Abnormal Psychology And Mental Health Essay - 1551 Words

In the management of patients, it is essential ambulance clinicians understand and adhere to the proficiency ethics set out by the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC, 2014). Furthermore, as a student ambulance clinician I now recognise the relevance of possessing non-technical skills as well as an in-depth knowledge of theoretical subjects such as ethics and law, professionalism and abnormal psychology is equally essential for efficient patient care. I have chosen to demonstrate my understanding of this module by focussing on the subject of abnormal psychology, in particular mental ill-health. I was interested in furthering my knowledge of mental ill-health following one shift where my colleague and I were required to treat four patients who had attempted to commit suicide. This essay will begin by defining abnormal psychology and mental health. It will then discuss current statistics regarding mental ill-health as well as discuss causes, the various disorders and how they affect the individual. This essay will then review risk factors that can place an individual at higher probability a mental illness. Furthermore, it will discuss suicide and how the joint royal colleges ambulance liaison committee (JRCALC) suicide and self-harm risk assessment form can be utilised by ambulance clinicians to evaluate patients. This essay will conclude by discussing why knowledge of mental health will benefit me as an ambulance clinician. Comer, 2009 (as cited in Blaber 2012) definesShow MoreRelatedAbnormal Psychology1154 Words   |  5 Pages Abnormal Psychology: The field of abnormal psychology is a scientific discipline that focuses on examining the causes of mental dysfunction or abnormal behavior. Some of the major areas of study in this field include emotional disturbance, psychopathology, mental illness, and maladjustment. This scientific discipline examines abnormal behavior since such actions are expressed due to psychological dysfunction that contains some features of deviance, potential injury, and distress. As various typesRead MoreAbnormal Psychology and Therapy: Physical Illnesses and Disorders1228 Words   |  5 PagesAbnormal Psychology and Therapy If you have an infection, you go to the doctor. There are many different treatments for any number of physical illnesses and disorders, but what if the illness or disorder is in your mind? For psychology to have any validity as a science, research must show there is a common way to think, react, and feel amongst humans; uniform mental processes. So far, research has shown that one can study the behaviors of a small group and compare them to a larger population;Read MorePerception Of Abnormal Psychology And Psychopathology774 Words   |  4 Pagesof abnormal psychology and psychopathology and the implicit assumptions of both terms. Considering abnormal psychology is an alternative definition of psychopathology, it is assumed they are different in the eyes of society. Psychopathology is a term focused on the psyche (mind, soul) and a disorder (dysfunction, diseased, unhealthy and illness). It is also based from deviations from statistical and social norms along with maladaptive behavior, distress and impairment. Although abnormal psychologyRead MoreThe Effect Of Taking An Abnormal Psychology Class On Students1748 Words   |  7 Pagesnot really have any certain topic within abnormal psychology in mind. I thought the best approach was to start broad and look through articles and see if something stuck out to me as interesting or unique. By doing this method I located two very different articles on PSYCHinfo to examine. The first that I am going to be summarizing and talking about is an article that explained an experiment that was ran to test the effects of taking an abnormal psychology class on students. This experiment basicallyRead MoreDonnie Darko/ Abnormal Psycology762 Words   |  4 Pages Psychology 101/ Extra Credit April 28th, 2012 Donnie Darko/Abnormal Psychology Donnie Darko is a movie about a young teen that experienced many abnormal things in his life that are said to be associated with a psychological disorder. BasicallyRead MoreThe Effects Of Abnormal Behavior On The Context Of Psychology1394 Words   |  6 PagesDavidson and Neale suggested the following attributes of abnormal psychology: â€Å"Abnormal psychology includes such characteristics as statistical infrequently, violation of [societal] norms, personal distress, disability or dysfunction, and unexpectedness† (Davidson and Neale, 2). In my view, the definition of abnormal behaviour in the context of psychology has three parts. First, there must be an observable manifestation of abnormality. You must be able to observe the â€Å"disturbance in an individualRead MoreAbnormal Psychology Essay1646 Words   |  7 PagesAbstract The following paper includes such topics of normal and abnormal psychology. Discussed with these topics are definitions of each as well as the similarities and differences between them both. Included here also is a discussion and explanation of two mental disorders and two mental illnesses all taken from the psychology perspective. As the reader will see, normal and abnormal psychology as well as the mental disorders and illnesses are common issues that could happen to any person or affectRead MoreAbnormal Psychology Essay855 Words   |  4 PagesAbnormal Psychology Abnormal psychology in the area within psychology that is focused on maladaptive behavior-its causes, consequences, and treatment. Abnormal psychology deals with how it feels to be different, the meanings the get attached to being different, and how society deals with people whom it considers to be different. The spectrum of differences is wide, ranging from reality defying delusions and severe debilitations to worries and behavioral quirks that we would be better off notRead MoreHistorical Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology1163 Words   |  5 PagesHistorical Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology Abnormal Psychology PSY 410 January 30, 2012 Historical Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology For many years, various forms of madness have been noted in every culture. Multitudes of theories, as well as some myths, have been developed to explain such conditions. Society’s opinion on what was considered abnormal was based on such phenomenon as paranormal forces, the anger of the gods, the influence of the moon, unstable personality, hereditaryRead MoreBasic Theories and Techniques of Abnormal Psychology1743 Words   |  7 PagesTechniques of Abnormal Psychology Introduction Today, several facts about the thoughts and behaviors of the human beings have been established. These owe their emergence to the development of the field of psychological theories. These theories have been advanced over time through learning and repeated evaluation; this resulting in the study of abnormal psychological. A person whose character and behavior are far different from the norm is considered to be abnormal. Therefore, abnormal psychology, simply

The Cold War And The Soviet Union - 1073 Words

During the 1970s, the Cold War had quieted down for a bit and there were even negotiations of peace talks. That all changed when the Soviet Union occupied Afghanistan in favor of the communist side while the USA were aiding the anti-communist side. Eventually America pulled out of Afghanistan and went home, but the tension that was there continued through the 1980 Olympic Games. The Soviet Union dominated in the sport of hockey for several years and won gold medals multiple times, but what satisfied them the most was beating team USA every time they faced. The USSR wanted to show their dominance and their pride every time they faced USA. That’s why the miracle on ice game was more than just an underdog story, it was the second Cold War. â€Å"The Olympics are hardly apolitical. Nothing is apolitical in this world. The Olympics are the last thing,† Mansbach said. â€Å"So in a sense, the hockey match was a Cold War, literally and figuratively.† Draped in the irony of the Cold War playing out on actual ice, the U.S. pulled off the improbable upset and continued on to beat Finland in the gold medal game. â€Å"It enhances the reputation of the administration, even though it had nothing to do with it. Simply, citizens bathed in the glow [of the win] that somehow capitalism, Americans [and] the free world had won some type of significant, symbolic victory,† Mansbach said. The account of the United States Olympic Hockey group has been introduced as highlight movies, documentaries and books. TheShow MoreRelatedThe Cold War And The Soviet Union973 Words   |  4 PagesThe Cold War was a state of economic, diplomatic, and ideological discord among nations without armed conflict. The Cold War was between the United States and the USSR because these were the two major powers after WWII. Basically, the Cold War was a series of proxy wars that had taken place back in time involving surrounding countries. One of the main causes for Cold War was that the Soviet Union was spreading communism and the United States didn’t like that so they were trying to contain communismRead MoreThe Cold War And The Soviet Union1233 Words   |  5 PagesThe Cold War is unique among war’s to be not a war between states, but a war between ideologies. The United States and other allies defend social democracy capitalism, as the pinnacle of freedom and equality; and the Soviet Union though communism was the pinnacle of equality. These ideologies manifested themselves through the superpowers, which caused the conflict between them. Both the United States, and the Soviet Union are to blame for the outbreak of the Cold War. The United State’s missionRead MoreThe Cold War And The Soviet Union1697 Words   |  7 PagesThe Cold War, in fact didn’t take place in the winter season, but was just as dangerously cold and unwelcoming, as it focused on two contrasting powers: the U.S. and the Soviet Union. After World War 2, the Cold War influenced capitalist U.S. and communist Soviet Union to engage in disagreements causing many disputes having to use military, economic and humanitarian aid. With different goals, the contrasting powers prove through the Marshall Plan, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and SALT that communismRead MoreThe Cold War And Soviet Union840 Words   |  4 PagesThere are many theories and opinions of how the cold war start ed. Some believe that the cold war was the result of the belligerence of Joseph Stalin and the insecurity it caused in the United States and the West. Others believe the primary responsibility for the cold war derives from the hardline policies of the United States. (Viewpoints Article: the Soviet Union Start the Cold War) I believe The Cold War was triggered by the theory of two superpower countries in a race for dominance in the worldRead MoreCold War And The Soviet Union859 Words   |  4 PagesAMS2270 Cold War This essay will discuss about cold war, including the background, beginning, progress and ending. As we know, cold war is a struggle between U.S. with NATO and Soviet Union with WTO from 1947 to 1991. It is a significant event in history, and it influence the almost all of world, it directly lead to the radical change of eastern Europe and the breakup of the USSR. In 1946 February, George.F.Kennan wrote a â€Å"Long Telegram†, it clearly said the strategy of containing Soviets and itRead MoreThe Cold War On The Soviet Union1230 Words   |  5 PagesThe Cold War’s effect on the Soviet Union Shortly after the World War 2 ended, the United States and its North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies entered the cold war with the Soviet Union. Germany was divided in half and later, the Berlin Wall was constructed as a physical boundary between the Soviet controlled East Germany and NATO controlled West Germany. This standoff continued until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. The cold war had a huge influence on the world stage, but also had a majorRead MoreThe Cold War And The Soviet Union1391 Words   |  6 Pageswake of World War II as the decades-long force of Germany’s reign came to its conclusion, an extensive repositioning of authority among the world’s top powers began. The war wielded devastating consequences for most countries involved and effectively diminished the dominance Britain and France once employed across the globe. Out of this devastation rose the two new dominating forces of the world who were triumphant in the aftermath of the war: the U nited States and the Soviet Union. The United StatesRead MoreThe Cold War And The Soviet Union Essay965 Words   |  4 PagesThe Cold War was a period in world history marked with increased tensions primarily between the United States and the Soviet Union. Both countries desired to expand their ideologies across the globe, the U.S. urging capitalism and democratic elections and the Soviets promoting communism. After the allies had obtained victory in World War II, the Yalta Conference was held. Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, wanted to expand his sphere of influence into Eastern Europe and demanded thatRead MoreThe Cold War And The Soviet Union1343 Words   |  6 PagesAbstract: As one of the most important events in 20th century, the Cold War had a very deep influence for the human-being civilization and it changed the world structure . The United States and the Soviet Union ,the two poles, became enemies from friends after the World War II. They adopt hostile attitude towards each other and criticized the the opponents’ social systems. To find out who provoked the Cold War, the US, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdoms ,Roosevelt, Truman ,Stalin, and ChurchillRead MoreThe Soviet Union Of The Cold War1745 Words   |  7 Pages During the era of the Cold War, starting in 1947 and definitively ending in 1991, the United States and the Soviet Union faced off in conflicts with each other through smaller states. The United States and Soviet Union faced off to see who could spread their ideology the most in Europe. The Soviet Union used force and supported coups to spread communism while the United States installed democratic governments as a way to counter communism in Eastern Europe. These small conflicts that the two superpowers

Molecular Mechanisms, Symptoms and Treatments in Cystic Fibrosis Free Essays

string(121) " to act quickly and maybe prevent other more serious problems, related to cystic fibrosis developing later in life\[7\]\." Introduction Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder currently affecting over 9000 people living in the United Kingdom alone, with millions of people carrying the faulty recessive gene responsible for the disease. This essay is split into 4 distinct sections, firstly looking at the faulty gene and its effects on the organs of the body, followed by an in-depth look at the symptoms of patients suffering with cystic fibrosis, whereas the third section will look at the treatments available to sufferers. The forth section will contain potential future cures and treatments for the cystic fibrosis. We will write a custom essay sample on Molecular Mechanisms, Symptoms and Treatments in Cystic Fibrosis or any similar topic only for you Order Now Molecular Mechanisms The faulty gene that codes for cystic fibrosis affects organs such as the lungs and pancreas. This fault causes high mucosal build up in these organs. Noticeably with regards to the lungs as the high volume of mucous can cause severe breathing difficulties. The cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) protein is coded for by the CFTR gene, in chromosome 7 of the human genome. CFTR is a glycoprotein made up of 1480 amino acids consisting of 5 domains. The CFTR protein is responsible for a variety of functions in the apical membranes of cells including the transport of chloride ions, regulation of the sodium ion channels and the regulation of hydrogen carbonate ion transport across the apical membrane[3]. However, it seems that the main contributing factor to cystic fibrosis is the transportation of chloride ions across the apical membrane and sodium ion regulation. Mutations in the CFTR gene can be categorized into 6 classes; depending on the effect they have on the production of the CFTR protein. The mutations are listed below in Figure 1, with the consequence of the mutation on the CFTR protein. Mutation NumberConsequence of Mutation INot synthesised IIInadequately processed IIINot regulated IVShows abnormal conductance VPartially defective production VIAccelerated degradation Figure 1 – Table showing the Mutation Number and the Consequence of the mutation on the CFTR protein The mutations stated in figure 1, either cause the CFTR protein to become ineffective or prevents synthesis altogether. Classes I and III prevent synthesis of the CFTR protein, whereas other mutations cause problems in the production of the protein. Class II mutations effects can vary from the CFTR protein being completely dysfunctional to significantly reduced function depending on the patient. Class IV and Class V mutations do not cause the CFTR protein to cease working, but do have a derogatory effect on their function. Class VI mutations cause before-time degradation of the protein meaning reduced function. One of the consequences of the CFTR protein not functioning in cystic fibrosis patients is a high concentration of chloride ions developing in the intracellular space, as well as little regulation of sodium ions entering the cell. Under normal circumstances water would diffuse out the cell and contribute to the airway surface liquid as the concentrations of chloride and sodium ions would be higher in the extracellular space. However with a defective CFTR gene the osmotic gradient is reversed. Thus leading to a high ion concentration within the cell and depletion in the airway surface liquid. Cilia are small hair like projections in the respiratory tract which are responsible for wafting the mucous up the respiratory tract so it can be swallowed and infection averted. Mucous is one of the body’s primary physical defences against bacterial infection. Pathogens capable of causing respiratory disease are caught on the mucous in the respiratory tract and eventually swallowed with the aid of cilia thus avoiding the entry of pathogens into the lungs and causing bacterial infection. Airway surface liquid also prevents infection by facilitating the movement of mucous up the respiratory tract. However when there is depletion in airway surface liquid, the cilia are also affected. The mucous therefore needs to be of low viscosity so it can be easily moved up the respiratory tract. However, due to the lack of airway surface liquid in a patient with cystic fibrosis the mucous becomes static and more viscous leading to bacterial infections in the lungs. Cystic Fibrosis does not just affect the lungs in some cases. Occasionally, the pancreas and in the case of men, reproductive organs can be affected. This all depends on which class of mutation of the CFTR gene the patient has as patients with Class I, II and III are prone to pancreatic insufficiency3. In normal pancreatic exocrine secretion, the digestive enzymes secreted from pancreatic gland cells, are mixed with a bicarbonate-rich fluid, secreted from duct cells and released into the small intestine to aid in the digestion of food. The function of the pancreatic gland cells remains fairly constant, but there is a noticeable difference in secretion of the bicarbonate-rich fluid from the duct cells. Thickening secretions causes the duct releasing fluids into the small intestine becomes blocked by enzymes precipitating as well as mucosal build up. With the ducts becoming more blocked, the pressure inside the pancreas increases and as the pancreas lacks structures aiding in support i s therefore very prone to damage. Symptoms Cystic fibrosis effects different organs around the body and therefore gives rise to a vast range of symptoms. The organs most heavily affected by cystic fibrosis are the lungs and the pancreas, and in males, the reproductive organs are affected. The most obvious indication that a patient may have cystic fibrosis would be a family history of the disease. As cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder, the faulty recessive gene can be passed to children. Due to the gene being recessive, it is possible for parents to be a carrier for cystic fibrosis but not express any symptoms themselves. Therefore if both parents are carriers of the gene, then there is a 25% chance of the offspring having cystic fibrosis. From 2009 onwards it is required for new-born babies in the USA to be screened for genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis. If positive, it gives doctors an opportunity to act quickly and maybe prevent other more serious problems, related to cystic fibrosis developing later in life[7]. You read "Molecular Mechanisms, Symptoms and Treatments in Cystic Fibrosis" in category "Essay examples" Other common symptoms that are shown by most ages are salty tasty skin, clubbing of the fingers and toes, coughing with sputum production, mucoi d Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from airway secretions and hypochloraemic metabolic alkalosis[8]. The symptoms shown by the patient are also different depending on their age. Figure 2 shows a table listing the symptoms by age they become prevalent. NeonatalInfancyChildhoodAdolescence and Adulthood Meconium ileusPersistent infiltrates on chest radiographs Chronic pansinusitis or nasal polyposisAllergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis Protracted jaundiceFailure to thriveSteatorrhoea Chronic pansinusitis or nasal polyposis Abdominal or scrotal calcificationsAnasarca or hypoproteinaemiaRectal prolapseBronchiectasis Intestinal atresiaChronic diarrhoeaDistal intestinal obstruction syndrome or intussusceptionHaemoptysis Abdominal distentionIdiopathic recurrent or chronic pancreatitisIdiopathic recurrent pancreatitis CholestasisLiver diseasePortal hypertension Staphylococcus aureus pneumoniaDelayed puberty Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (vitamin A deficiency)Azoospermia secondary to congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens Haemolytic anaemia Figure 2 – Depending on the age of the patient, different symptoms for Cystic Fibrosis will be apparent shown in the table above8 As shown in Figure 2, cystic fibrosis has a big effect on many parts of the body. However, the main problem for a patient with cystic fibrosis remains pulmonary disease and the effect of the gastrointestinal problems which arise. Innate defence mechanisms like the physical barrier provided by the mucous, lining the respiratory tract, is inefficient at its function in a patient with cystic fibrosis. This therefore leads high levels of bacterial infection and inflammation. The bacterial infections begin soon after birth with Staphylococcus aureus and Haemophilus in?uenzae usually being the pioneer bacteria causing primary infection in the lungs of a patient. It has been suggested that these bacteria are responsible for damaging the epithelial surface cells and therefore aiding other bacteria bind to the surface, however this is still under debate by scientists. However, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the organism responsible for the later, fatal infections that cause the highest mortality rate in patients with cystic fibrosis. The CFTR protein not only has functions transporting ions, but it is also thought to have a role in binding molecules of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In a normal individual, Pseudomonas aeruginosa binds to the CFTR protein, and a rapid and self-limiting in?ammatory response9 occurs removing the infection from the respiratory tract. This explains why Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the main causative agent of pulmonary disease in cystic fibrosis sufferers. Symptoms of cystic fibrosis caused by gastrointestinal problems are mainly caused by the inability to digest food. As mentioned above the ducts leading to the small intestine, which would carry a liquid, containing digestive enzymes is blocked. This causes the pancreas to come pressure and gets damaged. The symptoms caused by this inability to digest food are greasy stools, flatulence, abdominal bloating, and poor weight gain8. At the time of its discovery, malnutrition was the main cause of death due to the inability to produce the enzymes in the pancreas to digest food. Malnutrition can now be treated using pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy8, however other factors like the poor adsorption of fat soluble vitamins can lead to acrodermatitis, anaemia, night blindess, neuropathy, osteoporosis and bleeding disorders8. A high percentage of Cystic fibrosis patients can develop Cystic Fibrosis related Diabetes Mellitus (CFRD) due to the pancreatic damage that is done by the blocking of the ducts within in the pancreas. The Islet of Langerhans produces insulin and glucagon to regulate blood glucose concentrations. Insulin stimulates the formation of glycogen, removing glucose from the blood stream whereas glucagon stimulates the breakdown of glycogen. With the pancreas undergoing autolysis, it is inevitable that these cells will become damaged and unable to produce a sufficient amount of insulin. However, CFRD is different to diabetes mellitus I and II. The specific symptoms affected by cystic fibrosis are glucose metabolism, acute and chronic infection, glucagon deficiency, liver dysfunction, decreased intestinal transit time, and increased work of breathing8. Cystic fibrosis also affects male reproduction. In the male reproduction organs, the vas deferens is responsible for the transfer of sperm from the epididymis in anticipation of ejaculation8. Male patients with cystic fibrosis lack this muscular tube and therefore there is no sperm in their ejaculate. Women however are fertile, but careful control of nutritional intake must be taken to ensure the full term of pregnancy and subsequent birth can be achieved. I can be possible for parents to pass the gene for cystic fibrosis onto their children. As a man expressing the disease being infertile the recessive gene must come from a carrier of cystic fibrosis but not expressing any symptoms. If the female sufferers from cystic fibrosis then there is a 50% chance that the child will also have the disease. However if the female is also a carrier of the recessive gene then there is a 25% chance that the child will have cystic fibrosis. Current Treatments As it stands at the moment, cystic fibrosis cannot be cured. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease, and therefore there is an error in the DNA of cells of an individual apart from their gametes. This means that the only available option to sufferers is to find drugs to treat the various symptoms. However in recent years there have been successful attempts to find drugs to resolve the original defects. Patients with cystic fibrosis often suffer from severe pulmonary infections, as they are less efficient at swallowing mucous containing pathogens. The airway surface liquid and cilia, as discussed above are responsible for the movement of mucous up the respiratory tract in a normal individual. Cystic fibrosis sufferers lack the required volume of airway surface liquid. One such treatment, looking to solve the problem caused by the faulty gene is hypertonic saline. Hypertonic saline is the current drug used to bring about an increase in the volume of airway surface liquid in the lungs of the patients. It has been shown by researchers that in vitro, hypertonic saline is effective with rehydrating and providing more airway surface liquid8. If from an early age there is aid with mucosal clearance from the respiratory tract, it would reduce the chances of the patient developing severe bacterial infections from pathogens such as pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antibiotics are also important to control pulmonary bacterial infections that occur from poor mucosal clearance. Macrolide antibiotics are cheap antibiotics used to treat cystic fibrosis sufferers. They work by inhibiting the bacteria protein biosynthesis; however the precise mechanism they use is currently not fully understood. Macrolides have a dual function in the cystic fibrosis treatment. They affect cytokine production of many cell types and are therefore effective as anti-inflammatory agents8. One study showed that taking azithromycin three times a week reduced the virulence factor production, decreased biofilm production, bactericidal effects on pseudomonas aeruginosa growing in stationary phase8. Patients with gastrointestinal symptoms brought about by cystic fibrosis require other forms of treatment, as they unable to produce enough enzymes to digest their food. Enzymes are usually secreted from the pancreas into the small intestine, allowing the individual to digest their food. However a patient with pancreatic insufficiency is unable to secrete the enzymes into the small intestine due to the intrapancreatic ducts being blocked. This needs to be treated as patients are at risk of severe malnutrition if food cannot be fully digested. Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Theory (PERT) is used to treat this problem. The enzymes used in PERT are taken with every meal to aid in the absorption of food in the small intestine. This does not solve the underlying problem caused by cystic fibrosis, and can only treat the symptoms. This is because the enzymes do not last for a great deal of time in the body; the reason why enzymes must be taken with every meal. Chest physiotherapy can aid in the treatment of a sufferer as it can help in mucosal clearance from the pulmonary tract[11]. Some methods focus on the way the patient breathes which include active cycle of breathing techniques, and autogenic drainage11. However some techniques focus on actual mucosal clearance like positive expiratory pressure (PEP) oscillating positive expiratory pressure11. The final and most severe treatment used to use the chronic pulmonary disease is lung transplantation. This procedure comes with high risk with only 50% children surviving 5 years after the transplant and 50% of adults surviving 6 years after the transplant8. Future Treatments As of yet there is no cure for cystic fibrosis, however there are promising new drugs on the horizon which could one day all but cure the genetic disease. A drug that is combatting the â€Å"basic defect† of cystic fibrosis is VX-770 made by Vertex pharmaceuticals. This drug is currently undergoing trials in the United States of America and is showing promise for improving lung function in those affected by cystic fibrosis. The drug itself targets the chlorine channels in the apical membrane, opening them to allow chlorine to leave the epithelial cells. Results from the recent Phase 3 clinical trials showed that there was a 10% increase in lung function in people aged 12 and above, and a 12.5% increase in lung function for those from ages 6 to 11. The drug also decreased the concentration of chlorine in sweat and allowed the patients taking the drug to gain on average 7 pounds12. Pancreatic insufficiency usually makes it hard for the cystic fibrosis patient to gain weight, meaning the drug has an effect on gastrointestinal symptoms as well as respiratory symptoms. The idea of gene therapy is a concept that has been around for a while. The Cystic fibrosis gene therapy consortium was set up in 2001 to focus on developing new ways to combat cystic fibrosis and the symptoms. In February 2009, the consortium made a step closer to find a â€Å"gene therapy cure† for cystic fibrosis. They managed to insert successfully, a working CFTR gene into a viral vector, which was then transported into the lungs of a cystic fibrosis patient. Whereas the idea itself is good, there are some drawbacks. The viral vector itself comes under attack from the immune system as well as viral vectors being poor at inserting DNA into epithelial cells8. Therefore the The Cystic fibrosis gene therapy consortium has been looking at using lipid vectors currently with little success. They have reported that currently gene expression in the cells that do take up the gene is currently temporary and they are looking into methods to provide sustained gene expression in the ep ithelial cells. Not all mutations cause the CFTR protein not to be synthesised. Some mutations cause the CFTR protein to be marked for degradation as the chaperones, aiding with folding the protein, do not dissociate from the protein8. There have been tests in labs using chemicals such as phenylbutyrate8, however any further developments in this field of research. Conclusion It is remarkable how such a small difference in the DNA of an individual can have so much effect on the patients’ health. However the future looks bright for those patients suffering with cystic fibrosis. There is a huge amount of research taking place in order to find new treatments and potential cures for the disease. Recently, research has shifted from looking for ways to treat the symptoms, to methods of treating the underlying problems behind the disease. For example a drug called VX-770 made by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, focuses on the inefficient chlorine channels in the epithelial cells. If cystic fibrosis remains a continually financially backed area of research, there is no reason why significant progress cannot be made sooner rather than later. How to cite Molecular Mechanisms, Symptoms and Treatments in Cystic Fibrosis, Essay examples

Sample notice for conference free essay sample

Every discussion class requires a Reaction Paper from every student (including Discussion Leaders). Each paper is worth a maximum of two points. Papers must be submitted in person at the beginning of the class period in which they are due. Purpose: Reaction Papers have a three-part purpose. First they are intended to demonstrate your comprehension of the assigned readings that will be discussed in class on discussion days. They will help you keep track of important ideas that you will need to review again in preparing your Senior Thesis. Most importantly, they are intended for you to give your reaction to the assigned readings. Format: Papers must be at least double-spaced one page in length and no more than two pages (250-500 words). It must have a title, your name, page numbering, and consistent use of footnotes/references. Proofreading for grammatical errors is expected and plays a role in the evaluation of papers. We will write a custom essay sample on Sample notice for conference or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Make sure that your paper is in the form of an essay with an introduction, body and conclusion. If you wish to discuss your work, please contact Prof. McLean by phone or email or office hours. Procedure: Your Reaction Paper should demonstrate comprehension of the weeks assigned readings and contain a critical and thoughtful reaction to the reading. Reaction should make up the majority of the Reaction Paper. There are a number of ways you might approach the task of reaction to the readings. a. Focus on an aspect of the reading that you will argue pertains to some issue or idea we have discussed in class. Does the reading support, undermine or come into tension with previous issues or concepts? Explain why it is significant. b. Focus on a particular theme or issue raised by the reading and give your own perspective on it. Be sure to elaborate on your opinion. What is your thinking based on? What are the strengths and the weaknesses of the main sides of the issue, as you see it? Do you have any  personal experience that is relevant to the issue? What to Avoid: A Reaction Paper is NOT a book report! You must give some brief summary of the reading in order to write a good paper, but only summarize what is necessary to write your reaction. It is also important to avoid vague impressions about the reading. Base everything you say in something specific in the reading, such as a quote, or a concept or an argument. Dig into something solid. Make sure you make proper reference to these specific details.