Maintaining the pH in Its Normal Levels Prevents the Growth of Research Paper

Maintaining the pH in Its Normal Levels Prevents the Growth of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus - Research Paper Example Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), just like other S. aureus strains avoids such immune response through catalase, which efficiently breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. This activity of the catalase in the escape of the host’s immune reaction has been shown in a murine animal model (Das and Bishayi, 2009). What was not mentioned in the primary reference is that what is so distinct about MRSA is the fact that the bacteria cannot be killed by the most common antibiotics, penicillin and cephalosporin groups, characterized by their beta-lactam ring. Briefly, these antibiotics prevent the production of the bacteria’s peptidoglycan-rich cell wall by inhibiting transpeptidation. MRSA contains beta-lactamases that bind to beta-lactams, and render these bactericides inactive (Agrawal, n. d.). Effectiveness of alkaline solution against MRSA infection It has been proposed by Shannon Brown (2010), in his article, â€Å"End of MRSA-How?†, prevention of M RSA infection simply involves avoiding acidic food products and stress, which increases the acid in the digestive tract. According to Brown, the acidic environment allows the normal flora of the gut to die and the acidophilic MRSA to thrive. The solution to a potential MRSA infection is said to lie on increasing the pH of the environment to which it is exposed to. Despite the seemingly simple solution to the problem of MRSA infection, prevention still poses a great challenge as the current food products available in the market are cultivated using acidic fertilizers and pesticides. Many people also enjoy drinking coffee, tea, wine and alcohol, all of which make the gut more acidic. As such, the article suggests that alkaline solutions can prevent uncontrolled MRSA growth in the body. Specifically, taking in pHenomenal, an alkaline water concentrate, as food supplement is said to potentially increase the pH of the digestive tract, and to subsequently prevent MRSA infection. Such acti vity has been shown through an in vitro pH neutralization test, whereby lactic acid was neutralized by pHenomenal at approximately 1:22 acid-to-pHenomenal ratio. Another alkaline product suggested to prevent MRSA infection is B-pHree, which can be applied on the skin, where MRSA normally resides. In an antibacterial efficacy assay done on this substance, it was found that it effectively inhibited the growth (100% growth reduction) of Staphylococcus aureus inoculated in Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA) incubated for 24 hours. Despite the promise of MRSA prevention and the availability of prophylactic measures, there are potential problems regarding the claims of preventing bacterial infection by increasing the pH in the gut. Literature review Normally, the stomach is highly acidic, with pH of approximately 2. This acidity is a strategy to control the activity of pepsin, which catalyzes the breakdown of proteins into organic compounds that can be used by the body in its various physiologic proc esses. In addition, the highly acidic environment of the stomach prevents the growth of most pathogens that cannot thrive in such extreme conditions. In fact, it has been shown by Suzuki (1994) that the low pH of gastric pH is directly related to decreased amounts of pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus and MRSA in the gut. In addition, it was found that cancer patients before and after operation, who have high levels of gastric pH are more likely to have Staphylococcus and MRSA in the gut. Although the in vitro experiments have both supported

Effects of coffee Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Effects of coffee - Essay Example Coffee contains caffeine which is considered a Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulant (Lovett 2005). Accordingly, â€Å"caffeine is the worlds most widely consumed psychoactive substance†. Balentine, Harbowy & Graham (1998) stipulated that â€Å"many natural sources of caffeine also contain widely varying mixtures of other xanthine alkaloids, including the cardiac stimulants theophylline and theobromine and other substances such as polyphenols which can form insoluble complexes with caffeine†. In the Science of Cooking, the article on caffeine exhibited its following properties, to wit: â€Å"soluble in ethyl acetate, chloroform, pyrimidine, pyrrole, tetrahydrofuran solution; moderately soluble in alcohol, acetone; slightly soluble in petroleum ether, ether, benzene†. In another study made specifically on Caffeine, it is found that â€Å"caffeine is metabolized in the liver by the cytochrome P450 oxidase enzyme system (specifically, the 1A2 isozyme) into three metabolic dimethylxanthines, which each have their own effects on the body: Theophylline (4%) Relaxes smooth muscles of the bronchi, and is used to treat asthma. The therapeutic dose of theophylline, however, is many times greater than the levels attained from caffeine metabolism.† (The Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics Knowledge Base) According to Bolton & Null (1981), the â€Å"precise amount of caffeine necessary to produce effects varies from person to person depending on body size and degree of tolerance to caffeine. It takes less than an hour for caffeine to begin affecting the body and a mild dose wears off in three to four hours. Consumption of caffeine does not eliminate the need for sleep: it only temporarily reduces the sensation of being tired. The International Coffee Organization presented that â€Å"of all the physiological effects of coffee, the best known is that it is a stimulant to the nervous system. One or two cups of

Crime and Punishment in Ancient Greece Essay Example for Free

Crime and Punishment in Ancient Greece Essay Today, criminals are punished for their crimes by going to jail or prison or being on probation. But what was it like in Ancient Greece? After the Dark Ages, about 1200-900 BC, the Ancient Greeks had no official laws or punishments. Murders were settled by the victims family killing the murderer, but this was difficult if they were elderly or female. This often began endless blood feuds. It was not until the seventh century BC that the Greeks began to establish laws. Around 620 BC, Draco wrote the first law for Greece. This law said that exile was the penalty for murder and was the only one of Dracos laws that Solon kept when he became law giver in 594 BC. Foreign slaves were often employed as police men and women in Ancient Greece. After somebody reported a crime, if somebody was arrested, an informant would receive half of fine charged to the criminal. In Athens, criminals were tried before a jury of 200 or more citizens picked at random. Going to prison was not an usual punishment for the people of Greece. In cases involving rape, theft, adultery, and murder, the accused got a written summons that told them when they had to appear before the magistrate. Athenian law was divided into two things, public and private action. Public actions included the entire community. Private actions included an individual. In cases of murder, the victims family was required to prosecute the killer. Even though magistrates were at the trial, they werent judges. They neither gave advice nor did they convict the felon. They just supervised the hearing. The jury in a trial was made up of 200-600 members over the age of thirty to make sure there was no risk or bribery. After the speeches had been delivered by the prosecution and the defense, the jurors voted without deliberation. In the 5th century BC, jurors cast their vote in secret. Each juror was provided with two tokens, one for conviction and the other for acquittal. The juror put one of these in a wooden urn whose tokens were disregarded, and the other in a bronze urn whose votes were counted. Judgement was passed on a majority verdict. In the 5th century B. C. , a tie meant an acquittal. In the following century, old-numbered juries were the norm and that is the custom today. In Ancient Rome the slaves had no rights at all. They were thought of and treated like merchandise. However, slaves did cost money to buy so many of the punishments did not inflict lasting damage. The lash was the most common punishment. When slaves were beaten, they were suspended with a weight tied to their feet, so they wouldnt be able to move them. Another punishment was to be branded in the forehead. An alternative punishment included the slave being forced to carry a piece of wood around their necks wherever they went. This was called furca; and whichever slave had had been punish with this was called furcifer all the time after that. Slaves were also, by way of punishment, often kept in a work-house, or house of correction, where they had to turn a mill for grinding corn. When punished for any capital offense, they were commonly crucified; but this was eventually prohibited under the rule of the Emperor Constantine. In Rome, the punishments for death are beheading, strangling in prison, throwing a criminal from the Tarpeian rock, crucifixion, burying a person alive, or throwing a criminal in the river (patricide). Throwing a criminal in the river was inflicted for killing your father. The criminal was immediately blindfolded as unworthy of the light, and in the next place the person were taken to the field of Mars outside Rome, stripped of everything then whipped with rods. He was then sewed up in a sack, and thrown into the sea. Later in time, to add to the punishment for patricide, a serpent was put in the sack; and still later, an ape, a dog and a cock. The sack which held the criminal was called Culeus, on which account the punishment itself is often signified by the same name. There are eight kinds of punishments, fine, fetters, flogging, retaliation of kind, civil disgrace, banishment, slavery, and death. Punishments in Ancient Rome were very harsh and violent and they are unlike the laws today.

Human Beings and Nature: The Scientific Revolution Essay -- Essays Pa

Human Beings and Nature: The Scientific Revolution The Scientific Revolution, perhaps one of the most significant examples of human beingsà ­ relationship with the natural world, changed the way seventeenth and eighteenth century society operated. The power of human knowledge has enabled intellectual, economical, and social advances seen in the modern world. The Scientific Revolution which included the development of scientific attitudes and skepticism of old views on nature and humanity was a slow process that spanned over a two century period. During the Scientific Revolution, scientific knowledge enabled humans to control nature in order to improve society. With leaders such as Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, Francis Bacon, Isaac Newton, and Rene Descartes, the Scientific Revolution proves to be a crucial piece to the puzzle of understanding the effects of humansà ­ interactions with the natural world. The changes produced during the Scientific Revolution were not rapid but developed slowly and in an experimental way. Although its effects were highly influential, the forerunners Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, Isaac Newton, Francis Bacon, and Rene Descartes only had a few hundred followers. Each pioneered unique ideas that challenged the current views of human beingsà ­ relationship with nature. With the backing of empirical observation and mathematical proof, these ideas slowly gained acceptance. As a result, the operation of society, along with prior grounds for faith were reconsidered. Their ideas promoted change and reform for humansà ­ well-being on earth. The Scientific Revolution was sparked through Nicolaus Copernicusà ­ unique use of mathematics. His methods developed from Greek astr... ...rn Heritage Brief Edition Volume II: Since 1648 (Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall 1996), 342. 4. Rogers, 7. 5. Rogers, 18. 6. Rogers, 16. 7. Rogers, 11. ADDITIONAL SOURCE: - Steven Shapin, "The Scientific Revolution," Library Journal, Aug. 1996, 63-67. This article offers a different approach to analyzing the impact of the Scientific Revolution. He discusses the "birth" of modern science which occurred between Copernicus and Newton's time. However, he also gives equal credit to Bacon, Descartes, Galileo for the development of the naturalistic philosophy we still use today. This article is an excellent source of furthering one's knowledge on the topic of human beings interactions with the natural world and how the efforts made during the scientific revolution still impact us today.

Communicable Disease

Communicable Disease HCS 457 September 24, 2012 Heather Steiner Communicable Disease Tuberculosis is a communicable disease that affects a person’s lungs. Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium. Untreated TB can be fatal, in the past TB was the leading cause of death in the United States. There are two TB related conditions that exit: latent TB infection and Active TB infection. TB can be transmitted to others when an infected person coughs or sneezes. According to the â€Å"Center for Disease Control† (2010), â€Å"TB disease is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal† (CDC, 2010, para. 3). Much like the common cold, TB is spread by an infected person breathing, coughing, speaking, or sneezing into the air; however, not everyone who acquires TB has symptoms. Latent TB infection occurs when one breathes in the bacteria can fight off the infection. Persons with latent TB have no symptoms and are not contagious unless the bacterium becomes active in one’s body.Once the illness is active it becomes active TB, and the person will become sick. People who have weakened immune systems because of other illness are more susceptible to contracting active TB. According to the â€Å"CDC† (2010), â€Å"The general symptoms of TB disease include feelings of sickness or weakness, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. The symptoms of TB disease of the lungs also include coughing, chest pain, and the coughing up of blood. Symptoms of TB disease in other parts of the body depend on the area affected† (CDC, 2010, para. ). According to U. S. National Library of Medicine (2011), † The following factors may increase the rate of TB infection in a population: Increase in HIV infections, Increase in number of homeless people (poor environment and nutrition). In the United States, there are approximately 10 cases of TB per 100,000 people. However, rates vary dramatically by area of residence and socioeconomic status. † (2011). A gap in care concerning TB patients is directly related to cultural beliefs and perceptions concerning disease.Cultural beliefs have a significant effect on the spread of disease and treatment options. For example, the Hmong in the United States represent a Southeast Asian minority group who immigrated to the United States. Many of the Hmong have settled in the Minneapolis metro area. The Hmong people experience an especially high rate of Tuberculosis (TB). Cultural influences play a significant part in diagnosing and controlling the spread of TB among the Hmong population. The language barrier is just one issue that health care workers have trouble with.According to â€Å"Culture Care Connection† (2010), â€Å"One persistent programmatic implication is that because the Hmong language lacks words for many biomedical or physiological concepts, communication requires proxy words to convey these ideas. New Hmong words may even need to be created in order to convey Western terms or concepts† (Culture Care, 2010 para. 6). To close the gap the Minnesota Department of Health needs to educate minority groups and health care providers about how to effectively communicate with one another.The study conducted by the CDC determined that although the Hmong were familiar with some TB symptoms the lack of education concerning the disease is a major roadblock to treatment. The study found that many Hmong believed that TB could not be transmitted through the air and that it could only be contracted by associating with â€Å"unclean† people. According to the â€Å"CDC† (2010), â€Å"Common misconceptions included that TB was transmitted by sharing eating utensils, through body fluids, or by kissing. Some participants believed TB was caused by unhygienic conditions† (CDC, 2010, para. 7).Many respondents said that TB is a source of shame in the community and that shame would prevent many from seeking out treatment. The Minnesota Department of Health has initiated a TB prevention and control program collaborates with local public health departments statewide. The program collects and analyzes surveillance data to monitor epidemiologic trends and provides consultation to clinicians and local public health departments to assure appropriate clinical management and adequate therapy for TB patients and persons exposed to TB disease† (2012). In conclusion, Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium.Untreated TB can be fatal. People who have weakened immune systems because of other illness are more susceptible to contracting active TB. A gap in care concerning TB patients is directly related to cultural beliefs and perceptions concerning disease. Cultural beliefs have a signific ant effect on the spread of disease and treatment options. To close the gap the Minnesota Department of Health needs to educate minority groups and health care providers about how to effectively communicate with one another. References CDC (2010). Common Perceptions, Attitudes, and Beliefs about Tuberculosis among the Lao Hmong. ttp://www. cdc. gov/tb/publications/guidestoolkits/EthnographicGuides/Hmong Culture Care Connection. (2010). Retrieved from http://www. culturecareconnection. org/matters/diversity/hmong. html McArdle, M. (2011, October). Resistance Is Futile.. The Atlantic, (), . doi:galegroup. com. ezproxy. apollolibrary. com/ Minnesota Department of Health. (2012). Retrieved from http://www. health. state. mn. us/divs/idepc/diseases/tb/program. html U. S. National Library of Medicine . (2011). Pulmonary tuberculosis. Retrieved from http://www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001141/

Symptoms And Treatment Of Xeroderma Pigmentosum - 1191 Words

Xeroderma Pigmentosum is also known as XP and is a disease where the skin of a person is sensitive to UV light. The biological process that isn’t functioning correctly in XP is the ability of cells to repair damage to DNA caused by the sun and UV radiation. UV damage to DNA of cells must be removed during DNA repair. Patients with XP have a mutation to a gene that is required in DNA excision. It is this mutation that leads to clinical symptoms observed in patients. The clinical symptoms of Xeroderma Pigmentosum include skin lesions and pigementation. In addition, many patients also show symptoms of ocular manifestations and mental diseases. Nucleotide excision repair genes are related to Xeroderma Pigmentosum. These are the genes that repair DNA damage caused by mutagenic agents such as UV. Previous studies have shown that mutations to these specific set of genes are highly related to clinical symptoms in XP patients. These genes are: DDB2, ERCC2, ERCC3, ERCC4, ERCC5, POLH, XPA and XPC. One of the genes that causes the most severe cases of the disease Xeroderma Pigmentosum is the XPA gene. Previous studies have shown that mutations in this gene cause clinical symptoms of Xeroderma Pigmentosum predominantly in the Japanese population where 1 in every 40,000 people have XP1. These studies showed that there is a possibility of 25 mutations that can occur to the XPA gene to cause XP. Experiments2 previously carried out involved the cloning of the XPAC gene from a mouse andShow MoreRelatedA Brief Look at Xeroderma Pigmentosum or XP550 Words   |  2 PagesMedical condition I will talk about today is Xeroderma Pigmentosum or XP for short. XP is commonly known for its ‘Vampire’ characteristics. This is a rare medical condition which basically involves a person being exceptionally sun sensitive from UV rays of sunlight. This certain condition affects the eyes but can also be holistic if exposed to sun light. Within saying that there is also 8 different types which can vary from the asperity, to the signs or symptoms. This disease usually begins in infancyRead MoreEssay about Inherited Diseases: Xeroderma Pigmentosum927 Words   |  4 PagesThis is how children live who suffer from the inherited disease, Xeroderma Pigmentosum, otherwise known as XP. It’s a rare disease that causes extreme levels of sensitivity to UV light. The human skin is normally able to repair the skin damage, but children living with XP cannot. Its strikes one in one million born in the U.S. and Europe but is more commonly found in Japan, North Africa, and the Middle East. Xeroderma Pigmentosum is a difficult disease to live with and takes a toll on the lifeRead MoreNeoplasia10526 Words   |  43 PagesDefective DNA repair syndromes - a group of cancerpredisposing conditions is collectively characterized by defects in DNA repair and resultant DNA instability. These are generally having an Autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance e.g. a) xeroderma pigmentosum, b) ataxia- telangectasia; c) Bloom syndrome, d) Fancon i anaemia, and occasionally e) HNPCC, which is an Autosomal dominant disorder and is the most common cancer syndrome, increasing the susceptibility to cancer in the colon (esp), small intestineRead MoreCancer : A Common Misconception About Cancer5956 Words   |  24 Pagestoo. SECTION 1: TRADITIONAL CANCER TREATMENTS Cancer has been around for a long time and is treatable. The traditional treatments were used when our knowledge of cancer was limited. However as we start to learn more about cancer, different and more effective treatments emerge. This section gives a brief introduction into the more basic and traditional treatments of cancer. 1.1- Surgery Surgery is one of the main treatments for cancer. It is a local treatment which means it only affects the part

Symptoms And Treatment Of Bipolar Disorder - 1670 Words

Once the diagnosis has been made that Bipolar disorder is the cause of the symptoms then a treatment plan can be started. When one lives with Bipolar disorder symptoms can be managed. Management involves various types of treatments such as medication, education, and talk therapy. There are numerous types of medications used to help cope and deal with the many symptoms of Bipolar disorder. These are used as mood stabilizers, sleep assistance, focusing agents, calming agents, antidepressants and antipsychotic medications. These medications may be used alone or in combination to treat depression or mania and for maintenance purposes. Along with the medications, education plays a key role in managing bipolar symptoms. Doctors and therapists usually will suggest programs to educate a patient on their specific disorder. Some of the programs that are suggested for people with bipolar disorder are PHP’s (Partial Hospitalization Program) or IOP’s (Intensive Outpatient Pro gram). These programs are usually attended three to four times per week for a specific amount of time (i.e. eight to twelve weeks). Patients work on group therapy, family therapy, meditation and dialectical and cognitive behavioral therapy. In group therapy sessions the focus is to meet people with the same diagnosis and discuss what treatments have worked for others. This also brings together individuals to form a support group. Family therapy sessions help the family to understand and cope with theShow MoreRelatedBipolar Disorder : Symptoms And Treatment854 Words   |  4 Pagesmedical condition known as bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is when a person suffers from severe shifts in mood and energy. In most cases, bipolar disorder can be treated and people with the illness can live normal and productive lives with the help of medication and or therapy. Aiken, C. (2010). Family Experiences of Bipolar Disorder: The Ups, the Downs and the Bits in Between. Retrieved from Ebsco Host. In this book the author discusses her own dealings with Bipolar Disorder. She goes on to say howRead MoreSymptoms And Treatment Of Bipolar Disorder1489 Words   |  6 PagesDiego City College Bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive disorder, is a disease that affects thousands of people all over the United States of America. According to Sarris (2011) approximately 1-2% of adults will be affected by bipolar disorder in their lifetime. While some individuals may go undiagnosed, the prevalence percentage can raise to as much as 4% when including milder subclinical presentations (Sarris, 2011). Bipolar disorder can cause severe dysfunction in theRead MoreSymptoms And Treatment Of Bipolar Disorder1125 Words   |  5 Pageswith several mental disorders. The major diagnosis would be bipolar disorder. She also suffers from borderline personality disorder, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety. The American Psychiatric Association s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder defines bipolar disorder as a recurrent mood disorder that includes periods of mania or mixed episodes of mania and depression (Murphy, 2012, p. 44-50). It was previously kn own as manic depressive disorder. It is most commonRead MoreBipolar Disorder Treatments : Symptoms And Symptoms2309 Words   |  10 Pages Bipolar Disorder Treatments Kelly Miazga Metropolitan State University December 8th 2014 â€Æ' Bipolar disorder treatments Introduction Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression or bipolar affective disorder is a mood disorder where the patient experiences episodes of extreme highs known as mania and extreme lows known as depression. Periods of mania and depression vary per person. 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Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks (NIMH). Suffering from bipolar disorder can mean su ffering from drastic changes in moodRead MoreSymptoms And Treatment Of Bipolar Disorder1274 Words   |  6 Pagesconclusion, Ben Tang was diagnosed with bipolar II disorder indicated by DSM-5 at age 47. He experienced symptoms such as feeling depressed, suicidal thoughts, and worthlessness in depressive episodes. He experienced symptoms such as racing mind, trouble falling asleep, and committing reckless behaviors in hypomanic episodes. It can be challenging to live with bipolar disorder because the symptoms can be hard to deal with. There are several ways to manage bipolar disorder, include medications, support groupRead MoreSymptoms And Treatment Of Bipolar Disorder1220 Words   |  5 PagesThe history of bipolar disorder is perhaps just as complex as the condition itself. Bipolar is highly recognized as a treatable disorder. The more we learn about bipolar disorder, the more people may be able to receive the help that they need. Centuries passed and little new was discovered about bipolar disorder until French psychiatrist Jean-Pierre Falret published an article in 1851 describing what he called â€Å"la folie circulaire,† which translates to circular insanity. The article details peopleRead MoreSymptoms And Treatment Of Bipolar Disorder762 Words   |  4 Pages Bipolar Disorder 2 Disorder history, In the 19th century psychiatry, mania had a broad meaning of craziness, hypomania was equated by some concepts of â€Å"partial insanity† or monomania. Bipolar disorder origins in 1854, Jules Baillarger and Jean-Pierre Falret, independently present descriptions of the disorder to Academie de Medicine in Paris. German neuropsychiatrist Emanuel Mendel in 1881 wrote â€Å"that heRead MoreSymptoms And Treatment Of Bipolar Disorder1442 Words   |  6 Pagesmental illness. For example, manic depressive illness, or bipolar disorder, is a cognitive disease which affects â€Å"about 2.6% of the U.S. population† every year (DBSA). Along with the vast number of patients stricken with bipolar, are also a plethora of symptoms, with researchers and patients reporting, â€Å"unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and (an inability) to carry out day-to-day tasks† (NIMH). Along with the symptoms of bipolar are several factors that contribute to the presence of the