Fascia Congress 2009 - early notice

Informational flyer for the 2009 Congress

Photos (by Robert Schleip) show:

Myself with Peter Huijing PhD and Peter Hollander PhD, who are scientific director and administrative directors, respectively, of the 2nd International Fascia Congress.

The main auditorium at the Free University, Amsterdam
















































This is an early notice of the 2nd International Fascia Research Congress to be held in Amsterdam (Free University) October 27-30 2009.
Details, registration etc will be available on www.fasciacongress.org within a few weeks when the official site is up and running.

Presenters include:
Scientific sessions
Al Banes Ph.D.
Tom Findley M.D. Ph.D.
Willem Fourie PT
Walter Herzog Ph.D.
Paul Hodges Ph.D.
Yasuo Kawakami Ph.D.
Mick Kreulen M.D. Ph.D.
Richard Nichols Ph.D.
Peter Purslow Ph.D.
Jaap van der Wal M.D. Ph.D.
Can Yucesoy Ph.D.

Clinician-scientist sessions
Zachary Comeaux D.O.
Jan Dommerholt Ph.D. P.T.
Geoffrey Bove, D.C., Ph.D.
Leon Chaitow N.D. D.O.
Irene Piët PT
Robert Schleip Ph.D

Topics will cover recent basic and applied research and reviews in soft connective tissue sciences at all levels:
Molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, compartment, and limb or trunk and whole body; and in all
disciplines: e.g. molecular biology, cytology, histology, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, biomechanics, neurology, surgery etc..

The conference will also include free oral and poster presentations of peer reviewed research. In addition special panels and presentations will also address the research interests of clinical practioners in acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, neuromuscular therapies, osteopathy, physiatry, physical therapy, structural bodywork and surgery.
Special sessions will be held consisting of podium presentations, as well as demonstrations, aimed at bringing clinicians of the manual therapies and basis scientist together to enhance common research interests and communication.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
Space is limited, Register early.
This conference will attract a diverse group of research scientist, students and clinical specialists. A capacity attendance is expected.

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Pleomorphism - a truly revolutionary concept

Images are of the great French microbiologist and rival of Pasteur, Antoine Bechamp; the 'microscope' developed by Rife and a slide of the ‘CD form’ of B. licheniformis which superficially appears to be a fungus, but under the scanning electron microscope is seen to be made up of bacterial rods (the bar represents 0.5 mm), from a paper by Wainright (see reference: Highly pleomorphic staphylococci as a cause of cancer)


The topic of pleomorphism may seem technical but in essence it is very very simple.
Imagine that the bacteria that teem in and around us can vary their form, presentation, and behaviour, depending on the environment in which they find themselves.
In essence this describes the ability of microbes to alter their form - as they progress from microscopic particles to bacteria and eventually fungi.
Is this fanciful and even possible?
Well it seems that there is abundant evidence that this concept - first proposed by Antoine Bechamp, ( 1816 - 1908) a contemporary and rival of Pasteur, is in fact valid.
German microbiologist Gunther Enderlein (1872-1968) carried on Bechamp's work. Read more about his extraordinary work on the Symbiotic Health site.
To see a video clip (German commentary) relating to Enderlein's work, click on these words.

I will not attempt to offer fuller explanations for pleomorphism in this posting, but instead I suggest visits to various sites that already do this more than adequately, some of which offer you video evidence as a bonus!

To subscribe to a journal that investigates these and other phenomena not usually discussed in peer-review journals, look at the EXPLORE website. For an excellent overview of difference between bacterial phase and fungal phase developments in blood pictures, the paper by Michael Coyle offers a fluent explanation - as well as some excellent images.


To watch a fairly drawn out - but eventually riveting - clip, showing The Biological Transformation of a Rod Bacteria click on the highlighted words. The segment from approximately 1minute 7 seconds to 1 minute 40 seconds, shows a rod bacteria changing form in real time before your eyes.
On this same site there are video clips (lengthy - 40 minutes+) - of lectures by Dr Alan Cantwell.
A visit to his website offers numerous articles on these themes - including his theories and evidence of links to AIDS and cancer.

To visit a site that markets DVDs relating to the extraordinary man who first filmed the phenomenon, early in the 20th Century, click on the highlighted title: The Forgotten Story of Royal Raymond Rife.
A 10 minute documentary video on the work of Rife is also available.
If you're interested in these topics note that the first European Rife Congress will be held in Munich Germany, June 28-29, 2008. For an English brochure go to the conference website.

Go to this site to see pleomorphism, and the technology involved in fliming it, and watch the videos put together by Grayfield Optical (particularly Symbiosis and Parasitism).
These makers of the Ergonom 500 microscope show living viruses (endbionts) in action, transforming into bacteria and fungal forms.

To understand something of the medical politics of the 20th century, and how many of the proponents of ideas that were counter to mainstream thought, were attacked and destroyed, go to a site that lists many articles on the work of Dr. Wilhelm Reich.

From a naturopathic perspective the work of Bechamp, and others listed above, points to a clear message:
The soil, the environment, the milieu (the physical or social setting in which something occurs or develops), determines the likelihood of health and disease.....not the participating microorganism.

Simplistically - blaming the stench of an overflowing rubbish pile on the accompanying bugs, flies etc (and spraying these with insect killing chemicals) is unlikely to restore fragrance. Clearing the garbage would have a greater effect!

Happy surfing...........

PS: For a more or less current UK view, discussing the topic, try to get hold of these papers:

Milton Wainwright, Abdullah Al Talih 2003 Is this the historical ‘cancer germ’?
Medical Hypotheses, Volume 60, Issue 2,Pages 290-292
ABSTRACT
A highly pleomorphic bacterium, isolated from a canine mammary tumour was found to share many characteristics with recently described cancer-related bacteria and with the Glover organism, a historically important ‘cancer germ’. We suggest that both the Glover organism, and possibly other cancer-related bacteria, are likely to be a strain of the highly pleomorphic bacterium, Bacillus licheniformis.

M. Wainwright 2000 Highly pleomorphic staphylococci as a cause of cancer
Medical Hypotheses, Volume 54, Issue 1, January 2000, Pages 91-94
ABSTRACT:
An extensive historical literature exists suggesting that bacteria and other non-virus microorganisms cause cancer. Much of this literature stresses the likely involvement of highly pleomorphic bacteria in carcinogenesis. Pleomorphic bacteria exhibit a variety of morphological types, some of which are identical to other bacteria. In particular, bacteria that can express more than one morphology, including that normally associated with common species of Staphylococcus, have frequently been isolated from cancers. Not surprisingly, this has led to considerable confusion and ridicule. The literature linking highly pleomorphic bacteria with carcinogenesis is presented here in an attempt to add weight to the view that bacteria, notably those expressing the morphology of common species of staphylococci, cause cancer.

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The real secrets of longevity

Henry Allingham at 112, and the flypast in his honour.




First World War veteran, Henry Allingham, was 112 last week, on the 6th of June.

The first modern Olympics were hosted by Athens, Puccini's La Bohème premiered in Turin and Queen Victoria became the longest reigning monarch in British history. The year was 1896 and in a corner of north-east London an ironmonger's wife gave birth to a boy, Henry.

One hundred and twelve years later, Henry William Allingham is in rude health as the oldest man in Europe.
Henry is the last surviving original member of the Royal Air Force - formed 90 years ago and on his birthday the First World War veteran watched a fly-past in his honour of vintage aircraft, including a Lancaster bomber, Spitfire and Hurricane.

His responses to the usual question as to why he has lived so long, were reported variously.
For example the BBC reported him as saying: "I don't think there's a particular reason.
"The only thing I can say is all my life I have lived within my limitations, take life slowly, don't get any stress or strains."

Despite a report from his grandson that "his favourite tipple is a cup of tea with one sugar every morning", Henry has also joked that the secret to his longevity is "cigarettes, whisky and wild women".
Henry and his wife had two daughters. She passed away in 1970, in her early seventies.

Synchronistically, two of the leading researchers into longevity recently circulated a research report into this topic. Natalia Gavrilova and Leonid A. Gavrilov, of the Center on Aging, the University of Chicago have spent years studying this topic, and their most recent findings are fascinating.
These were presented on January 7-9, 2008, at the Living to 100 and Beyond Symposium Orlando, Florida, under the title : Physical and Socioeconomic Characteristics at Young Age as Predictors of Survival to 100: A Study of a New Historical Data Resource (U.S. WWI Draft Cards) (Copyright 2008 by the Society of Actuaries)

It is arguable that their findings carry more weight than the various possibilities put forth by Henry Allingham, despite his clear evidence of survival?
In earlier studies Gavrilova and Gavrilov (2005, 2007) developed methodologies of using online genealogical, historical and demographic data resources, and demonstrated the feasibility of large-scale studies on predictors of human longevity. This yielded preliminary findings on several hypotheses on the determinants of survival to advanced ages. They also used U.S. WWI Civilian Draft Registration Cards for their rich content in terms of predictor variables.

So, what were the findings?

• Study of height and build among men born in 1887 suggests that obesity at young adult age (30 years) is harmful for attaining exceptional longevity, while body height is a far less important predictor of exceptional longevity.

• However "contrary to expectations based on life extension of calorically restricted animals, a “slender” body build does not improve chances of survival to 100 years"

• Farming has a positive effect on survival to age 100. No other occupational groups had a significant effect on attaining longevity. The researchers note that :"children raised on farms (boys in particular) had higher chances to become centenarians"

• Being married by age 30 had no statistically significant effect on survival to age 100, however the number of children (4+) at age 30 demonstrated a positive effect on chances of exceptional longevity.

• They report that "a large initial number of children, born by age 30, increases man’s chances to attain exceptional longevity by a factor 2.6 – 2.7" They hypothesise that "high fertility at young age may be a marker of man’s overall good health"

So now you know.

On the other hand, Henry Allingham (who was born in London, not on a farm) might have it right....a cup of tea in the morning, and just possibly "cigarettes, whisky and wild-women" ?

References:

• Gavrilova, N.S., and Gavrilov, L.A. 2005. “Human Longevity and Reproduction: An Evolutionary Perspective.” Grandmotherhood—The Evolutionary Significance of the Second Half of Female Life, pp. 59-80. E. Voland, A. Chasiotis and W. Schiefenhoevel. Piscataway, NJ: Rutgers University Press.
• Gavrilova, N.S., and Gavrilov, L.A.2005. “Search for Predictors of Exceptional Human Longevity: Using Computerized Genealogies and Internet Resources for Human Longevity Studies. Living to 100 and Beyond. Monograph. Schaumburg, IL: Society of Actuaries.
• Gavrilova, N.S., and Gavrilov, L.A. 2007. "Search for Predictors of Exceptional Human Longevity: Using Computerized Genealogies and Internet Resources for Human Longevity Studies." North American Actuarial Journal 11(1): 49-67.
  

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