminations of our cellular processes.  P53 is the backup.  It destroys cancers and precancers.

     Cellular stress activated p53 can implement DNA repair, stop cell division, and start apoptosis.  Cellular stressors include extreme temperatures, toxic exposure, mechanism damage, and some viral infections.  P53 has a full schedule.  There are major problems when p53 isn't working.

     Mutations are pushed into action in the absence of p53.  Cancers proliferate.  Cancer cells can spread through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.

     This tumor suppressor is a very popular research topic.  P53 related cancers are difficult to treat. Chemotherapy uses chemical agents to stop cancer cells from growing. Chemotherapy won't destroy them.  Immunotherapy uses the power of the body’s own immune system to prevent, control, and eliminate cancer.  Immunotherapy won't destroy them. (cancer.org)

     MDM2 is a regulatory protein that binds inactive p53. MDM2 is a transcriptional target. p53 binds the first intron of the MDM2 gene to transcriptionally induce the expression of MDM2. This is an auto-regulatory negative feedback loop with MDM2.  When cellular stress is present, MDM2 releases p53.  The tumor suppressor places the nucleus under siege.

     The tetramer binds the required DNA sequences. P53 is a phosphoprotein.  It is 393 amino acids.  Each domain has a job.  It can either: activate transcription,  find the recognizable sequences, start protein tetramerization, or sort the damaged base pairs.  (nature.com)

     P53 could pause cell division.  Repair insues.  Cell death can take place, also.  50% of all human tumors contain p53 mutants.  Mutant p53 proteins not only lose their tumor suppressive activities but often gain additional oncogenic functions that endow cells with growth and survival advantages.

     Unchecked cells give rise to tumor growth.  TP53 gene mutation leads to misfolded proteins.  An overpopulated presence of MDM2 deactivates p53.

     Research is finding ways to overcome, though.  There are therapies that reactivate p53.  There are drugs looking to take part in the war on cancer.  

     Chemotherapy added to immunotherapy makes up combination therapy.  This is powerful.  It's not a permanent solution, yet.

     P53 is a tumor suppressor.  

          "A tumor suppressor gene directs the production of a protein that is part of the system that regulates cell division. The tumor suppressor protein plays a role in keeping cell division in check." (Genome)

Thursday, February 10, 2022

Bitcoin Outlook 2022


          "On 3 January 2009, the Bitcoin network came into existence with Satoshi Nakamoto mining the genesis block of bitcoin (block number 0), which had a reward of 50 bitcoins. Embedded in the coinbase of this block was the text: The Times Jan/03/2009 Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks." (wikipedia)


     Bitcoin prices are tempting to assess.  Cryptocurrency is a volatile investment.  

     Quad-annually, “the halving,” where the supply of new crypto coins rewarded to miners gets cut in half, is up for debate.  Thus far, this has occurred in 2012, 2016,  and 2020.  In comparison to stock investment peaks and troughs, now is the time to invest.

     Blockchain led us into the cryptocurrency generation.  Bitcoin started off at $0.  Now, moving into 2022, Bitcoin is worth $41,730.60.  

     There's a new demand for old coins.  

     There's an overwhelmingly positive performance of Bitcoin.  It's an amazing currency, and a great purchase. We know this rollercoaster ride won't last.  It's not over, yet.

     Why is Bitcoin so outstanding?

     Trading Bitcoin is easy. Liquidity. Bitcoin is a priority for lots of advanced platforms.  Exchanges are making room for BTC.  Online brokerages are at attention.  Cash conversion transactions are quick.  Currency transfers are available. Profitability + liquidity.  Market demand has them in the short term and long term brackets to outrun the competition.

     Inflation is upon us.  Cryptocurrency is close to achieving herd immunity from inflation. BTC has a low risk of inflation. BTC is currently going through government scrutiny.  Governments will produce there own versions.  The blockchain system expands infinitely.

     Bitcoin provides investors with new opportunity.  The entire cryptocurrency outlook hasn't been among us that long.  Patterns are completely evolving.  New coins are becoming mainstream, daily.  All of the volatility involved constructs a pathway for huge gains.

     Trading is excessively convenient.  The term is minimalistic trading.  Unlike stock trading, no license or certificate is required.  It is convenient to enable buying and selling, on a whim.  The trade is instant.  Stock trades take days.


          "30% of small business merchants in the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Singapore and Brazil plan to offer customers the option to pay using cryptocurrency in the coming months. Digital currencies have taken off in each of those jurisdictions.  19% of small businesses in the United States, and 8% in Canada expect to offer cryptocurrency as a payment option in 2022." (Reuters)


     United States cryptocurrency regulations are on the horizon.  These regulations, once imposed, should strengthen the ecosystem and boost investor confidence. As of February 2022, the U.S. President administration has been preparing an executive order concerning cryptocurrencies.  The Feds wish to upskill agencies and departments with a coordinated policy response.  There is an accent on maintaining U.S. global leadership.  The Feds are raising the digital currency, CBDC, Central Bank Digital Currency.

     Bitcoin is decentralized.  Anonymous transactions. CBDC is controlled by a central bank.  The central bank will have a record of users and their transactions.


          "It is a good time to look for some opportunities, some of which are trading at a substantial discount to where they were just a few weeks ago." (nasdaq)


     Crypto: BTC, "Bitcoin is an innovative payment network and a new kind of money." (bitcoin.org)

     Volatility vaporization.  The outlook on Bitcoin investments for 2022 is nice.

Thursday, January 6, 2022

Blog Jokes

Genius Teenager:  

"I failed my biology test. I mislabeled every body part but one."


Genius Dad:  

"At least your heart was in the right place."