Abstract "Parkinson's disease (PD) is a degenerative neurologic disorder that currently affects more than one half million American patients (2). While there is no known medical treatment that halts or clearly reverses the degeneration of dompanimergic neurons resulting in symptoms, a variety of techniques are available and under current experimental investigation.
From the Paper "Parkinson's disease (PD) is a degenerative neurologic disorder that currently affects more than one half million American patients (2). While there is no known medical treatment that halts or clearly reverses the degeneration of dompanimergic neurons resulting in symptoms, a variety of techniques are available and under current experimental investigation.
Ulm (10) suggests that simple physical measures as adjuvant therapy in PD have received too little notice, and provides a list of currently available techniques. This author notes that breathing and relaxation exercises can significantly improve well-being but physiologic effects seem limited to the duration of therapy administration. Laser acupuncture, which yields slight improvement in comprehensibility, is also unfortunately short-term. While massage works best only in already supple cases,..."
Abstract Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neuro-degenerative disorder producing deterioration of the motor cortex and motoneurons of the brainstem and spinal cord. In particular, patients are affected by the vulnerability of the cranial motoneurons that assist speech and swallowing. The disease usually leads to death in 3 to 5 years due to respiratory complications.
Abstract The paper beings by looking at osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, tendinitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. It then looks at actin and myosin and how they interact in muscle contraction. Next, the paper looks at the intestinal villi and specialized cells found there.
From the Paper "Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease which is progressive and causes a gradual loss of cartilage resulting in the development of bony spurs and cysts on the joint margins. The name comes from the Greek words for bone joint and inflammation. Osteoarthritis causes disability because it limits movements of the joint. It results from deterioration or loss of cartilage from weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips and as the cartilage is worn away the bones rub together forming spurs which are areas of abnormal hardening...
Abstract This paper presents the case study of a 58 year old married female, a retired librarian with a ten year history of Type 2 Diabetes, hypertension, hypelipidemia and degenerative joint disease. The paper evaluates her previous treatments and offers recommendations for further care.
Outline:
Problem List
Evaluation of Previous Treatment
Addendum to Current Treatment
From the Paper "The patient was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes by an unspecified diagnostic test in 1983. Random blood sugars ranged from 150-180 mg/dL in the morning and 190-200 mg/dL prior to supper. The patient admits to being poorly compliant with a diabetic diet, with an inability to regulate consumption, especially food high in carbohydrate content. In addition, weight loss has been unsatisfactory, with minimal exercise (walking her dog for 10 minutes) allegedly attributed to DJD. She is currently taking Glyburide 10 mg BID with questionable compliance and ASA 325 mg q D."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the functioning of embryonic stem (ES) cells, with particular focus on polycomb regulation. It maintains that ES cells are of great importance as they have the flexibility to give rise to any cell type in the body. It also adds that they can also be kept in an undifferentiated state and selectively induced to form any specialized cell types, which could potentially replace cells lost or damaged by disease. The paper points out that such knowledge has immense significance as it can help people who are suffering from various degenerative diseases or other tragedies. The paper includes charts, graphs and illustrations. It concludes that future studies are required to delve further into the not fully understood mechanisms by which ES cells self-renew, while maintaining the ability to differentiate into virtually all adult cell types.
Outline:
Experimental Procedures
Cells and Cell Culture
Chromatin Immunoprecipitation and DNA Microarray Analysis
Gene Expression Analysis
Future Experiments
From the Paper "Polycomb silencing mechanisms were first discovered in Drosophila as functions essential for the regulated expression of homeotic genes during development (Lewis, 1978). The Polycomb gene of Drosophila is a member of a large class of genes required for the segment-specific repression of homeotic selector genes (Paro & Hogness, 1991). PcG and their complexes are essentially conserved from insects to mammals. PcG genes do not constitute a family, but a diverse group originally defined by the fact that loss of function of each member has similar consequences in depression of the homeotic genes. Molecular analysis has shown that most PcG gene products act together to form multi-protein complexes (Berger, 2006)."
Abstract This paper takes an in-depth look at Alzheimer's disease, a degenerative brain disorder that was first identified in 1906 by Alois Alzheimer. This disease represents the single most prevalent form of brain disorders and is also the leading cause of dementia, affecting approximately 4.5 million people in the Untied States. The paper provides a brief overview of the disease, the symptoms, the diagnostic procedures and the treatment methods in order for us to gain a better understanding of this degenerative brain disorder.
Outline:
Introduction
Alzheimer's Disease
Early and Late onset Alzheimer's Disease
Symptoms of the Disease
Memory Loss and Language Disorder
Depression
Dyspraxia and Agnosia
Diagnosis
Tests for Cognitive Impairment
Positron Emission Topography
Major Causes of Alzheimer's Disease
Amyloid Plaques
NeuroFibrillary Tangles
Metal ions
Treatment Methods
Restoring Cholinergic Transmission
Anti-inflammatory Drugs
Conclusion
From the Paper "Considerable reduction in cholinergic transmission is one of the primary causes for the loss of memory and other associated symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and other kinds of dementia. Hence pharmacological treatment for AD mainly revolves around rectifying this circulatory deficit within the brain. Compounds designed to enhance cholinergic transmission constitute an important part of the treatment plan. Acetylcholine the neurotransmitter of the brain is considerably broken down in-patients suffering from AD and other dementias. The underlying mechanism of the neurotransmitter can be simplified as follows. An electrical impulse generated passes along the nerve and when it reaches the end it triggers the release of chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters, which in turn diffuse along the synaptic cleft and react with the specific receptor sites on the organ. Activation at the receptor junction initiates a series of chemical reactions resulting in a specific biological response. "
A paper which studies the effects of the Superfund Neurotoxin Methylazoxymethanol (MAM) on brain dendritic spine density in long hooded Evans Rats Rattus norvegicus.
Abstract The paper shows that in the study of structural development in the brain there have been several proposed biomarkers for quantifying brain plasticity. These include but are not limited to cortical thickness, dendritic length and branching, expression of neuronal proteins, and the presence of DNA adducts. The paper discusses the theory that a measure of brain plasticity emerging late in embryonic development will be a very sensitive biomarker for detecting subtle damage suffered by brain cells during earlier stages of brain development not detectable by other means. The paper shows that to test this, the effects of a neurotoxin on the late developing dendritic spines were studied. A significant decrease in spine density was observed as the neurotoxin, methylazoxymethanol, increased. The author of the paper shows how the implications are widespread in the study of neuro-degenerative disease.
From the Paper "Fifty years ago, Donald Hebb demonstrated that the conditions under which laboratory rats were housed could significantly affect their performance in a variety of complex spatial tasks later in life (1). The complex environment rearing paradigm has been valuable in assessing plasticity of a variety of brain components including cerebral cortical microvasculature, astrocyetic morphology, dentritic branching patterns, synaptic number, and synaptic structure are all affected by complex environment rearing (2). It has been suggested that multiple synaptic contacts (spines) may play a role in the spread of the additive effect of learning known as potentiation, among neighboring unstimulated neurons. A lack of these spines and their connection with boutons of neighboring neurons could then result in a decrease in the capacity for learning. Some recent work has indicated that the presence of multiple synaptic contacts may be altered by experience. Most of this research has focused on structural changes in the hippocampus. Dendrtic spines show great variability in structure and connectivity, both within and across brain structures, including 10-fold differences in length and diameter as well as variations in the number of branches and spines per dendrite."
Abstract This paper examines the above book which examines the lives of the Fore people of New Guinea and their changing lifestyles when faced with the encroachment of modern society. It discusses how the focus of her book is the disease of the local indiginous people that was prevalent during the early 1960s, called Kuru. It describes the causes, symptoms and epidemiology of Kuru believed to be a fatal degenerative disease brought on by lack of protein and how the Fore people thought that Kuru was caused by a wrong sorcery, which was done by an unfavorable person.
From the Paper "Lindenbaum and her husband carried out an lengthy study of South Fore culture and society then check their work against findings throughout neighboring groups to the north and west where kuru was found. Lindenbaum recorded events in relation to the age of the informants, birth order and marriages, therefore keeping a history of the disease. Among some of the findings by Lindenbaum were: The disease first appeared between 1900 and 1920, that myth and ritual contained no reference to kuru despite the seriousness of the disease and the toll it was taking, older tribespeople would reminice, marking the recording of the first appearance of the kuru in their area."
Abstract This paper defines Alzheimer's as a progressive, degenerative and irreversible brain disease that stifles the normal cognitive and functional abilities of the affected person. The paper studies the disease in a detail by analyzing the symptoms and the etiology along with the diagnostic approaches as well as the currently available treatment methods. In the process, the paper also includes a discussion of some other common forms of dementia and how AD can be differentiated from them.
From the Paper "The main cause for the disease is the destruction of the brain cells particularly in the cortex region. In the first stage of the disease the region in the cerebral cortex that is associated with memory is affected. Then as the disease progresses other regions in the cerebral cortex also undergo progressive deterioration leading to total impairment of functional and cognitive abilities. Though as in any other form of dementia syndrome memory loss is one of the chief and noticeable problems the effect of the disease extends to much more than memory loss and in most of the cases there is a total crippling of the brain functions thereby affecting the individuals ability to relate and respond appropriately to the outside world."
Tags: brain, symptom, diagnosis, memory, elderly, old, age
Abstract This paper will discuss the nature of the morality with children and teenagers within the school system in the United States. By realizing the arguments that are created for this, we can understand the notions that American needs to act on some new morality to change the sloping scales of degenerate behavior in this country. The most important arguments will focus on what can be done help educate children and teens in how to learn respect from their elders, and to realize that morality is a very important topic in these times.
Abstract This paper examines F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, ?The Great Gatsby,? and, in particular, looks at how Jay Gatsby is a man driven to destruction by his love for money. It shows how Fitzgerald is able to weave the dream of love with the American Dream with tremendous success and how the novel is filled with warnings of the degenerative effects of money. It discusses how the complexities involved with America's class structure during the 1920s are colorfully depicted.
From the Paper "What makes Gatsby's character detestable is the fact that he idolizes money and becomes extremely materialistic. We can know this because he shows off his expensive shirt collection to Daisy. It is important to note that Gatsby's materialism is fused with his love for Daisy when Nick says, "He hadn"t once ceased looking at Daisy and I think he revalued everything in his house according to the measure of response it drew from her well-loved eyes? (93). From this statement we can see how his love for money is almost synonymous with his love for Daisy because he cannot separate the two. In addition, it is obvious how Gatsby began to seek approval from Daisy from her responses to his wealth."
Tags: materialism, daisy, nick, american, dream, class
This paper discusses the medical disorder, Parkinson's disease, a slowly progressive, degenerative disease of the nervous system, characterized by tremors, slowness of voluntary movements, and increased muscle rigidity.
Abstract This paper explains that the immediate cause of Parkinson's disease is related to the degeneration of brain cells in the area of the substantia nigra; damage to this area leads to the cluster of symptoms known as Parkinsonism. The author points out that symptoms of Parkinson's disease vary greatly between one patient and another, but the classic tremor associated with PD is referred to as "pill-rolling tremor" in which the movement resembles rolling a pill between the thumb and forefinger. The paper concludes that the prognosis for Parkinson's disease, for which there is no cure despite medical treatment, is not very encouraging because symptoms only worsen over time and become less responsive to drug therapies.
From the Paper "The substantia nigra, or "black substance," is one of the principal movement control centers in the brain. The dopamine released by nerve cells of the substantia nigra stimulates another brain region, the corpus striatum. Without sufficient amounts of dopamine, the corpus striatum cannot control its targets, and so on down the line. Ultimately, the movement patterns of walking, writing, reaching for objects, and other basic programs cannot operate properly, and the symptoms of parkinsonism are the result."
Abstract This paper examines the developing field of stem cell research and the promise it holds for curing many kinds of degenerative diseases. It also considers the moral and ethical dilemma surrounding embryonic stem cell research and explores the future possibility of culturing adult stem cells as an alternative to embryonic stem cells.
From the Paper "Scientists are still trying to understand the differences between stem cells and normal specialized cells. Embryonic stem cells are intriguing in that they can multiply themselves for a long period of time (more than a year) without developing any specialized functions. (Differentiation) Much research that is going on is devoted to understanding the signals, which trigger stem cells to differentiate into different functional cells. Furthermore, knowledge of the different signal mechanisms, which are responsible for differentiation of stem calls into particular cells, would make it possible for us to develop such cells in the laboratory by simulating the same environment. Once this mystery is unraveled it would provide a new insight into clearly understanding the causes for some of the serious diseases caused by cellular anomalies like cancer. This information would also provide scientists with the know-how of controlling stem cell growth in the laboratory."
Abstract This paper examines Parkinson's disease, a chronic, progressive, neuro-degenerative movement disorder. Some of the primary symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease include tremors, rigidity, slow movement, poor balance, and difficulty with walking. In particular, it looks at how many Parkinson's patients suffer from dementia, the loss of intellectual functioning, which is characterized by loss of memory, cognitive functions, and judgment.
From the Paper "Patients suffering from Parkinson's dementia may be confused and disoriented, and are usually unable to be left alone. In addition, they may be agitated, delusional, moody, and disinhibited. They have problems sleeping at night, and often sleep during the day. In many cases, they have little control over urine and stool. The prevalence of dementia in Parkinson disease, including the number of all Parkinson patients with dementia, was analyzed in a series of eight reports from neurology journals, each of which examined at least 100 patients over a thirty-year span (Lieberman, 2002)."
Abstract This paper explains that Alzheimer's is a degenerative disease of the brain that results in memory loss, impaired thinking, difficulty finding the right word when speaking, and personality changes. It explains that it is found predominantly in the elderly population and discusses specific characteristics, symptoms, and treatments. Focus is placed on different treatment options available.
From the Paper "Alzheimer's illness is common in the elderly population. Studies (Knopman, Boeve, & Petersen, 2003) reveal that over three million people living within the United States have been diagnosed with the disease. As a person ages, the condition worsens and usually people having Alzheimer's also have a long life expectancy. Except for advancing age, a family history of Alzheimer's and cardiovascular disease, there is no evidence to support that environmental or health-behavioral factors strikingly increase a person's risk. There continues to be ongoing arguments that the onset of the disease may be a result of low education, head injury, and being of the female sex."
