Abstract The paper explains that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease where antibodies meant to protect the body against infection end up attacking body tissue. The paper discusses the roles of a proper diet and nutritional supplements, exercise and optimism in building a strong and healthy immune system to fight this disease. The paper points out that if RA is left untreated, it can do serious damage to the various organs of the body.
From the Paper "Rheumatoid Arthitis (RA) is a disease that affects about 2.1 million Americans according to statistics from the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Although associated with senior citizens, the disease affects people of all ages including younger people. There is a form of RA that is common among young people called Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthitis. (JRA). JRA is believed to affect about 1 in 1000 children. RA affects women at higher rates than men and has been known to show up in certain families which leads scientists to believe it may be hereditary. RA is less common than ostheoarthristis which is caused by the wear in tear in the joints as people age. According to the book "Understanding Arthritis," by Stanton P. Newman, osthearthitis is found in the majority of people over the age of 75."
Tags: diet, exercise, optimism, inflammation, joints, antigens, immune, system
Abstract This paper explains that, previously considered a benign disabling illness, rheumatoid arthritis is now recognized as a cause of increased mortality due to the systemic effects of peri-cardial disease, interstitial lung disease and systemic vasculitis. The author points out that the differentiation of rheumatoid arthritis from other rheumatic diseases can be difficult; however, certain clinical features, such as joint inflammation and the number and specific joint sites affected can help indicate if the diagnosis should be RA. The paper relates that the etiology of rheumatoid arthritis is still unknown but there is some indication that a common virus or bacterium might serve as a triggering event; however, there is still no evidence to implicate a specific infectious agent.
From the Paper "Joint inflammation is characteristically polyarticular, symmetrical, and in severe cases may be warm and erythematous. Joints involved in Rheumatoid Arthritis include proximal interphalangeal, metacarpophalangeal (MCP), the wrist, elbow, knee, and ankle. Rheumatoid nodules, an aggregate of inflammatory cells surrounding a center of cellular debris, can occur on the extensor surfaces of the elbows or fingers. A poorer prognosis is likely for patients who experienced onset at an early age and who have elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rates and high levels of rheumatoid factor and swelling of more than 20 joints."
Abstract This paper discusses the effect of rheumatoid arthritis on the daily living of a patient. It describes the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and how it presents. The paper then focuses on the impact of exercise and mood on the severity of the disease and discusses the importance of ensuring enough exercise and positive mood for patients with the disease.
Table of Contents:
Review Of The Literature
Introduction to Rheumatoid Arthritis
Importance of Exercise for Individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis
RA & ADL
From the Paper "Patients with better mood "showed lower disease activity after one year of observation as compared with those with worse mood. As well as several reports relating diseases and mood, mental status has also been reported to affect immuno-regulatory systems. Chronic depression or chronic stress conditions lead to immuno-suppressive status and imbalance in corticotrophin-releasing hormone, which induces cancer and hyperthyroidism. It has been reported that depressive states induce suppression of mitogenic reaction in lymphocytes, decreases the number and activity of natural killer cells and decreases the production of interferon." Sadamoto, Ogawa, Ogura and Saito, 2006) The work of Gray (nd) entitled: "What Feature of Rheumatoid Arthritis are Hard to Cope with Psychologically and What Strategies Might be Helpful in Coping?" identifies the features of RA which are hard to psychologically cope with and explores the relationships between those features and negative psychological outcomes. The following figure shows the percentages of the disease symptoms and how the ability of those with RA are affected in coping."
Abstract This paper discusses how Philippe Ari?s? book, "L"Enfant et la Vie Familiale sous L"Ancien R?gime", or "Centuries of Childhood" in translation, which was published over four decades ago, is still regarded by many as the ultimate study in the development of childhood over the centuries. It looks at how although there have been numerous works published over these past forty years that contradict Ari?s? hypothesis and that contain very convincing and diverse data and statistics to back up their claims, the majority of the critics hold fast to the idea that the relationship between parent and child changed from cold and distant in the seventeenth century, to loving and affectionate by the end of the eighteenth. This paper dismisses that thesis and proposes that childhood was certainly a notion that was accepted before eighteenth century sensibilities and it was, in fact, only the idea of how children should be treated that truly changed.
From the Paper "Much of the evidence to support the idea that children were regarded at best indifferently, and at worst disdainfully, is found in the ideals of religion, and specifically in Christianity, of the times. A thirteenth-century hagiographical book entitled Golden Legend was very popular and influential into the seventeenth century, and throughout the tales the emphasis that the saints acted like adults even as small children was very pronounced. There were also popular biographies of actual children like Edward VI and Lady Jane Grey that portrayed them more adult-like than child-like even in their extreme youth, for they were grave, sage, and were masters in many disciplines by an extraordinarily young age."
Abstract This paper explains that rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the synovial joints and virtually every tissue in the body joints and other tissues; it can affect persons of all ages. The author points out that treatment of rheumatoid arthritis demands a multidisciplinary approach that includes pharmacological control of inflammation; combinations of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and slow-acting anti-rheumatic drugs (SAARDs), which provide the basis for treatment; physical therapies, including general and specific exercises; educational programs; and psychological counseling. The paper relates that, especially for older patients, weight-bearing activities increase bone strength so that, in the case of a fall, there will be less likely to have a fracture.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Patient Perceptions
Surgeries Available
Exercise and Therapy
Conclusion
From the Paper "Physical activity and exercise is definitely a factor that can contribute to positive aging in general and RA prevention in particular, and has been researched methodically and thoroughly. Many researchers have focused on the mental and physical benefits that activity can bring to the elderly, who may be able to stave off physical deterioration by
engaging in an active lifestyle that highlights exercise and fitness. Although some studies have gone so far as to set the minimum time and intensity for physical activity, most agree that in terms of exercise, anything is better than nothing. "Updated ACR guidelines on the management of RA recommend that an optimal treatment strategy include physical therapy and regular participation in dynamic and aerobic exercise programs in addition to pharmacologic interventions."
Tags: research, exercise, synovial, drugs, surgery
Abstract The paper identifies some of the major gods and goddesses worshipped by the ancient Egyptians. It discusses gods such as Isis, Osiris, Nephthys and describes their personal relationships with each other and their qualities.
From the Paper "First, there was God Ra. He was also called Re. His title was the Sun-God. It is known that he was the creator of the world. Ra was also known as the Father of all Gods. It is from him the other Gods and Goddesses were created. He was known as a symbol of life, rebirth, children, and health. Ra was associated with three aspects, which are the same as the positions of the sun; Amen at dawn, Re in the evening, and Set at dusk. He was believed to be involved in the daily crossing of the sun in the Heavens. He was represented as a man with a falcon-head or a ram-head. In the second millennium, Ra was combined with God Amun, and at that time the God who was praised was Amun-Ra."
Abstract This paper begins with a description of the numerous deities and their special purpose of the Ancient Egyptian mythology. It continues to discuss creation myths, funeral practices and beliefs in the afterlife. The paper concludes with an Egyptian worldview.
From the Paper "The history of Ancient Egypt encompasses a span of approximately three millennia and more than thirty dynasties. Within this ancient culture a number of myths, gods and rituals provide us with rich insight into the values, beliefs and practices of Egyptians. A large number of gods are instrumental in revealing the worldview of the Ancient Egyptians including their mythology. Creation, myths, funeral practices and beliefs regarding the afterlife are all either directly or indirectly connected to these gods. This analysis will discuss the gods of Ancient ..."
Abstract After a general introduction into various methods of genetic engineering and the effects it can have on plants and animals, this paper describes a particular research into whey acidic protein promoters in mice as they can be used to study the RAS oncogenes in human tumors.
From the Paper "Genetic engineering can involve different ways of manipulating genetic material in plants or animals, intending to produce different kinds of plants or animals. Among the reasons for doing so are to control for disease, alter certain characteristics, add completely new characteristics, and generally change the strain of the plant or the animal. Such experiments can be uncertain, since it is never certain what effects the manipulation of genetic material may have. Some genetic engineering has long taken place through the breeding of animals and plants for specific traits, but more recently it has been possible to make such changes at the genetic level and to produce new species virtually overnight and on a much wider basis, leading, for instance, to new crops with different characteristics from older crops of the same sort, such as higher yield, resistance to disease, the ability to repel insects, and so on. On the one hand, there have been concerns about making such changes, as if they might lead to new species that would destroy older crops, create new diseases, and so threaten the production of food or threaten human life more directly, a science fiction scenario that has not yet come to pass. Another concern, and one more difficult to refute, is these new foodstuffs may harm human life in the long run in ways not yet foreseen. Wright (2002) cites a report by a National Research Council committee that Athe most significant risk associated with animal biotechnology is the potential effect on the environment. In particular, the committee said that if engineered animals escaped into the wild, they could endanger native species@ (Wright, 2002, p. 4). No human risks were identified by this report, but it was noted that this might not prove there were none given that animal biotechnology is a new and changing field."
