Abstract
This paper discusses indications and contraindications for liver transplantation. It discusses the MELD and PELD scoring systems and explains how they prioritize patients for receipt of a transplant. It also examines recent developments that now enable previously unsuitable candidates to be considered for transplantation.

From the Paper
"Transplantation is the accepted treatment for patients with end stage liver disease. Because of an increasing number of patients being referred for transplantation, the gap between donate livers and recipients on the waiting list is ever increasing..."

Tags:MELD, PELD, chronic liver disease

Abstract
This paper presents a study on understanding the adolescent experiences in relation to Gaucher's Disease. The hypotheses for the study are "Adolescents with Gaucher's Disease have a different perspective of the self than adolescents not diagnosed with a chronic illness" and "Adolescents with Gaucher's Disease perceive friendships and social interactions differently than adolescents who do not have a chronic illness". In relation to the hypotheses, the study concentrates more on understanding how identity or self in adolescence is being affected by the Gaucher's Disease.

From the Paper
"People think of themselves as optimists or pessimists, and this is a reflection of our personality traits in opposites. The questions of being emotional or unemotional, dependent or independent, aggressive or passive, leader or follower, adventurous or cautious are also marks of these opposing traits. Most of these are natural inborn temperaments, but some of the characteristics of man like the feelings of competence or inferiority, and appearances as learned are based on the support and challenges faced by us during growing up. Erik Erickson explored this concept thoroughly. Though he had a great influence of Freud, the existence of ego from birth, and that behavior not being totally defensive were also his beliefs. He studied Sioux Indians on a reservation, and this made him aware of the great influence of culture on behavior. This made him place a lot of stress on the external world, like war and depression."

Tags:genetic, biological, programming, psychological, make, up, cultural, influences, development, enlarged, spleen, liver, small, short, delayed, growth

Abstract
The paper discusses chronic hepatitis C virus infection that is a major cause of chronic liver disease and death across the globe. The paper reveals that even in affluent nations such as Canada, deaths because of hepatitis C are increasing because of inadequate detection and treatment. The paper explores why hepatitis C infection is so difficult to control when there is an effective treatment for it. The paper discusses prevalence and incidence rates, the natural history of hepatitis C, the gent, host, and mode of transmission.

From the Paper
"Hepatitis C is one of three hepatitis viruses, the others being A and B. Hepatitis can be caused by viruses, but other causes are alcohol, drugs and other toxins. Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease and death across the globe. Current treatment is able to eradicate the virus in about 60 percent of all cases, and also reduces the progression to cirrhosis in the other cases. However, even in affluent nations such as Canada, deaths because of hepatitis C are increasing because of inadequate detection and treatment."

Tags:virus, control, epidemiology

Abstract
This paper examines how the presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) is a helpful marker for diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus, chronic liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease and many others. In particular, it focuses on the alternatives to immunofluoresence for anti-nuclear antibody testing.

From the Paper
"A scientist called Hargraves (1948) was the first to notice the anti nuclear antibodies in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are antibodies produced by the host immune system that attack the body's own tissues and organs instead of foreign invading organisms and toxins. Their production may be a result of an underlying autoimmune disease. About 5% of the population have a positive anti nuclear antibody. This percentage is higher in older ages, reaching a 15% in people ages 70 to 80 years old."

Tags:counter, immunoblotting, immunoelectrophoresis, immunofluoresence, nuclear, radioimmunoassay

Abstract
The paper discusses Lyme disease, the most popular tick borne disease in the United States. The paper explains that while mortality rates are very low, the cognitive deficits, musculoskeletal disorders (arthritis) and the other neurological complications have made life difficult for patients suffering from the chronic form of the disease. The paper proposes that since the symptoms of Lyme disease are directly associated with the bacterium's ability to control the expression of the proteolytic enzymes inside the host, that understanding the underlying mechanisms should be of high priority focus for future research. The paper concludes that new drugs are under trial studies and there is hope that pharmacological interventions would soon eradicate persistent spirochaetes.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Treatment Options for Lyme disease
Vaccination
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Two recently completed trials conducted by Klempner et.al have proved that prolonged administration of antibiotics on chronic patients does not offer any improvement in symptom control. For the study, the researchers included two different groups of people. One group represented 78 patients who were seropositve for IgG antibodies corresponding to Borrelia burgdorferi, while the other group involving 51 people were sero negative. The existence of previously documented Lyme disease and persistence of musculoskeletal symptoms inspite of previous course of antibiotic therapy were necessary conditions in the selection of subjects for this study."

Tags:Borrelia, burgdorferi, erythema, migrans, antibiotics

Abstract
The paper explores the incidence, diagnosis and pathogenesis of Lyme disease and discusses how Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases contribute to human aggression and violence, suicidal tendencies and depression. The paper looks at the treatment of the infection, the quick recovery of children and the use of a vaccine in its prevention.

Outline:
Background and Introduction
High Incidence in the United Kingdom
Neuro-psychiatric Symptoms
Late-Stage Neuroborreliosis
Pathogenesis
Chronic Lyme Disease
Neuroborreliosis and Aggression
Depression and Suicide and Neuroborreliosis
Tick-Borne Diseases
Treatment
Greater Recovery Among Children
Vaccine

From the Paper
"At present, detected symptoms of late-stage neuroborreliosis appear in the brain stem, limbic system, cortical system, and the peripheral system. In the brain stem, it produces autonomic, hormonal and cerebellar symptoms. These include migraine, temperature dysregulation, sexual dysfunction, sensitivity to bright light, mitral valve prolapse, irregular pulse, hypotension, asthma, non-ulcerative dyspepsia, irritable bowel and irritable bladder. Hormonal symptoms may be a thyroid disase, HPS axis dysregulation, reduced sex hormone functioning and hypoglycemia. Lymbic system symptoms can be altered attention, emotional and behavioral changes and pathological psychiatric syndromes."

Tags:ticks, neuroborreliosis, antibiotics, pathogens, immunity

Abstract
This paper defined disease as anything impairing the normal state or functioning of the body as a whole or of any of its parts, explaining how certain diseases are short lived, but severe, others chronic. The author classifies diseases by their cause and how infectious they may be.

From the paper:

"Disease can be defined as anything impairing the normal state or functioning of the body as a whole or of any of its parts. Some diseases are short lived, but they are accompanied by severe symptoms. Others are chronic, or diseases that last a long time. Diseases are classified by their cause; this could be a virus, bacteria, rickettsias, or protozoa. Fungi and parasitic worms can also cause diseases. Human, certain animals and insects, and infected objects can transmit only infectious diseases. Chemical and physical agents such as drugs, poisons, and radiation can also cause disease."

Tags:symptoms, virus, infection, bacteria, strep, rabies, immune, germ

Abstract
The paper relates that hepatitis B is known as the most serious of common liver infections in the world. The paper describes the symptoms of the hepatitis B virus and examines the transmission of the infection, who is most at risk of being infected by this virus and the factors that affect the chances of being infected by the chronic form of the virus. Finally, the paper looks at the diagnosis, treatment and costs of this disease.

Outline:
Introduction
Symptoms
Transmission and Range of the Infection
Diagnosis, Treatment and Costs

From the Paper
"Hepatitis B should be understood as an infection that is related to the general diagnoses of and category of Hepatitis. Hepatitis generally refers to a condition of the inflammation of the liver. This inflammation can be the result of various disorders of the immune system as well as a result of alcohol abuse. However, Hepatis B refers specifically to the above mentioned viral infection. (Hepatitis B Overview) The seriousness of this infection is evidenced by the fact that "...about twenty-five percent of adults who become chronically infected during childhood later die from liver cancer or cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) caused by the chronic infection." (Hepatitis B: WHO) Another important aspect to consider in this disease is that this virus is estimated by the World Health Organization to be between fifty to one-hundred times more infectious than the HIV or AIDS virus. (Hepatitis B: WHO) It is also known to be a serious occupational hazard for many health workers in regions where this disease is prevalent.
"Hepatitis B also varies in terms of its severity and can manifest itself as a mild illness which may last for a few weeks in its acute phase and can develop into a serious and debilitating long term chronic illness. (Viral Hepatitis) The acute or short term phase of the disease usually occurs shortly after exposure to the virus. The more severe life-threatening form of acute Hepatitis B is known as fulminant hepatitis."

Tags:liver, transmission

Abstract
The paper introduces alcoholism, defining it as a disease that is chronic, incurable and causes the person to need the alcohol in order to function. The paper discusses symptoms of alcoholism and then proceeds to study forms of treatment such as detoxification and AA. Finally, the importance of the social worker's role in alcohol treatment is discussed and stressed.

From the Paper
"One thing that has not been spoken about is how differently a patient will react to treatment if the patient is also suffering from one of the aforementioned conditions. An alcoholic with an addiction to cocaine will certainly react differently in a detox situation than an alcoholic with a nicotine addiction. Not to mention the possible presence of some type of liver damage, or other serious medical problem that could harm the patient far more than the treatment may be prepared for. Caseworkers face many life-altering decisions when it comes to the management of such cases of alcoholism and their comorbidity. It seems to be so common that research is really needed in order to aid workers recognize all of the possible complications, as well as the more appropriate treatment plan for these patients. (NIAAA, 1991)"

Tags:NIAAA, Alcoholics-Anonymous, Cognitive, Behavioral, Therapies, Child, Protective, Services, liver, bulimia