Abstract
This paper discusses metastatic breast cancer, cancer that originates in the breast and moves to lymph nodes and other bodily tissues. It provides a research study on its treatment using high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) followed by an autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). It analyzes its efficacy and safety as well as some of the arguments that state that the effectiveness of HDC/ASCT may vary according to various non-treatment related factors-- age, stage of disease at diagnosis, hormone receptor status, use of prior adjuvant chemotherapy, initial disease-free interval, response to prior chemotherapy and number and sites of metastases. The paper includes tables of figures and diagrams.

Outline
Abstract
Introduction
Current Research
Efficacy
Safety
Future Prospects

From the Paper
"Stress is another factor affecting treatment outcomes because high levels of stress may directly impact patients; both their mental and physical health. A study on post-traumatic stress disorder in stem cell transplant patients confirmed harmful effects on patients' quality of life. This study was not limited to patients with metastatic breast cancer, but was completed in a similar way as the previously mentioned studies that recorded personal health. Patients were asked to fill out questionnaires to judge if they were suffering from post-traumatic stress as a result of stem cell transplant. It was reported that the week before the transplant, approximately half of the patients had the highest levels of distress, which declined only slightly after the transplant was completed (Wettergren et al., 1999). The body's response to stress is complicated involving several organs, hormones and responses. This is extra energy that the body is expending and is therefore less able to focus on the task of recovery."

Tags:stress, lymph, nodes, disorder, leukemia

Abstract
The paper relates that the type of study is a randomized, controlled trial and the hypothesis is that if repeat doses of antenatal corticosteroids are given to mothers, the doses will affect children's survival and they will be free of serious health problems. The paper discusses how the previous literature was from randomized, controlled trials and showed that there was a reduction in the risk of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome when women took repeat doses of antenatal corticosteroid. Also, the paper relates that children whose mothers took the repeat doses were not likely to get serious neonatal lung disease or suffer from serious neonatal illnesses.

From the Paper
"The title reflects the nature of the study and tells what the study is about. The type of study is a randomized, controlled trial. The hypothesis is that if repeat doses of antenatal corticosteroids are given to mothers, the doses will affect children's survival and they will be free of serious health problems. The previous literature was from randomized, controlled..."

Tags:article, critique, respiratory

Abstract
Zinc in the food supply constitutes a health hazard and can lead to gastric irritation and other symptoms. Zinc is not a great threat in small doses, but it can accumulate in the body over time, as might happen if an individual eats a food regularly that contains high doses of zinc. Zinc and other heavy metals can be poisonous in their ionic form. One food found to contain zinc in higher than desired amounts is fish, and this problem has been increasing as more and more zinc and other metals are expelled as waste products from factories and other sources and make their way into the water supply.

From the Paper
Introduction Zinc in the food supply constitutes a health hazard and can lead to gastric irritation and other symptoms. Zinc is not a great threat in small doses, but it can accumulate in the body over time, as might happen if an individual eats a food regularly that contains high doses of zinc. Zinc and other heavy metals can be poisonous in their ionic form. One food found to contain zinc in higher than desired amounts is fish, and this problem has been increasing as more and more zinc and other metals are expelled as waste products from factories and other sources and make their way into the water supply. These compounds can then affect plant and

Tags:zinc, fish, contamination

Abstract
For years, chocolate has been looked down upon as unhealthy, deemed a candy, slapped with myths and fallacies and prohibited from small children. This paper attempts to prove otherwise by showing how chocolate has been shown to lift depression, help your heart and aid alertness among other benefits and if used properly, chocolate can be a delicacy and a medicine. It examines all aspects of chocolate possible from its production from the cocoa bean, to physiological effects on the brain and body to side effects such as obesity and dental problems.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
A Brief Review of Cocoa
The Cacao Tree (Theobrom Cacao)
What is in the Cocoa Bean?
Making and Eating Chocolate
State of the Art of Cocoa
Is Cocoa Good for You?
Burden of Proof
Chocolate as a Fat
Effects on Blood Lipids
What is OK?
Chocolate, Health and Disease
Chocolate Craving
Migraine
Toxicity
Immune Function
Allergy
Other Disorders
Behavior
Antioxidants
Caffeine
Dental Caries
Migraines
Obesity
Serum Cholesterol
Heart Health
Conclusions

From the Paper
"Cocoa takes it a step further though. Not only does it provide energy for our actions. It supplies chemicals for our personalities and moods. Modern psychology leads us to believe that every thought, every idea that pops into our head is simultaneously a biological reaction. This biological reaction takes the form of chemical processes within our brains. Our mind then interprets these chemical compounds as thoughts, ideas, smells, tastes, touch, etc. Our thoughts, or chemicals compounds within our brain can determine how we feel, our motivation, our goals, our entire lives hinge upon our thoughts, for what are we but what we do. And before we do anything, we must think it. We must have considered it at some point or been subconsciously predisposed to an action or idea."

Tags:cacao, tree, cocoa, bean, fat, migraine, toxicity, craving, health, disease

From the Paper
"Introduction
In several speeches in 1989, the United States Surgeon General indicated that over 2 million women are physically assaulted by their spouses or partners each year (Geffner & Rosenbaum, 1990). The O.J. Simpson trial, despite its many sideshows, managed to place the issue of domestic abuse more firmly on the center stage of public discourse. The growing awareness of the seriousness of the domestic abuse problem has resulted in the legal system taking such cases more seriously. In addition to increased incarceration and punishment, many judges have begun referring men who abuse their partners in domestic abuse intervention programs. However, few studies have been made to assess the effectiveness of such programs. Those studies that have been conducted have only drawn weak..."

Abstract
The paper describes the antimicrobial activity of Vancomycin hydrochloride, a glycopeptide antibiotic that is effective in combating antibiotic-resistant staphylococci and staphylococcal infections. The paper looks at how Vancomycin is absorbed and then relates the regular dosage and the dosage when the patient suffers from renal failure. The paper explains how the dose of vancomycin is also dependent on the type of treatment being received.

From the Paper
"Critically ill patients are at increased risk of contracting Gram-positive nosocomial infections such as Enterococci and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcal aureus, pathogens that are particularly resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Vancomycin hydrochloride is a glycopeptide antibiotic that is effective in combating antibiotic-resistant staphylococci and staphylococcal infections in patients with methicillin- and cephalosporin-resistant organisms or in patients who cannot be given these primary drugs (I-Hong Hsu, 2001). Patients suffering from catheter-related infections secondary to Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis and patients undergoing dialysis are treated with vancomycin. It has been used clinically for over 40 years against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and other Gram-positive bacteria."

Tags:antibiotic, staphylococcal, infections, microorganisms, dialysis

Abstract
The paper discusses how, in the pharmaceutical industry, packaging must be critical to the safety of the patient while also constituting an important safety issue for the handlers of the drugs, such as pharmacists, nurses and doctors. The paper first looks at technology that is critical to the efficiency of the packaging and transportation of products in this industry, such as radio frequency identification (RFID) systems. The paper also discusses the packaging precautions used, features that reduce the likelihood of overdoses or missed doses and features that ensure products are not tampered with. In addition, the paper addresses how packaging should prevent unnecessary waste. Furthermore, the paper emphasizes that in the pharmaceutical industry, the need to ensure the safety of products generally overrides any other concern of the packaging process.

From the Paper
"Pharmaceutical industries have to operate in an environment that is highly competitive and subject to highly stringent regulations by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) within the US and equally rigorous laws globally. This competition spurs the drive to excel and gain market control. This is crucial to a pharmaceutical's survival. In the past, packaging, for many pharmaceutical companies, was frequently an afterthought. This (packaging) stage was considered a final step in manufacturing process only; it was not thought of as an overall value addition stage for the product. Today, packaging is considered very essential in the pharmaceutical industry as it serves as a method to validate and ensure the authenticity of the product."

Tags:precautions, safety, doses, waste, RFID, FDA

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that the use of inhalers to provide insulin to diabetics is a new development in the regulation of diabetes. The writer points out that other systems of treatment all have their own problems and limitations, and the inhaler is no exception. The writer discusses that as nurses are often at the forefront of medical treatment of diabetes, it is necessary for them to understand the reasons for using inhalers and the complications and side effects which occur with this device. The writer maintains that research into inhalers has demonstrated that patients will need supervision in the early stages of using this treatment, particularly with converting their injected doses into inhaled doses, and monitoring carefully to ensure that blood sugar levels remain within acceptable boundaries.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Diabetes and Treatment
Nursing Practice and Traditional Treatments
Inhalers
Nurses
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Insulin pumps are often used by type one diabetics. The pump provides continual insulin therapy by means of a needle inserted, and maintained, in the skin. A pump allows diabetics freedom from strict regimens of meals and exercise, and many diabetics prefer being able to program the pump and then not have to worry about injections and insulin kits. However, since the pump is applied directly to the skin, the risk of infection is quite high. In addition, the pump limits activities in sport, water activities, and so on. There is also the possibility of pump malfunction, meaning that the user may go several hours without insulin unless they monitor their blood sugar levels more frequently than those who inject insulin."

Tags:medication, blood, sugar, treatments

Abstract
This essay discusses how caffeine is a powerful central nervous system stimulant whose effects diminish with increased usage. Larger doses, therefore, become necessary to avoid withdrawal symptoms. The exact mechanisms of caffeine's effects are not well known but are due, in general, to altered levels of certain neurotransmitters and the metabolism of circulating free fatty acids.

Abstract
This paper discusses how one of the most controversial debates to concern the medical profession in recent decades is that of physician assisted suicide, or active euthanasia. It examines how among the multitude of issues and complex arguments that surround the debate, there is one fundamental human right that must be acknowledged, that the individual and not society, has ultimate control over his/her future. It evaluates how when applied to the issue of active suicide, the individual relies on the assistance of a physician in carrying out his/her personal wishes and it is this physician-assistance that draws a great deal of criticism from opponents. It shows how many of the arguments against active suicide are centered upon the area of regulation and potential abuse. It analyzes how in the interest of ensuring the individual's right to self-determination and in order to ensure that active suicide occurs in an environment of security and safety, physicians must be allowed to prescribe lethal doses or combinations of drugs to assist terminally ill patients in suicide.

From the Paper
"Another common argument used to oppose active euthanasia is that, if legalized, there is a great risk of the number of assisted deaths spiraling out of control, with an added danger of unscrupulous families or physicians abusing the system. This "slippery slope" theory owes more to atrocities committed by Hitler's Nazi regime, than to any objective or empirical evidence. The number of people requesting physician-assisted euthanasia would be as small as that which currently persuades others to act illegally in order to ease their suffering. Such an argument displays a frighteningly high level of paranoia, and worryingly low level of faith in the individual's desire for life and in the integrity of the medical profession."

Tags:terminally, ill, drugs, regulation, individual