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...

Tags:osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, actin, myosin, intestinal villi

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."

Tags:insulin, calories, diet, drugs, pain, control, exercise, Metformin, Gemfibrozil

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)."

Tags:molecule, embryo, fetus, gene

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.

Tags:acoustics, perception speech

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
This paper describes the symptoms, the research, and the diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease. The paper explains the symptoms and stages of Alzheimer's, the medication available to Alzheimer patients which slows the onset, but does not cure the disease, the method of diagnosis, which is through the elimination of other possible illnesses rather than positive identification of the disease, and the ongoing research into Alzheimer's disease of which there is biologically-based research and a cognitive-behavioral approach to research.

From the Paper
"Alzheimer's Disease currently affects more than four million Americans. Alzheimer's is a disease characterized by the progressive degeneration of areas within the brain, resulting in cognitive and physical decline that will eventually lead to death. It is important to emphasize that Alzheimer's disease (AD) is not a normal part of aging. Although AD typically appears in those over sixty-five, it is a neurodegenerative disease, quite distinct from any aging-related cognitive decline. Because Alzheimer's is eventually fatal, and because the decline typical of an Alzheimer's patient is so devastating, much research is currently being done to investigate potential treatments. With the elderly population the fastest growing segment of North American society, Alzheimer's threatens to be an even greater health concern in the future decades. For patients exhibiting mild cognitive impairment, research is being done on ways to slow the disease's progression. The two main thrusts of Alzheimer's research are biological, which seeks to determine organic, systemic contributing factors to the disease, and cognitive-behavioral, which examines whether the disease can be held at bay by engaging the brain in novel functions. Pharmaceutically, there are a few drugs approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's. These drugs just postpone the dementia-related declines, however, they don't offer any cure."

Tags:progressive, dementia, impaired, memory, function, inattention, aging, altered, personality

Abstract
This paper examines the underlying genetic cause and the resulting muscular infirmities of people suffering from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). The paper discusses the patient's and caregiver's coping mechanisms. An overview is presented of the diagnosis, diet and treatment options available.

From the Paper
"Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is the most commonly occurring muscular degenerative disorder among the more than 20 different varieties of muscular dystrophies. This disease has an incidence rate of 1 case in every 3500 boys. [Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory] It is a genetically inherited disease which affects only the male sex and is characterized by gradual weakening of the muscles. Like other muscular dystrophies DMD is a progressive disease creating postural imbalances and difficulties in movements. Though, primarily a disease that results in physical handicaps, in some cases, cognitive impairments may also be manifest. DMD is a fatal disease and very few people survive the disease into their thirties. The absence of any cure for the disease implies severe psychological implications for both the caregivers and the patient. "

Tags:genetic, weakening, progressive

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."

Tags:degeneration, pill-rolling, tremor, substantia-nigra, therapies

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 explains that the exact cause for the onset of Parkinson's disease has not yet been clearly established, though a combination of factors, such as accelerated aging, oxidative stress, environmental toxins and neurotoxins, and genetic predisposition, may be responsible. The author points out that the medical treatment of Parkinson's disease is broadly divided under two main categories, namely, stereotactic surgical techniques such as thalamotomy, pallidotomy, and deep brain stimulation, and pharmacological treatments using anticholinergic drugs. This paper states that skilled nursing plays an indispensable role in delivering good, symptomatic management in a long-term patient-care setting.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Pathophysiology of Parkinson's Disease
Etiology
Symptoms and Complications
Medical Treatment
Patient Education and Care (Nursing Intervention)

From the Paper
"The debilitating effects of Parkinson's disease, requires efficient nursing care. Nurses play an important part in educating the patient about the long-term effects of the disease, the possible complications, and side effects of the continuous use of medicines and in assisting them to successfully manage the symptoms. The positive therapeutic effects of a loving and supportive nursing care cannot be understated. Especially for very old people who require long-term care, nurses play a vital role in overseeing the nutritional interventions, studying the functional status and the daily progress and in effectively managing other complications (like Orthostatic hypotension, Dysphagia) which are common in advanced stages."

Tags:debilitating, teatment, surgery, dopamine, management