Monday, November 25, 2019

MRSA †Staph Bacteria

MRSA – Staph Bacteria Free Online Research Papers MRSA is by definition a strain of Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to a large group of antibiotics called the beta-lactams, which include the penicillins and the cephalosporins. In breaking that down, it is easier to just state that MRSA is a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics. MRSA can be fatal. The MRSA bacteria are commonly found on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Staph bacteria are present in the nose of approximately 25% to 30% of the population without causing an infection, while MRSA is present in only about 1 percent of people. Most MRSA infections occur in hospitals or other health care settings, such as nursing homes and dialysis centers. Its known as health care-associated MRSA, or HA-MRSA. Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at most risk of HA-MRSA. More recently, another type of MRSA has occurred among otherwise healthy people in the wider community. This form, community-associated MRSA, or CA-MRSA, is responsible for serious skin and soft tissue infections and for a serious form of pneumonia. Staph skin infections, including MRSA, generally start as small red bumps that resemble pimples, boils or spider bites. These can quickly turn into deep, painful abscesses that require surgical draining. Sometimes the bacteria remain confined to the skin. One major problem with MRSA is that occasionally the skin infection can spread to almost any other organ in the body. When this happens, more severe symptoms develop. MRSA that spreads to internal organs can become life-threatening. Fever, chills, low blood pressure, joint pains, severe headaches, shortness of breath, and rash over most of the body are symptoms that need immediate medical attention, especially when associated with skin infections. Both hospital- and community associated strains of MRSA still respond to certain medications. In hospitals and care facilities, doctors often rely on the antibiotic vancomycin to treat resistant germs. CA-MRSA may be treated with vancomycin or other antibiotics that have proved effective against particular strains. Although vancomycin saves lives, it may become less effective as well. Some hospitals are already seeing strains of MRSA that are less easily killed by vancomycin. In some cases, antibiotics may not be necessary. For example, doctors may drain a superficial abscess caused by MRSA rather than treat the infection with drugs. Infection control is key to stopping MRSA in hospitals. Steps health care workers can take include: PROPER HANDWASHING! Covering coughs and sneezes Staying up-to-date with immunizations Using gloves, masks and protective clothing Making tissues and hand cleaners available Following hospital guidelines when dealing with blood or contaminated items To prevent community-associated MRSA: Practice good hygiene Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages Avoid sharing personal items, such as towels, washcloths, razors, or clothes Wash soiled sheets, towels and clothes in hot water with bleach and dry in a hot dryer There are two major ways people become infected with MRSA. The first is physical contact with someone who is either infected or is a carrier. The second way is for people to physically contact MRSA on any objects such as door handles, floors, sinks, or towels that have been touched by an MRSA-infected person or carrier. Normal skin tissue in people usually does not allow MRSA infection to develop; however, if there are cuts, abrasions, or other skin flaws such as psoriasis MRSA may grow. Many otherwise healthy individuals, especially children and young adults, do not notice small skin imperfections or scrapes and may be lax in taking precautions about skin contacts. This is the likely reason MRSA outbreaks occur in diverse types of people such as school team players (like football players or wrestlers), dormitory residents, and armed-services personnel in constant close contact. People with higher risk of MRSA infection are those with obvious skin breaks (surgical patients, hospital patients with intravenous lines, burns, or skin ulcers) and patients with depressed immune systems (infants, elderly, or HIV-infected individuals) or chronic diseases (diabetes or cancer). Patients with pneumonia due to MRSA can transmit MRSA by airborne droplets. Health-care workers as a group are repeatedly exposed to MRSA-positive patients and can have a high rate of infection if precautions are not taken. Health-care workers and patient visitors should use disposable masks, gowns, and gloves when they enter the MRSA-infected patients room. In conclusion, MRSA can be fatal, but is also very preventable. Using good hygiene measures, (especially hand washing), will greatly reduce the risk of spreading. Research Papers on MRSA - Staph BacteriaSexually Transmitted DiseasesGenetic EngineeringInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationHip-Hop is ArtDefinition of Export QuotasA Marketing Analysis of the Fast-Food RestaurantThe Fifth Horseman19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug Use

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Unilever Group - analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Unilever Group - analysis - Essay Example Unilever Group - analysis Dove gives equal attention to the skin care needs of men and women alike. Unilever is a proponent of hygiene and well being and due to this it targets house wives in order to make them believe that their families are safe and healthy with Unilever products. It’s ice cream brands such Ben & Jerry’s and Wall’s are for all age groups (children, young and elderly). Knorr’s noodles are enjoyed children mostly. St. Ives is a beauty products line that has scrubs, lotions and proteins etc. and caters to women of 18 years plus. Lipton is consumed in the Asian region majorly and so people from the age of 20+ are catered here, as children are not very fond of tea. Unilever targets its customers through its principles of health, hygiene, personal care and nutrition. It focuses on hygiene and personal care specifically and for this the average housewife is targeted (Brand Source, 2009). One of the Unilever’s founding companies was Level Bros and in 1980’s William Hesketh came up with the idea for Sunlight Soap, which later proved to be his revolutionary product in Victorian England in terms of hygiene and cleanliness. The idea was to promote cleanliness, make women’s work easier, and promote a culture of health and personal attractiveness in order to convey the message that people who used Unilever products were living a better life. Around this time, the term Corporate Mission was not there but these ideas would have come under it had it been there. The fact only women are responsible for doing housework has become trite and obsolete. Unilever USA is a subsidiary of the multinational conglomerate, The Unilever Group (which has 10 companies operational as of now in the USA). Unilever USA is the largest company among the ten subsidiaries of the Unilever Group in USA and is primarily a consumer goods company distributing well known branded product s through grocery, drug, mass merchant and club channels. It has revenues worth $4 billion and if one of the top-notch fast moving consumer goods companies in the USA. However over the past ten years, profits for Unilever USA have not been very great. Due to an accounting change only, there was a profit last year (ConsultingCase, 2012). Unilever has a history that is three centuries old and remarkable events like economic boom, depression, world wars, changing consumer lifestyles and technological advancements have played an important role in it. This history is also marked by Unilever’s efforts to make life easier and enjoyable for its consumers by helping them save time (by reducing time spent on house work, nutritional concerns etc.). Besides that Unilever has also been able to balance its profits with care and social responsibility. During the 19th century, the founding companies of Unilever were the most charitable among others. They designed projects especially to impro ve their workers and their products were also designed in a manner such that they had social benefits. These products prioritized hygiene, personal care, and nutrition (was improved by adding vitamins to staple foods). Up till now, Unilever is a socially

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Make One Up for Community Policing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Make One Up for Community Policing - Essay Example 273). The public is usually never satisfied with the fact police can offer protection from injustices that exist within its setting. For example, the youth and the community at large have always had a misunderstanding between the police and them. This is probably caused by the fact that police harass the public during normal patrols and arrests. There is need to protect arrest victims no matter their degree of crime. Accordingly, the police must not harass or intimidate people in the process of discharging their duties. There should not be a major commotion in the arrest process even in cases where the arrestee gets unruly. However, some police officers lose their emotions and act with speed to encounter such wild behaviors from their victims. This in most cases leads to public fear towards police presence (Schnebly, 2008, p. 279). If a person is suspected of any crime and is detained by a police officer, he/she might be faced with a circumstance of lawful detention. However, an atte mpt to resist arrest may lead to additional accusation. It is also very possible that an overenthusiastic police officer might attempt to use excessive force against a suspect to allege that the suspect tried to resist arrest. It is very important to understand the actions that constitute the law for one to have knowledge of the difference between prosecution and arrest for the lawful accusation of resisting arrest and the rare police officers’ abuse cases. The police force is meant to maintain law and order and as such must protect the rights of the community. The assumption that suspects that resist arrest are always on the wrong side of the law is simply a myth and should never be taken lightly. Police brutality and intimidation are some of the causes of arrest resistance. In protection of crime victims, it is fair to argue that the victims are human beings and as such, ought to be treated fairly. In every country for example, there is a law that that requires the police f orce to protect the rights of its citizens in the fairest way possible (Gowri, 2003, P. 593). This is an example of a good proposal for community policing. The police force in every country should have the constitutional back up to safeguard the rights of its citizens because the constitution exists for the protection of citizens. The security network should derive its full force from the constitution, which declares that there should be a proper police force in every country mandated with security provision by and for the people. The community policing should be in full force in any given country and there must not be any reason for its absence. The major instruments of police force should include; Police/Community Relations Committee. This should be an existing committee created by the police force. It involves cooperation of the different community members and the police force. With the objective to improve the relationship between the local community and the police, enhance a re levant community policing culture and promote good basis of dignity, respect and understanding between the police and the community in general. The Police/Community Relations Committee should be operational in most parts of a country. For example, in the United States, California has had the

Monday, November 18, 2019

Write a 500 word paper which discusses the complexities of Red Chalk Assignment

Write a 500 word paper which discusses the complexities of Red Chalk media and which gives detailed examples of at least one artist (Leonardo Da Vinci) who used this media. Remember to cite references - Assignment Example l paintings, as when Geurcino used this medium fro a study in preparation for the monumental oil painting ‘Erminia Finding the Wounded Tancred’ ( circa 1660), but red chalk was also used to make decorative and quite elaborate landscapes. The writer goes on to state that red chalk became very popular during the Rocco period in France and was utilized This particular technique can be used to exercise great control and precision. It is very easy to use , no mixing of colours, preparation of pigments etc., and gives a rapid result, using simple strokes. That of course does not mean that it does not also require great skill. A famous picture in red chalk is usually referred to as Renaissance man is often credited as being a self -portrait by Leonardo Da Vinci, although it is perhaps a portrait of a relative of his. Scholars are in dispute about this. It dates from 1512 and is held at the Biblioteca Reale in Turin, Italy ( Daily Mail, 2009). It is rarely on public view simply because it is so fragile, because it is subject to foxing, yet at the same time it is often copied and so well known. There has recently been developed a special box, a Climabox, which will, it is believed, preserve the wonderful portrait from further deterioration. Mayhew ( undated ) has spent a great deal of time researching the various materials used by early artists. He describes it as a natural material and easy to cut into sticks right from the earth as it was already very compressed. He states that da Vinci was the first artist to use it. However supplies became depleted by the end of the 17th century and so it dropped from popularity. By 1795 an artificial substitute had been developed by Frenchman Nicholas Conte, but Mayhew states that this ‘crayon’ simply doesn’t have the ‘glow’ of the natural product, and is harder to work with. He quotes Edward Burne-Jones as being in despair as he asks every colour man for the rare original, and saying ‘Now the

Friday, November 15, 2019

Effect of Artesunate on HT-29-AK Cancer Cells

Effect of Artesunate on HT-29-AK Cancer Cells Effect of Artesunate on HT-29-AK Cancer Cells, and its Therapeutic Implications Cancer Biology Coursework II The possible cytotoxic effect of Artesunate on the survival factors and the concentration of HT-29-AK cells over different incubation periods and its therapeutic implications. The possible cytotoxic effect of Artesunate on the survival factors and the concentration of HT-29-AK cells over different incubation periods and its therapeutic implications. Background: HT-29-AK are cancer cells, Artesunate is an antimalarial compound which could possibly be used as an anti-tumour agent. The present study attempts to confirm the incubation period most effective in decreasing the concentration of HT-29-AK cancer cells. Aim/Hypothesis: This experiment tests the effect of Artesunate on the E-Cadherin mRNA expression, VEGF-alpha and beta mRNA expression, Survivin and on caspase-3 expression. Methods: 96 well plates were used and HT-29-AK cells were incubated at different concentrations over different time periods to examine the effective concentration and incubation period. The E-Cadherin mRNA expression was measured using immunocytochemistry and the Survivin and VEGF-alpha and beta mRNA levels were also measured using methods such as qPCR and ELISA. Results: We could show that at lower concentrations and a 72 hour incubation period Artesunate killed HT-29-AK cells, and decreased E-Cadherin and VEGF-alpha and beta levels. Levels. Conclusion: The results allude to the cytotoxic effect of Artesunate and lower concentrations for 72 hour incubation periods and its effect on HT-29-AK cells with potential clinical applications. Figure 1 shows the concentration of ART on the X-axis and the percentage of control growth on the Y axis, this graph is aimed to show the effect of ART on HT-29-AK cells over varying periods of time. As the incubation time period increases the drug is becoming more cytotoxic, if the cells are incubated with the drug for longer, a lower concentration is required. The pharmacological index is 72hr>48hr>24hr, the IC50 is the concentration at which the cells need to be incubated to kill half the number of cells: 24hrs: incubating the cells over of 24 hours leads to an IC50 of 165Â µM, this alludes to the requirement for higher concentration over shorter incubation periods. The Concentration required is 100.39Â µM more than if the cells were incubated for 48hours and 150.56 Â µM more if the cells were incubated for 72 hours. 48hrs: incubating the cells over of 48 hours leads to an IC50 of 64.61Â µM, the concentration required to kill half the number of HT-29-AK cells is 100.39Â µM less if the cells were incubated for 48 hours instead of 24 hours, however the concentration required to kill half the number of cells is 50.17Â µM more than if the cells were incubated for 72 hours instead of 48 hours. 72hrs: incubating the cells over of 72 hours leads to an IC50 of 14.44Â µM, the concentration required to kill half the number of cells over 72 hours is 150.56Â µM less than incubation for 24hours, and 50.17Â µM less than incubation for 48 hours. Figure A and B shows the relative E-cadherin mRNA levels at different ART concentration incubated at 24 hours(Left) and 72 hours(right). Relative E-Cad mRNA levels at 24 hours Control: The control showed a relative E-Cad mRNA level of 1, at a concentration of 82.53Â µM The concentration at 82.53Â µM showed a relative E-cad mRNA level of approximately 1.1, this relative expression is 0.1 more than the controls relative expression, the relative expression of E-cad mRNA levels at 82.53Â µM was 0.9 less than the relative expression of E-Cad mRNA at 165.06Â µM and 1.8 less than the relative expression of E-cad mRNA at 330.12Â µM. The concentration at 165.06Â µM, showed a relative E-cad mRNA level of approximately 1.9, which was 0.8 more than the expression at 82.53Â µM and 1.0 less than the expression at 330.12 Â µM. the concentration at 330.12Â µM, showed a relative E-cad mRNA level of approximately 2.9, an increase of 1.8 is observed compared to the ART concentration of 82.53Â µM and an increase of 1.0 is observed compared to the ART concentration of 165.06Â µM. Relative E-Cad mRNA levels at 72 hours Control: The control showed a relative E-Cad mRNA level of 1, at a concentration of 82.53Â µM The concentration at 7.22Â µM showed a relative E-cad mRNA level of approximately 0.4, this relative expression is 0.6 less than the controls relative expression, the relative expression of E-cad mRNA levels at 14.44Â µM equal to the relative expression of E-Cad mRNA at 7.22Â µM and 0.01 less than the relative expression of E-cad mRNA at 28.88Â µM. The concentration at 28.88Â µM, showed a relative E-cad mRNA level of approximately 0.41, which was 0.01 more than the expression at 7.22 Â µM and 14.44Â µM Figure C shows the level of staining of adhesion molecules At 24 hours the control showed the least amount of staining compared to the ART concentrations at 82.53Â µM, 165.06Â µM and 330.12Â µM. At a concentration of 82.53Â µM there is an increase in staining compared to the control but there is less staining compared to 165.06 and 330.12Â µM concentrations. At an ART concentration of 165.06 Â µM more staining is observed compared to the control and at 82.53 Â µM however less staining is observed compared to 330.12Â µM. At the final ART concentration 330.12 Â µM an increase in staining is observed compared to the control, 82.53Â µM, and 165.06Â µM. At 72 hours the control showed the most amount of staining compared to the ART concentrations at 7.22Â µM, 14.44Â µM and 28.88Â µM. At a concentration of 7.22Â µM there is a decrease in staining compared to the control but there is more staining compared to 14.44Â µM and 28.88Â µM concentration. At an ART concentration of 14.44Â µM less staining is observed compared to the control and at 82.53Â µM however more staining is observed compared to 28.88Â µM. At the final ART concentration 28.88Â µM a decrease in staining is observed compared to the control, 7.22Â µM and 14.44Â µM. Figure A and B show the relative VEGF-alpha and beta mRNA levels at different ART concentrations. Control: The control concentration showed the same relative mRNA levels for both VEGF- alpha and beta which was a level of 1. 7.22Â µM: the relative VEGF- alpha concentration was approximately 0.62, and the VEGF- beta concentration was 0.39, this means that at a concentration of 7.22Â µM, 0.23 Â µM more of VEGF-alpha mRNA levels is expressed compared to VEGF-beta mRNA levels. 14.44Â µM: the relative VEGF- alpha concentration was approximately 0.64, and the VEGF- beta concentration was 0.35, this means that at a concentration of 14.44Â µM, 0.19 Â µM more of VEGF-alpha mRNA levels is expressed compared to VEGF-beta mRNA levels. 28.88Â µM: the relative VEGF- alpha concentration was approximately 0.61, and the VEGF- beta concentration was 0.05, this means that at a concentration of 28.88Â µM, 0.56 Â µM more of VEGF-alpha mRNA levels is expressed compared to VEGF-beta mRNA levels. The control showed a relative survivin mRNA level of 2, an ART concentration of 7.22Â µM showed a mRNA survivin expression of approximately 4 which is 2 more than the control. At an ART concentration of 14.44 Â µM a relative mRNA expression of 13 is observed, an mRNA expression of 9 more than at 7.22 Â µM and 13 less than 28.88Â µM. At an ART concentration of 28.88Â µM a relative mRNA Survivin expression of 26 is observed, this level of expression is 13 more than at 14.44Â µM and 22 more than at 7.22Â µM. these results show that Survivin which is an inhibitor of apoptosis is inhibited over a 72 hour incubation period and a concentration of 7.22Â µM. The control showed a % cleaved caspase 3 level of 100, an ART concentration of 7.22Â µM relative to the control showed 300% cleaved caspase-3 level which is 200% more than the control. At an ART concentration of 14.44 Â µM a relative to the control 320% cleaved caspase-3 levels was observed, which is 20% more than at 7.22 Â µM and 5% less than 28.88Â µM. At an ART concentration of 28.88Â µM the percentage of cleaved caspase-3 relative to the control was 325%, this level of expression is 5% more than at 14.44Â µM and 25% more than at 7.22Â µM. 4. Discussion Jiang W et al experimented with Artesunate on osteosarcoma cells, Artesunate was combined with another compound called allicin, which was derived mainly from garlic. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the synergistic effects of the combined therapy. The results of this experiment showed a decrease in concentration of osteosarcoma cells, a decrease in invasion, motility, and the colony formation of these cells, this occurred due to an increase in Caspase3/9 expression when combined. In Prof Olivera’s experiment the methods only included Artesunate and the cleaved caspase activity were all similar at different concentrations, the difference in methodology is apparent because two compounds was used in Jiang W et al’s study while only one was used in Prof Oliviera’s study. Liu Y et al also used a combination therapy to investigate the cytotoxic effect, triptolide and Artesunate was used to inhibit the pancreatic cell line growth by inducing apoptosis, the experiment also showed a production of heat shock proteins which produce synergic effects. Similar to Prof Oliviera’s experiment Artesunate has a cytotoxic effect, however the similarity between these two experiments is that the combination therapy used in Liu Y et al and the single therapy used in Prof Oliviera’s study both were more effective in lower concentrations of Artesunate these allude to potential clinical applications. Dong HY et al experimented the effects of Artesunate on breast cancer using tumour transplanted nude mice, cyclophosphamide or normal saline was used in combination with Artesunate and the results showed ART inhibiting the growth of the MCF-7 cancer cells by arresting the cell cycle. In conclusion the findings of Prof Oliviera’s study is as follows: Over a longer incubation period a lower concentration of Artesunate is required to kill half of the cancer cells. Over 72 hours less Artesunate is reuired to reduce the relative mRNA levels. And less staining of adhesion molecules is observed over 72 hours as the concentration increases. ART over 72 hours has a greater effect on decreasing the expression of VEGF-beta compared to VEGF-alpha. Over 72 hours the higher the concentration of ART the increase in relative survivin mRNA levels. The percentage of cleaved caspase-3 levels relative to the control increases as the concentration of ART increases. References Dong HY et al, ‘Antitumour effects of Artesunate on human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells and IGF-IR expression in nude mice xenografts’, 2014 Liu Y et al, ‘Synergism of cytotoxicity effects of triptolide and Artesunate combination treatment in pancreatic cancer cell lines’, 2013 Jiang W et al, ‘The synergistic anticancer effect of Artesunate combined with allicin in osteosarcoma cell line in vitro and in vivo’, 2013

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Tripmaster Monkey Essay -- essays research papers

Tripmaster Monkey   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Wittman uses theatre throughout the book 'Tripmaster Monkey'; to get back to his cultural roots and Asian culture. He is trying to find himself through theatre and to open up a new avenue for his people. There are numerous examples of this throughout the book as he is writing his play and incorporating the old (legends and myths) with the new (contemporary times).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first significant reference to legend occurs when Wittman is putting his entire night's worth of writing into the incinerator (42). As he does so, he reflects on the arrival of Monkey, Tripitaka and friends at the Western Paradise. They secure the sacred scriptures, and are on their way home to china when curious Monkey takes a peek at the books, only to find that the pages are blank. They return to Paradise to complain, and because their spiritual incapacity makes hem unable to absorb the truths of a blank text, are given pages with writing on them. But it turns out that the Heart Sutra's wisdom concerns the emptiness of inherent existence, and the blank text was the right way to express that truth after all. Kingston is illustrating the frustration Wittman feels at having to put into words the truths that are obvious to him.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  At another point in the book, Wittman recalls when the Monkey learns his position in Heaven (61). Monkey is ecstatic to have a place in Heaven, an important role to play, but once...