A breakthrough drug Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

A breakthrough drug - Essay Example A group of scientist under the supervision of NH Director Francis S. Collins reported that the drug Everolimus have the capacity to clear out the protein Progerin from theses children’s body. Everybody’s body produces progerin a mutated form of protein lamin A, which is important for the organizing of the genome contained in the cells of the body. There is number of research which shows that progerin in the body of people accumulates as they age. The studies have also reported that, the drug Everolimus also cut back the protein progerin from the body of healthy man and also prolonged their cell life. On study with mice, Everolimus which is a derivative of immunosuppressant rapamycin, has shown to extend the life span. With a control on cycling process of protein progerin, the drug Everolimus helps in controlling the aging process. The recycling of the progerin is possible because of the ability of this drug to clear toxins from the cells of the body. The FDA approved Everolimus on May of 2011 as a drug to fight the aging process of cell progerin . According to (Rockfeller)â€Å"The Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, also known as Progeria, is a genetic disease that affects small children and toddlers causing them to age prematurely†. Eventhough this drug treat the patients from outside the underlying disease which is genetic remains. However, the drug Everolimus treats the patients and reduces 50% of chances of getting the disease again. This medicine treats 50% of the cell but still there is underlying chance of getting the disease again. Progeria is a rare disease which affects the children, and even children and adults with brain tumor and other carcinogens can be cured with Everolimus. The diseased child has an increased amount of protein A and thus causes disruption in the working o f the cells in the body. The everolimus has got a trade name which is â€Å"

Prescription Addiction Essay Example for Free

Prescription Addiction Essay Addiction by Prescription In this essay, I’m going to explore the abuse of prescription drugs, provide information on the most commonly abused substances, and on the current treatment options available for users. Because of the rise of prescription pill addiction, it is important that people are made aware of the very dangerous effects that these drugs can have on them. The negative effects can result in jail time, illness, and even death. Painkillers, Depressants and Stimulants, are currently the most commonly abused prescription drugs. Years of research has shown that addiction to any drug (illicit or prescribed) causes a brain disease that can be treated effectively. Successful treatment may need to incorporate several components, including detoxification, counseling, and sometimes the use of addiction medications. Behavioral and pharmacological treatments are both necessary for the recovery of individuals with addictions. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, it is estimated that 48 million people (aged 12 and older) have used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons in their lifetime. That’s approximately 20% of the U.S. population. In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in prescription drug misuse or abuse. This increase has led to a corresponding increase in ER visits because of accidental overdoses as well as admissions to drug treatment programs for drug addictions. Its thought that prescription drug addiction is on the rise because there are more drugs available to more people and the opportunity for abuse is greatly increased. Doctor’s are reporting writing more prescriptions for patients than ever before. In addition, you only have to go on the Internet to find high numbers of online pharmacies selling these addictive drugs. People become addicted to prescription drugs for various reasons. One may have an injury or any type of pain and begin to take the drug, and soon become dependent. Some take the drug longer than necessary and take more than the prescribed dosage. Other people have genetically addictive personalities. It just takes one prescription and the drug can quickly become ad dicting. Prescription drugs can still get you high, just like street drugs. People often don’t realize the impact these medications can have on them because they were prescribed by a doctor so they tend to think they are safe. Some people might abuse prescription drugs because they  are more readily accessible than street drugs. It is, unfortunately, very easy to doctor shop and get all of the pills that you want. Doctor shopping† is moving from provider to provider in an effort to obtain multiple prescriptions for the drugs an abuser is using.†¨ Vicodin, Oxycodone, OxyContin and Percocet are common painkillers that are abused. Painkillers often contain opioids which are highly addictive and can have a serious effect on the brain. They can cause a physical dependence, meaning the body becomes accustomed. There are also very severe withdrawal symptoms. Depressants, such as Valium and Xanax are drugs that slow brain function. They include sedatives (used to make a person calm and drowsy) and tranquilizers (intended to reduce tension or anxiety). These can cause depression, confusion, exhaustion and irritability and can dangerously diminish heartbeat and respiration. This is especially true when depressants are combined with alcohol and over the counter (OTC) medications. Its a combination that can even lead to death. Stimulants are a class of drugs intended to increase energy and aler tness. These drugs can increase blood pressure, heart rate and breathing. Stimulants affect the brain through a slow and steady release of two neurotransmitters; dopamine and norepinephrine. They are used for treating conditions including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy and, occasionally, depression. Excessive vomiting, tremors, sweating and anxiety are just some of the risks of abusing stimulants. †¨ Breaking free from prescription drug abuse takes much more than willpower. Fortunately, medications and counseling can improve the chances of success. New treatments like Suboxone, and traditional therapies like methadone and 12-step programs, are helping thousands of people stay on the road to recovery. There are various options such as; Drug Rehab Programs Available from Support Systems Homes, Detoxification, Residential Treatment (Residential Drug Rehab), Outpatient Treatment, and Community-Based Self-Help Groups. Now we have explored the depths and effects of addiction and dependency on prescription drugs. There are many causes for addiction and almost any substance can be dangerous if used improperly. As long as there are new drugs there will always be new developments in the way to treat them. In summation, there are many ways and substances to become addicted too and anyone can be at risk. If the dangers are known it is much easier to combat the problem of substance abuse. Work Cited  ·DRUG FACTS. Drug Facts. National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, 1 June 2011. Web. 20 Apr. 2013. .  ·The Truth About Prescription Drugs. Foundation for a Drug-Free World, Aug. 2012. Web. 20 Apr. 2013. .  ·Prescription Drug Abuse Rates Increase in the Western United States, Northwest Now Leading Area of Epidemic. Yahoo News. Passages Malibu, 3 Apr. 2013. Web. 20 Apr. 2013. .  ·Prescription Drugs: Abuse and Addiction. Drug Abuse. National Institue On Drug Abuse, Oct. 2011. Web. 20 Apr. 2013. .  ·Prescription Drug Abuse: Addiction, Types, and Treatment. WebMD. WebMD, 18 Dec. 2012. Web. 20 Apr. 2013. .  ·Prescription Drug Addiction: Information and Treatment. Treatment for Prescription Drug Addiction. Support Systems Homes Inc, Nov. 2011. Web. 20 Apr. 2013. .

Greece: Birthplace of Western Civilization

Greece: Birthplace of Western Civilization Greece was known as the Birthplace of Western Civilization (Aquino Badilles, 2006, p.80) because its culture became the epitome for the succeeding western civilizations. The tale of the ancient Greek civilization is a painful history of foreign supremacy. But their civilization was built on solid foundation and led by efficient leaders that created values and customs that are still being practiced and observed by modern societies. It is for this reason that the Greek civilization flourished, remembered, celebrated and accepted by the whole world. One factor that can be considered as an integral part of the development of Greek civilization is its geography. The geography of Greece had an overwhelming impact on its political, cultural, economic and social growth. The geographical features of ancient Greece contributed to its advantage and disadvantage. Ancient Greece can be found at the tip of Balcan peninsula in Southwestern Europe. It is surrounded by three seas: in the south is the Mediterranean Sea; Ionian Sea in the west; and the Aegean Sea in the east. The Corint Gulf connects the separate region of the Peloponnesus, which is the southern tip of Greece, and Africa (Willis, 1985). The Greek mainland is a peninsula which extends into the Mediterranean Sea. The core of ancient Greece is consisted of mountainous and rugged lands. The Pindus Mountain, which is 8700 feet high, runs down the Middle of the Balkan Peninsula and is considered as the dominant range (Burns, 1958). Greece is a strategic location for empire building because it served as the crossroads between Africa, Asia and Europe. Three geographical features that affected Greece the most included the climate, the mountains and the seas. Ancient Greeces climate is temperate, making it comfortable to the people to be outside of their homes almost every year. This allowed them to engage in outdoor life within their city-states. They were able to interact with each other which enabled them to organize outdoor activities such as athletic competitions, public gatherings, entertainment and art shows, and meetings, which facilitate to the development of a rich and distinct Greek culture. The second geographical feature is the mountains. Greece is a mountainous society. Almost 70 to 80 percent of Greece is covered and dominated with mountains (Aquino Badilles, 2006). The advantage of the mountains is that they contributed to the preservation of the purity of Greek culture. Because of the mountains, inhabitants of ancient Greek civilization were secluded to their area resulting to rare interactions with other cultures. One bad effect of this geographical feature is that it served as a natural barrier which acted like walls separating different communities. It hindered communication among communities and slowed down the introduction of new ideas and technology. It also obstructed the development of a unified system of government. The Greeks ingenious solution to this problem is to developed the polis or the city-state. The creation of the city-states indicates the start of Greeks classical age because the emergence of the polis started the numerous great achievements o f the civilization (Willis, 1985). It also proved that democratic government works better in smaller states (Willis, 1985). Every polis has its own government and laws and it helped promote peoples participation in political affairs. It also provided protection and security to the inhabitants. Because states are smaller, the demands and needs of the people were easily reflected in the laws and policies that the government established. Another disadvantage of this geographical feature is that only few lands were dedicated to farming. Few small valleys and plains of ancient Greece provided farm land for the people. Adding to the disadvantage is the the rocky lands and poor soil which are not suitable for the domestication of plants. Although they experienced such disadvantages in farming, they still tried to cultivate olives and grapes. They also domesticated sheeps and cattles as an alternative to farming. The development of the polis also helped in their dilemma because it allowed t hem to supply enough food for the smaller population. The last and probably the most important geographical feature is the sea. Having been surrounded by three major bodies of water served as an advantage because it allowed early Greeks to travel and trade. The nearness of Greece to major trade routes allowed the prosperity in maritime commerce (Aquino Badilles, 2006). The sea also made the people became fishers, sailors and merchants. They excelled in ship buildings and voyaging because of their knowledge about seas around them. In the Greco-Persian wars, the Greeks used the seas to their advantage. They build smaller more efficient ships to pass through narrow routes and they exhibited their skills as naval armies. Also, the seas allowed the Greeks to depend heavily on trade. The Greeks get what they could not grow through trading. The exchanged olive oil, wine, wool and pottery with grains and other natural resources, which had a limited supply during that time . Because of their proximity to the seas, fish became the Greeks staple food. Moreover, trade encouraged cultural diffusion. It enabled the exchange of ideas with other culture and the spread of Hellenistic culture. It also encouraged them to have further knowledge about different existing civilizations at that time. To sum it all up, the mountains of Greece limited the civilizations agricultural progress and political unity. But, instead of being a disadvantage, the limitations provided ancient Greece with a stronger and well-developed communities. Adding to that are the seas that connect Greece with each other and the whole world. The seas provided Greeks with wider perspectives about other cultures and encouraged them to find ways on how to properly utilize their limited resources. It just affirms that geography, in one way or another, shaped and affected the ancient Greek civilization. References Aquino, G. Badilles, D. (2006). Social studies in perspective III. Makati City, Philippines: Diwa Scholastic Press Inc. Burns, E. M. (1958). Western civilization. New York: W. W. Norton and Co. Inc. McNeil, W. H. (1999). A world history: 4th edition. New York: Oxford University Press. Willis, F. R. (1985). Western civilization. USA: D. C. Health and Company.

The Native Son-Blacks And Whites :: essays research papers

In the Native Son Wright lets us see how blacks and whites have so many problems because of racial issues. We see how blacks and whites do not see eye to eye. We also see how being black in the 1930’s was something you couldn’t control but still was looked at as being something â€Å"bad†. Color was what it was all about. Being black was seen as being lower class and also less- human than other Caucasians. We also see the fear that black families and communities had. These facts separate in details how two types of race had such an effect on each other but still did not know how much damaged they caused to each other during many, many years.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   White people in this book felt blacks were bad people who just had bad ways of doing things. Stereo type was a big issue as we see when Bigger gets caught for the murder, newspapers stated that there was a â€Å"Mass Rapist on the loose†. Since he was black they thought right away he was raped her. White people also showed that they didn’t really care about what happened to black people. Since Mary Dalton was white, Caucasians were screaming at Bigger that he was a gorilla, that he should be killed, and many other bad racist comments. There were other white people who thought equality was for every one in the world. Jan is a prime example of how some white people felt blacks were treated wrong. Blacks feared whites. Many of them had so much fear that they accepted the way they were being treated. They took it as a problem where there was no answer. When Bigger was driving back to the Dalton’s house we see how many black people were just standing in the corner. Bigger was different though. He feared whites, but he sometimes tried to find the solution. Blacks also felt that the whites should be treated with more respect. The way Bigger answers his mother and the way he answers Mr. Dalton are two different tones of voices. One is respect out of fear and the other is disrespect out of revenge.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many of Bigger’s actions suggest a huge response to fear, which comes from his exposure to a harsh social climate in which a clear line between acceptable behavior for whites and blacks exists. His anger and his destructive impulses come from that fear and is seen clear in the opening scene when he attacks a huge rat.

How Enzymes Work in the Home and in Industry Essay Essay

This essay aims to explore the ways on how enzymes are used in home and in industry, and it aims to explain the advantages and disadvantages of using enzymes in the home and industry. An enzyme is a protein that is formed by the body that acts as a catalyst to cause a certain desired reaction. Enzymes are very specific. Each enzyme is designed to initiate a specific response with a specific result. Firstly, the AQA Science Biology textbook published in 2011 by Nelson Thornes Ltd suggests on page 172 that â€Å"in the past, people boiled and scrubbed their clothes to get them clean – by hand! Now we have washing machines and enzymes ready and waiting to digest the stains.† This is telling us how people now use enzymes at home and it is much easier from the past. This is an example of how enzymes are used in homes. Enzymes are used to get rid of the stains that are on the clothes in washing machines. Enzymes are used to break down proteins and fats that are in the stains. This is evident in the same textbook on the same page number mentioned above when it says, â€Å"many people use biological detergents to remove stains such as grass, sweat and food from their clothes. Biological washing powders contain proteases and lipases.† Proteases and lipases are those enzymes that are used to break down the proteins and fats that are in the stains. In addition, it is better to use biological detergents instead of non-biological detergents at lower temperatures because that is when the enzymes work at their best, if the water is too hot then they are denatured and this also means that you use less electricity. The edited book version called ‘Enzymes in Industry’ written by Dr Wolfgang Aehle published in 2007 suggests that â€Å"in the food industry enzymes are used to improve dairy products like cheese or to supply us with breads that have the right crumb structure and give us the right mouth feel while eating.† This is showing how and why enzymes are used in industry. They are used to improve dairy products or to supply with breads that are good enough for us. Protease enzymes are used to make baby foods. In the book ‘Chemistry at a glance’ published by Roger Owen and Sue King it says on page 116 â€Å"proteins in baby foods may be pre-digested by proteases (enzymes which digest proteins). Babies are not very good at digesting the food when they first begin to eat solid foods. By using protease enzymes in the food, makes it easier for a baby’s digestive system to cope with it and then the babies can also get the amino acids that need from their food more easily. There are more enzymes used in industry like carbohydrases to convert starch into sugar (glucose syrup). There are many advantages and disadvantages of using enzymes. Enzymes can be good to use. In the AQA Science Biology textbook published in 2011 by Nelson Thornes Ltd suggests on page 173 that â€Å"in industrial processes, many o the reactions need high temperatures and pressures to make them go fast enough to produce the products needed. This needs expensive equipment and requires a lot of energy.† The good thing is that by using enzymes it would solve industrial problems like these. On the same page, it says the enzymes â€Å"catalyze at relatively low temperatures and normal pressures. This is why the enzyme-based processes are cheap to run. This is an advantage showing that by using enzymes it is cheaper and easier. There are also disadvantages of using enzymes. This is evident in the same book on the same page as it mentions, â€Å"one problem with enzymes is that they are denatured at high temperatures, so the temperature must be kept down†. This shows that by using enzymes they can be denatured so you would have to be careful and keep an eye on the temperature. In addition, the pH needs to be controlled and it costs money to control these conditions which means it is bad. You would have to pay to control theses conditions and if you do not then the enzymes would denature which is not good. The original BBC Bitesize GCSE website in the science section suggests that there are many enzymes, which are expensive to produce. This is evident on the website as it says, â€Å"In industry, enzymes allow reactions that normally need expensive, energy-demanding equipment to happen at normal temperatures and pressures. On the other hand, most enzymes are denatured at high temperatures.† This shows that many enzymes are quite expensive to produce and this is a disadvantage of using enzymes. In conclusion, enzymes are used in many places like homes and in the industry because they can be good in ways such as using them in baby food, which would help the digestive system of babies. However, there are also some disadvantages of using enzymes for example some enzymes can be very expensive to produce. I believe that enzymes should be used in some places and should not in others, this way I think that there would not be trouble caused.

Coclear implant controversy essays

Coclear implant controversy essays Cochlear implant technology has advanced tremendously over the past 20 years. Deaf adults, deaf and hearing parents of deaf children, and family members have strong feelings regarding cochlear implants. There are some who say "My child should remain deaf and part of the deaf community. However, some individuals who belong to the hearing world view cochlear implants as a magnificent advancement in technology to help the deaf to hear. I believe that both culture and community have a major impact on an individuals life. If the parents of a child who is deaf believe that cochlear implants will change or distort the childs sense of culture or community, the child should remain without the implant until he/she is able to make their own decision. A cochlear implant is an electronic device that restores partial hearing to the deaf. It is surgically implanted in the inner ear and activated by a device worn outside the ear. Unlike a hearing aid, it does not make sound louder or clearer. Instead, the device bypasses damaged parts of the auditory system and directly stimulates the nerve of hearing, allowing individuals who are profoundly hearing impaired to receive sound. The most common language among individuals who are profoundly deaf is American Sign Language (ASL). However, many children who received their implant at a young age have learned to talk and have not needed signs. A number of these children are fully integrated into their neighborhood schools, socialize with normally hearing children, talk on the telephone, learn popular words and slang from watching and hearing their videos, and in general are living lives as hearing and speaking children. Members of Deaf Culture do not view their deafness as a disability. Individuals belonging to Deaf Culture believe that cochlear implants are a threat to their identity and their language, American Sign Language (Koch, 2001). Yet, many times individuals want to orally communicate ...