Abstract This paper discusses Creutzfeldt-Jakobdisease (CJD), also known as spongiform transmissible encephalopathis or infectious amyloidoses, is a dementing disease that results from a prion. Specifically, it describes the definition, occurrence, onset, symptoms and fatal outcome of the disease.This paper asserts that by studying the disease as it manifests in various cases, doctors can become familiar with earlier symptoms and diagnosis, and prepare families in advance. With such preparation, families can obtain closure in advance of the inevitable outcome and reach the closure stage sooner.
From the Paper "The case study shows that the onset of more commonly psychiatric systems associated with mental illness precludes the early diagnosis of the disease. Instead, warning factors such as neurological symptoms should also be viewed as a warning sign of the disease. This can be particularly helpful in diagnosing familial cases. A known family history of the disease can be helpful in early diagnosis and also in making decisions regarding the care of the patient.
"According to the Memory and Aging Center (2008), many tools are available today that can be helpful in diagnosing the disease more accurately. The MRI for example can accurately detect the abnormalities displayed by the disease and rule out other possibilities such as mental illness. Because of the existing behavioral and movement manifestations of the disease, this tool often requires sedation or general anesthesia in severe cases, as patients are required to be still during the examination process. FLAIR and DWI images are also useful in showing abnormalities that are caused by the disease."
Abstract This paper discusses the devastating Creutzfeldt-Jakobdisease (CJD). It describes the initial symptoms of CJD and it progression throughout the illness. The paper then analyzes the link between CJD and the prion protein in the brain. It also looks at diagnosis of the disease. The paper then goes on to research if the fact that CJD is limited to the central nervous system and olfactory-nerve tissue could indicate that some other factor besides the prion is involved. The paper presents the research design, its challenges and results.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Research Question
Methods
Research Team
Funding
Results
Leadership Skills
Challenges
Summary
From the Paper "Very little is known about CJD in terms of what causes the mutation of the prion protein. Whereas sporadic CJD was always marked by low incidence since the 1920s, there is currently an alarming increase in the incidence of the disease in Switzerland. The reasons for this increase need to be studied immediately. After a decade of focus on the prion protein, studies are needed to determine underlying factors that may be affecting that protein to mutate. The mechanism by which the prion can avoid the immune system needs to be studied, along with the central question of how a protein can destroy neurons. The idea that a protein can destroy is a total paradox which needs to be resolved. Other questions concern how patients might be diagnosed without the need for invasive procedures."
Abstract This paper discusses Mad Cow Disease, otherwise known as Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy or as Creutzfeldt-Jakobdisease in humans. It discusses the history, background and pathophysiology of the disease. It then goes on to describe prevention and treatment options for the disease, concluding that there are no effective treatments available. The paper concludes by discussing nursing and collaborative care for patients with the disease.
Table of Contents:
Epidemiology
Pathophysiology
Prevention and Treatment
Differences in Classic CJD and Variant CJD
Nursing and Collaborative Care
From the Paper "Variant CJD has a median age at death of 28 years. The duration of the illness is approximately 13-14 months. Some of the clinical signs and symptoms include: prominent psychiatric/behavioral symptoms, painful dyesthesiasis; and delayed neurologic signs. The "Pulvinar sign" on an MRI is present in greater than 75% of most of the Variant CJD. The presence of "florid plaques" on neuropathology is usually in large numbers and easily detected. The agent is readily detected in the lymphoid tissue. There is a marked accumulation of protease-resistance prion protein noted in the brain. This is why the Variant CJD is much more easily detected because it shows up on more tests."
Abstract Mad Cow Disease is a brain disease of cattle, which was first identified in the United Kingdom in the mid-1980s. Although not as widespread as some other livestock diseases, such as hoof-and mouth-disease, the Mad Cow Disease has attracted a lot of publicity because of its apparent apparent ability to transmit to humans, the fact that there is no known cure for the disease and the horrifying nature of the brain decay it causes. This paper explains the cause of the disease, how it affects the organisms, how it is transmitted from one organism to another, and the ways in which it could be transmitted to humans. The paper also discusses the human equivalents of the disease.
Paper Outline:
Cause of the Disease How the Disease Affects the Organism
How is the Disease Transmitted from one Organism to Another
The Ways in Which it Could be Transmitted from Cows to Humans
Human Equivalents of the Disease Works Cited
From the Paper "This theory about the spread of disease is based on the observation that incidences of the disease have mostly been found in the UK where feeding of meat and bone meal to cattle was most common. Although other European countries also fed meat and bone meals to cattle as a protein supplement, the British laws about high temperature sterilization of the protein meal were relatively lax in order to keep meat prices competitive."
Abstract Ever since Mad Cow Disease sparked terror in international headlines, the public has been concerned about eating beef. Mad Cow Disease is not, however, the first or only prion-caused disease. Several others, including Creutzfeldt-JakobDisease (CJD) and kuru in humans and a host of agricultural animal disorders join Mad Cow in both cause and effects, the major effect being horror. This paper argues that, while the presence on the planet of a disease that literally lays waste to human brain tissue is frightening, there are two probabilities that can be seen as reasons not to be terrified. Instead, people could be hopeful that research sparked by the publicity surrounding Mad Cow Disease will eventually bring answers to such sociologically and medically devastating diseases as Alzheimer's Disease, and other lesser known but just as deadly diseases such as Lou Gehrig's Disease. The paper shows that these two probabilities are first, that prion-caused diseases are much less prevalent than media hype would indicate and, second, that a cure or vaccination is relatively certain to be discovered in the near to medium term.
Paper Outline:
Introduction
Methods
Discussion
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "Questions have arisen regarding why these particles are not attacked by the body's defense mechanisms, and the answer, Mahy noted, is that they are so odd, they are simply not recognized and therefore cannot be neutralized. Prions contain no nucleic acid and are therefore extremely " extremely resistant to inactivation by chemical or physical interventions that would inactivate viruses" (Mahy 1998) because there is no vector through which to deliver the 'poison'. Even more so than viruses, then, it is reasonable to wonder whether prions are, in fact, alive. And if they are not alive, then how can they infect an organism? Do they replicate like bacteria and viruses, or what?"
Tags: Stanley, Prusiner, protein, sterilization, kuru
Abstract This paper explains that Kuru disease is found among natives in the eastern highlands of New Guinea who eat the brains of deceased relatives to honor them. The author points out that it is similarity to other spongiform encephalopathies, now known as prion diseases. The paper looks at the biochemical features of the disease and reviews prion diseases in general.
From the Paper "Kuru disease is one of a family of diseases known as prion diseases because they are caused by an abnormal form of the prion PrP protein found in membranes. The family includes Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease."
Abstract This paper examines transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) which are fatal, incurable degenerative diseases of the brain transmitted by prions. The paper explains the prion hypothesis, disease transmission and features of TSE and then examines each of the five known TSE diseases in humans. Lastly, the paper looks at the research regarding a possible cure or vaccine for TSE.
Table of Contents:
The Prion Hypothesis
Disease transmission
Disease markers
Features of TSE
Kuru
Creutzfeldt-Jakobdisease Gerstmann Straussler Scheinker syndrome
Fatal familial insomnia
Alper's syndrome
Possible cure or vaccine for TSE
From the Paper "There is progressive cerebellar dysfunction in the middle years. There is unsteadiness, clumsiness, incoordination and progressive gait difficulty. The cerebellar signs become more severe as the disease progresses with ataxia, dysarthria, and nystagmus. Additional findings in some are, parkinsonism, pyramidal and extrapyramidal findings, blindness and gaze palsies. Compared to CJD, dementia and myoclonus are either absent or minor."
A discussion of the discovery of mad cow disease, to the present, and the role the media/government has played in control, prevention, and the dissemination of information.
Abstract Examines the treatment of Mad-cow disease in the media, and by the government.
Discusses the following topics
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and Scrapie
What Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies Do
Two Theories on the Action of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies
British Government Admits Mad Cow Disease Exists (1987)
Testing Results by the British government MAFF
Culpability of the British Medical Society
The Spread of CJD
Steps Taken by the British Government
From the Paper "Where the industry has gone wrong is in listening to the PR people. The mad-cow epidemic is not an information management issue?it is a disease that will not go away.? These words are from an interview with Dr. Pringle, a member of the Sperling Biomedical Foundation, and the founder of www.mad-cow.org. I believe that they highlight what has been fundamentally wrong about the treatment of mad-cow disease by the British government and the British media. Several grave errors have been made about the treatment of this issue, and they continue to have repercussions today, as we explore America's mad-cow incidents, and rising problems in Europe, Asia, and South America. At the time this paper was written, mad cow disease had been confirmed in domestic cattle in Belgium, France, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, Spain and Germany."
Abstract The paper discusses the efficiency of the German governmental agencies and beef industry in estimating the risk of mad cow disease negatively affecting German consumers of beef during the years 2001 to 2004. The paper further discusses how the German governmental agencies and industry managers performed risk management strategies and policies through the selection and implementation of appropriate measures after the outbreak of mad cow disease in Germany in 2000 and until 2004. In addition, the paper looks at how the risk communication was conducted in relation to the true possibility that humans can contract Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease (CJD), a variant of BSE.
Outline:
Objective
Introduction
Perceived Risk Analysis
Rational Problem-Solving
Food Safety Regulation Reform
Research Risk and Assessment
Food Industry Supports Government
Summary and Conclusion
From the Paper "The work of Grannis, Green and Bruch (2004) entitled: "Animal Health: The Potential Role for Livestock Disease Insurance" state that "animal disease can cause significant production losses and a reduction in livestock receipts." Grannis, Green and Bruch state that an opportunity development exists in assisting the management of livestock disease risks and one example is Germany. "Evidence from Germany demonstrates that both alternative value and consequential loss policies for livestock producers can be developed and can work in parallel with government indemnity programs. In Germany, indemnity payments are made based on predetermined and published payment schedules. These schedules are capped by maximum values that do not represent the value of superior commercial animals. Policies are available to insure the difference between the value indemnified according to the published government schedule and the value of the animal under regular, nondisease market conditions".
Abstract This paper presents a detailed overview of sickle cell disease, an inherited disease of the red blood cells, which is present from birth. The paper begins with a brief discussion of the history of the disease, including its discovery. Next the paper investigates the pathophysiological aspects of the disease, presenting the information in easy-to-understand layman terms. The paper then discusses how sickle cell disease affects sufferers physically. Finally the paper presents and evaluates treatment options.
Outline:
Historical Perspective
Pathophysiological Basics of Sickle Cell Disease Physical Manifestations of Sickle Cell Disease Treatment options for Sickle Cell Disease Conclusion
From the Paper "Before one can speak in depth on sickle cell disease itself, one must understand the basic pathophysiology which surrounds the condition. Hemoglobin is a protein carried by red cells, which carries oxygen from the lungs for delivery to peripheral tissues. It is composed of two similar proteins, alpha and beta. It is the coordinated action of the alpha and beta globin chains which allow the oxygen transport to occur. These two chains combine to form hemoglobin. During life, except during the very first week of embryonic development, one of the globin chains in an alpha. A developing fetus also has another chain which is a gamma globin; sometimes called non-alpha is present in the fetal circulation. The gamma globin is replaced shortly after birth with the beta, which then chains with the alpha. When two alpha chains combine with two gamma chains, this is called Hemoglobin F, or the common hemoglobin of fetal circulation. Adult hemoglobin, formed of two alpha and beta chains is called Hemoglobin A. If one alpha and one non-alpha chain combine, then this two chain combination is called a dimer and it not functional enough to deliver oxygen to tissues."
This paper examines Sander Gilman's argument that disease and illness are main avenues for projecting societal beliefs, views and ideologies, as detailed in his book "Disease and Representation."
Abstract This paper explores Sander Gilman's theory that the representations of illness and disease are manifestations of society which are susceptible to changes, much the way knowledge is. Art and literature are two major avenues in which society projects its beliefs and views. Gilman uses this phenomenon to examine how disease and illness are seen through society. Gilman contends that in art and literature, painters and poets have accumulated their society's fears of illness and disease and manifested them into very detailed pictorial representations. The writer stresses the need to create representations that can be physically seen which would lessen society's fear of illness. This paper also discusses the various methods created by scientists in which observations and ideas can in fact be seen and scrutinized which results in better understanding of disease and illness.
From the Paper "Scientists have created a method by which observations and ideas can be observed and scrutinized in order to better the comprehension of the world. The scientific method is central to new ideas and theories becoming more accepted in the scientific community. Just as a human relies on its five senses to interact with the world, the scientific method relies on human observations and ideas to create knowledge. Thus, in its own essence, the scientific method is relying on lesser means of perception in order to broaden the understanding of the world. As an idea passes through the scientific method on its way to becoming accepted knowledge, it must first pass the task of acceptance by society."
Tags: science, perception, art, literature, illness, disease, society, social
Abstract The paper relates that approximately 4 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease. The paper explains that this is a disease that affects a person's memory and often makes it impossible to do everyday activities such as eating or dressing. The paper discusses how today scientists know more about this disease, but they do not have a cure for the illness. The paper explains the importance of knowing the definition of Alzheimer's disease with its many symptoms, as well as studying the best treatments for the disease.
Abstract The paper discusses the onset of coronary artery disease and the condition of atherosclerosis. The paper explains that coronary artery disease is primarily characterized as an inflammation of the arteries. The paper outlines the causes of this inflammation and examines the strong correlation between coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as well as with Type II Diabetes. The paper looks at the most serious complication from coronary artery disease, which is the possibility of a heart attack.
From the Paper "Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a frightening name for an all-too common illness. It is the most common type of heart disease and the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women ("What Is Coronary Artery Disease?" NIH, 2007). More than 64 million Americans suffer from some form of cardiovascular disease, and in 2001, cardiovascular disease was responsible for more than 39 percent of all deaths in the United States (American Heart Association: Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2004, cited by "Coronary Artery Disease and Atherosclerosis, Health Concerns, 2006, p1)."
Abstract This paper examines the novel mechanism of disease transmittal in prions as well as the diseases themselves (mad cow disease and Creutzfeld-Jacobs disease). Functions of normal prions are also discussed. The paper also examines how prions are devoid of nucleic acids, and thus carry no information other than their tertiary structure.
From the Paper "Knockout mice survived up to their 70th week, and then they began to display signs common with brain disease, which included a loss of motor coordination. Curiously, the symptoms shown by these knockout mice were similar to those found in many cases of prion diseases."
Tags: brain, cow, creutzfeld, disease, infectious, jacobs, mad, prions, protein
Abstract The topic of this study is Alzheimer's disease, especially issues related to the treatment of this particular disease. Alzheimer's disease is not only a chronic, debilitating and progressive disorder, but it is also one that is expected to escalate on account of the aging of the population. When one adds the fact that there currently is no cure for the disease, and that total care is required for people who are in the final stages, then one is left with perhaps one of the most significant health issues in our society. Also, the fact that care giving is such an important aspect of treatment, one is faced with the effects that are experienced by caregivers. This final point makes the topic of profound interest to the author on account of the author's own involvement in care giving.
