Consumption and happiness I shop therefore I am

Status: 13.06.2021 10:26 a.m.

Business is up again. For many people, the lockdown was like withdrawal, because shopping can trigger feelings of happiness like drugs. But is less maybe more – and does it even make it happier? By Ilyas Mec and Sandra Scheuring, MR According to the Federal Statistical Office, an average household in Europe has around 10,000 things. 100 years ago, the average German household had 180 things. It is estimated that almost three million people in this country live in a household with three cars or more. There are two million old cell phones in drawers. This list could go on: TVs, clothing, decorative items, household items are constantly increasing and far exceed the number of things that we really need. Obviously, ruffling is an instinct that was created in human evolution. Owning things reliably ensured survival. Buying triggers a feeling of elation, at least in the short term. It can even turn into a real addiction, shopping addiction. Those who consume are also looking for confirmation, wanting to belong – it’s about keeping up, but also about demarcation and the expression of individuality. Buyers are often at the mercy of their instincts. Two thirds of all purchase decisions are made spontaneously in the store, as so-called impulse purchases.

06/11/2021

The tea light phenomenon

Marketing strategists and advertising professionals use these behaviors to encourage people to buy. A walk through an Ikea branch shows how perfected the craft of seduction can be. It seems impossible not to buy anything. A pillow here, a carafe there, and finally tealights. We use them spontaneously, even if we have had such products at home for a long time. Why? “It can be a purely functional need on the one hand, but also an emotional one on the other hand: I want it to be more comfortable, I just want it to be nicer,” says Janet Wittmaack, deputy branch manager of Ikea in Frankfurt. The psychologist Jens Förster points out the disadvantage: the kick when shopping is always gone very quickly. “If you really want to spend money, adventure goods are a good choice, things like traveling,” says Förster. The memory remains, “and that makes you happier in the long term”.

05/18/2021

Consumer trend minimalism

An entire industry is now propagating the opposite. Because owning a lot is no longer so en vogue today. Owning little, but having the right thing for it, is a megatrend. The Japanese bestselling author Marie Kondo, for example, who is also known as the “Queen of Minimalism”, sells items for a minimalist life in her online shop. Otherwise she writes guidebooks on how to make tidying up and sorting out happy. Birgit Blättel-Mink is a professor of sociology at the Goethe University in Frankfurt and conducts research on consumer issues, among other things. Instead of abstaining from consumption, there is often just a shift in consumption, she believes: “If someone says I do without clothes, I don’t really need that much – then we often observe something like a so-called rebound effect. So I save here. I can for that I can afford more on another side. ” In such cases, it may not be a matter of profound change or more sustainability, but rather a “subjectively good conscience”. Then there are only three very expensive shirts instead of ten cheaper ones. You have to be able to afford minimalism as celebrated on Instagram and Co.

05/10/2021

Consumption is the work of others

Consumption is a prerequisite for our economy to run. If everyone renounces consumption, it would be a disaster, says Adalbert Winkler, economist at the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management. He is researching the consequences of the corona lockdown. “Those who offered goods and services had no income, and if the state hadn’t helped with transfer payments, then this drop in income would have meant that these people would not have been able to consume either, which in turn would have affected everyone else,” says Winkler . “We would have gotten into a dramatic recession.” In a nutshell, this means that if everyone lives ascetically, there is a risk of economic ruin. It is relatively easy to promote abstinence if your own income is not burdened. So what now? Living in a very spartan way and doing without consumption does not seem to be a solution either. Just as minimalist, elitist buying behavior is not an option for society at large. For most people, thinking about how you consume cannot be wrong. This includes the insight that the happiness rush when shopping is only short-term. And many things can quickly become a burden – when the basement is full and you have to ask yourself: where do you put all that stuff?

The US spent more than 1 billion USD on drugs to treat COVID-19 (Artwork). The oral antiviral drug Molnupiravir, which prevents the development of COVID-19 disease, is used to treat the early stages of the disease. The current trial regimen is 2 doses per day for 5 days. According to Dr. John Whyte – medical director of Merck & Co Inc. Laboratories, the US needs therapeutic drugs to be ready for the new wave of COVID-19. “This is a Tamiflu-like drug that we use to treat the flu,” said Dr John Whyte. Now we still have to do some research to make sure this drug is effective for treating COVID-19. But this is a correct strategy to prepare for new waves of COVID-19 to emerge.” Merck & Co Inc expects to produce more than 10 million courses of Molnupiravir by the end of the year and said many other countries are in discussions with the company about pre-ordering Molnupiravir. Data on the global trial of molnupiravir is expected to be released next fall. If successful, Merck & Co Inc will apply for an emergency use license as early as the second half of this year.

18-year-old youth growing marijuana to soak alcohol: On June 8, the Bac Kan City Police Task Force discovered 13 cannabis plants, with a height of 80 to 120 cm, planted in an open field near Trieu’s house. Dinh Dung. At the police station, Dung said that because he wanted to soak alcohol, he ordered cannabis seeds on social networks to grow and take care of. The police made a record of the incident and confiscated all the cannabis plants. Foreigners growing cannabis on the Red River bank: On June 5, the police of Ngoc Thuy ward (Long Bien district, Hanoi) identified Tiberghien Frederec (SN 1966, French nationality, temporarily residing in Yen Bai). commit violations, grow cannabis plants and illegally store narcotics (dry cannabis) in the middle of the Red River. The inspection seized 115 fresh cannabis plants with a weight of 34kg and 40,268g of dried cannabis. Growing cannabis on the roof: On May 13, the Ha Dong District Police (Hanoi) made a report and confiscated many cannabis plants planted by Le Dinh Tuan (23 years old, residing in Ha Dong) on ​​his balcony. roof. At the time of inspection, there were 26 cannabis plants, 30 to 40cm tall, planted in small pots. Tuan claimed to grow this cannabis from March 2021 to soak alcohol. Planting hundreds of cannabis plants to feed the chickens: On April 28, a working group of the Krong Nang District Police, Dak Lak discovered in the garden of Mr. Mai Nam’s house (born in 1968, residing in Quyet Tam village, Ea Tan commune) grows 275 fresh cannabis plants, about 15-25cm in height and 54 dried cannabis stumps. Mr. Nam said, while traveling in a passenger car, a stranger gave cannabis seeds to plant to cure diseases of poultry. Growing cannabis to drink to prevent insomnia: On April 28, the police of Hoi An city, Quang Nam province checked a house in Cam Ha commune, Hoi An city led by Nguyen Thi V. (SN 1983, resident in Ha city). Noi) and her husband rented to live. Through the tally, there were 17 cannabis plants. V. confessed that while living here, she often suffered from insomnia, so she researched online to buy cannabis seeds to plant, then used to drink to treat insomnia. A Canadian man planted nearly 500 cannabis plants at his wife’s house: On April 7, the police of Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan province administratively inspected the house of Mrs. Hoang My Hanh (31 years old, Thien Son hamlet, Thien Nghiep commune). Currently, her husband, Mr. Glen Jeffrey Evans (54 years old, Canadian nationality) grows cannabis on the property. Through the tally, there were 476 cannabis plants, the tallest about 2m, the lowest about 20cm. Mr. Glen Jeffrey Evans claimed to grow the above cannabis for the purpose of “treatment”. Growing cannabis to… soak alcohol and raise fighting cocks: On April 13, Ngoc Lam Border Guard Station discovered that the object of Bui Van Dai’s home garden (30 years old, residing in Phuc Thang commune, Nghia Hung district, Nam Dinh) was illegally planted. 18 cannabis plants. Through the struggle to exploit Bui Van Dai, the Ngoc Lam Border Guard station discovered two other subjects who also planted a total of 24 cannabis plants in their home garden. The subjects cultivated cannabis to soak in alcohol and raise game chickens. Planting hundreds of cannabis plants, feeding chickens to fight diseases: On March 3, the police of Ea Tan commune (Krong Nang district, Dak Lak province) checked and discovered in the coffee garden of Mrs. Vo Thi Nga’s family (44). age, living in Ea Tan commune) has grown a large number of cannabis plants. There are a total of 375 cannabis plants, ranging in height from 30cm to 1.6m. Nga declares that the plant is planted to feed chickens and prevent disease. Growing thousands of square meters of cannabis plants to raise pigs: On December 24, 2020, the police of Dak G’long district, Dak Nong district checked and caught Tran The Dai and Pham Van Son in the act of growing and tending. squirrel illegal cannabis plants in the upland area of ​​Quang Son commune. Police discovered 1,263 cannabis plants, grown on an area of ​​nearly 1,000 square meters, in the swidden area and 215 young cannabis plants being nursed in plastic bags and a number of related items. The subjects admitted, the purpose was to “serve the treatment of livestock diseases, feed pigs and chickens to grow quickly”…. Watch more videos: An Giang: Detecting households growing illegal cannabis plants. Source: Dong Thap Television Station.

A case of skin pigmentation disorder caused by using whitening cream, melasma treatment (photo illustration) Nguyen Thu Trang (37 years old) went to the hospital because all the skin on her cheeks was blackened. She said that when she was young, she also had a few cheeks on her cheeks, but in the last few years, especially since her second child, the freckles on her cheeks have increased. “Some rapid blemishes have spread and tend to become spots. I am very worried, so I use “special treatment” cosmetics that have not improved yet. Many experienced people said that I have a hormonal disorder, leading to melasma, freckles. Someone tells me to take hormonal drugs (birth control pills) that can improve melasma, “said Trang. Obediently, she also bought a daily pack of oral contraceptives to try for a month, but the freckles were still thicker and thicker. Not to mention that taking oral contraceptives also made her periods go wrong. Afraid she would go to the hospital for examination Talk to reporters Infonet, Colonel, BSCK II, major in dermatology Nguyen Xuan Except, said melasma is a benign hyperpigmentation disease with a complex pathogenesis mechanism. One of them is the influence of endocrine factors. However, taking hormonal drugs to treat melasma is not recommended by doctors. “Even in a few cases hormonal drugs (birth control pills, hormone replacement …) are the cause of melasma onset or aggravation”, said doctor Nguyen Xuan Except. More ominously, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Tien, Director of the National Fertility Center once emphasized that using any hormonal drug into the body, including birth control pills, must screen for all cancers. breast cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, .. Incorrect use of hormone supplements increases the likelihood of cancer. Therefore, dermatologists recommend that women do not mistakenly think that taking hormones to treat melasma. Because that’s not exactly, it’s not safe. If you want to take medicine to treat melasma, you should take drugs with ingredients such as: vitamin C, Glutathion, vitamin PP, L-cystin, Explaining this, BSCK II Nguyen Xuan Except said, melasma due to many reasons, can be divided into two groups of major causes: endogenous causes and exogenous causes. Endogenous causes include familial, endocrine factors (puberty, pregnancy and lactation, menopause, thyroid disease, uterus – ovary …) or simply aging. skin chemistry over time and a number of other causes. The leading exogenous cause is due to the UV rays present in sunlight, followed by the overuse of cosmetics of unknown origin, peeling creams, whitening creams, and creams containing corticosteroids. In addition, the polluted environment also significantly affects the skin pigmentation. “To treat melasma safely and effectively, it is necessary to have the examination and consultation of a qualified doctor. At the same time, each person must have a basic skin care process: cleansing – moisturizing – sun protection, especially sun protection in order to improve and maintain treatment results “, Dr. Xuan Except emphasized . According to him, the self-treatment of skin pigmentation by taking hormonal drugs or applying alcohol, betel leaves … by word of mouth is not only ineffective but also has very serious consequences. . Accordingly, women may have to face consequences such as endocrine disorders, pigmentation disorders, darkening of the skin, secondary pigmentation, loss of pigmentation, skin abrasion … These are all extremely disease aspects. difficult to treat. “For example, the application / covering of betel leaves is not communicated by many people, even shared on social networks such as facebook, tiktok … because betel leaves do not contain hydroquinone – a compound that has been Scientifically proven to be effective in treating melasma. However, this compound must be formulated and extracted in the form of a safe and effective pharmaceutical or cosmetic product, but cannot be used in “raw” form, leading to darkening of the skin, pigmentation disorder “. Dr. Xuan Except said. The doctor colonel said, he had encountered countless cases of wrong treatment of melasma. These are the cases of using acid, tattooing skin color on the melasma, burning with CO2 laser, applying / applying alcohol, betel leaves, applying bleaching cream, using cosmetics containing oral contrast or sugar. smear … These actions all leave very unfortunate consequences. The remedial treatment takes time, effort and money, and cannot even return the original skin. Notably, during the epidemic season, the examination is limited, so many women look for ways to cure melasma … However, with personal experience, Dr. Xuan Except said that the information reference in journals Prestige, doctors, experts are essential. Women absolutely do not apply any form of treatment on their face without consulting a specialist. When possible, women should go to reputable facilities to be examined by doctors, skin exams and counseling to make the regimen and therapy most suitable for their skin. Along with that, it is recommended to maintain daily skin care routine including cleansing, moisturizing and sunscreen while combining with a healthy lifestyle of eating and exercising, reducing stress and staying up late.

Tests with neutrobots have been performed quite successfully in mice. It can use intelligent biological camouflage and overcome difficult barriers to get closer to the source of the disease in the body and offer the best treatment. The Preeminence of New Micro Robots Microbots are nothing new, it’s like disguising robots into bacteria or using magnets to move them across blood vessels. But what sets Chinese scientists’ new micro-robot designs apart from the crowd is that it can overcome one of the body’s toughest biological barriers, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) ​​- a single layer. extremely high selectivity protection. Designed to stop pathogens and allow only nutrients to penetrate, BBB is the challenge of micro-robots that the body often considers an outside invader. It is very difficult for micro robots to cross this last line of defense and get closer to the hidden tumors behind it. One author of the above study is Professor Zhiguang Wu at Harbin Institute of Technology specializing in nanotechnology. The new micro-robots, he said, can overcome obstacles that hamper many conventional medical treatments. According to Professor Wu, “the passive diffusion of conventional drugs is subjected to a long, ineffective period of time and blocks biological barriers, which can lead to strong side effects. Meanwhile, the new swimming micro-robot / nano-robot, can move into hard-to-reach tissues using their propulsion, load different drugs and actively swim to diseased sites to transporting drugs ”. This is very important because when it comes to fighting cancer because the more targeted the treatment the better. It is especially true when it comes to brain tumors. Because the tumor is in a difficult position in the brain and BBB’s strong protection, drug treatment can be difficult, and removing the tumor requires brain surgery. Even then, usually only 90% of the tumor can actually be removed. In the past, micro robots were inspired by the way a bacteria or sperm move through the body. All light, acoustics and magnetic fields are used to propel them along the host’s body. Through it, a variety of biomedical tasks can be performed, including cutting the membrane, retaining the distributed drug in the gastrointestinal tract, and distributing the drug through the eye dropper. However, even though the researchers control the motion of these micro-robots more than typical drugs in the body, most micro-robotic designs still face one major hurdle: the body’s immune system, especially BBB. To fool BBB’s defense systems, scientists have designed a new micro-robot that is biologically camouflaged to “sneak through” the fence without being detected. The neutrobots are disguised and introduced into the bloodstream. How does the new micro robot work? The use of self-propelled, drug-dispensing micro-robots could open the door for scientists to get closer and more individual-based access to tumor treatment than oral or given medication. permission before. To treat glioma, a type of brain cancer, in mice, Professor Wu and colleagues have designed neutrobot-based micro-robots that can be controlled with a magnetic field. First, they created nanoparticles from a gel embedded with magnetic iron oxide particles, and the popular cancer drug paclitaxel. Next, these nanoparticles were encased in a disguised E. coli bacterial membrane. Disguised as harmful bacteria, these nanoparticles are submerged by in vitro mouse neutrophils much more easily than the bare nanoparticles that are not camouflaged. The researchers found that the camouflage also prevented drug leakage and made these particles less toxic to neutrophils. The research team tested the neutrobots’ ability to navigate and deliver drugs in vitro. Under the control of a rotating magnetic field, the neutrobots reach a speed of 16.4 µm / second – about 50 times faster than the natural neutrophil. By tracking the neutrobots under the microscope, the scientists can let them travel in complex directions on the artificial substrate. In their trials, the team showed that their neutrobots were able to successfully penetrate mouse BBBs to bring the drug into brain tumors. Despite these successes, scientists still have many things to do before they can be applied to humans. One issue that needs to be fixed, the authors explain, is how to better track each neutrobot as they pass through the body. Right now magnetic resonance imaging can track neutrobot groups as they move but cannot track individuals. “Our research has verified that treatment with neutrobots can prolong survival in mice with gliomas. Therefore, it may not be too long to bring stories about micro-robots in science fiction to reality, ”said Professor Wu.

The liver and kidney are two organs that excrete drugs, some drugs are eliminated mainly through the liver, others are eliminated mainly by the kidneys. Therefore, when kidney disease, kidney function is impaired, the use of drugs in people with kidney disease has 3 risks, that is, nephrotoxic drugs that decrease kidney function worse.

Second, the drug is eliminated slowly and will accumulate in the body, causing an increased effect.

Third, causing homeostasis due to renal failure, thereby susceptible to drug toxicity even at the appropriate dose.

Some drugs are toxic to the kidneys

With a healthy kidney, when suffering from a certain disease, drugs must be used, the kidneys will be cleaned normally, but for people with kidney disease, especially kidney failure (all kidney functions have been impaired) when Taking certain medications puts you at risk of further kidney damage.

Some drugs can be toxic to the kidneys, especially long-term use, high doses and especially self-medicating for self-healing not under the prescription of the doctor. For example, some antibiotics of the amynoglycoside group (streptomycin, gentamycin, amikacin …), quinolone group (ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin …), vancomycin group, cyclin group, cephalosporin group 1, 2 or antifungal (amphotericin B, ketoconazole …) or Vietnamese, Oriental medicine of unknown origin; Contrast drug used for X-ray with high permeability or some cancer treatment chemicals (cisplatin, methotrexate …).

People with kidney damage should pay attention when using the drug.

In addition, some drugs are not directly toxic to the kidneys but cause kidney anemia, reducing glomerular filtration rate or if used long term will cause renal entity failure. For example, antihypertensive drugs, when used in overdose cause hypotension cause renal anemia and impaired glomerular filtration, especially the class of ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (indomethacin, diclofenac …), inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis are factors that cause vasodilation leading to kidney anemia.

Note when using drugs in people with kidney problems

We all know, drugs (Western medicine or Vietnamese medicine, Oriental medicine) all have a curative effect and all drugs that are put into the body pass through the kidneys and are filtered here. Therefore, when suffering from kidney disease, especially kidney failure, it is very important to check the function of the kidneys (that is, follow the test order of the doctor) before using the drug to know and know. the exact state of kidney disease, glomerular filtration rate and kidney function must be checked during drug use, especially when taking long-term medication.

Comply with the instructions and instructions when taking drugs of the doctor to avoid adversely affecting the kidneys.

Do not buy, take drugs by yourself or do not change the dosage by yourself or change the drug without consulting your doctor to avoid harming the kidneys due to improper use of the drug.

In addition, drink enough water every day to facilitate drug purification (there are drugs when used need to drink a lot of water to help the kidneys purify drugs better).