Clostridium tetani Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Clostridium tetani - Essay Example The author has rightly presented that Clostridium tetani is obligate anaerobe and doesn’t grow in the presence of oxygen. Optimal conditions for growing this bacterium are temperature of 37 degrees Celsius, with PH of 7.4. It grows on different nutrient media including agar enriched with blood. When cultivated on agar enriched with blood it manifests alpha hemolisis, but with prolonged cultivation it produces beta hemolisis. Because Clostridium tetani is mobile bacteria and has flagella when cultivated produces the effect of swarming and tends to spread over the complete area of the culture. When cultivated produces very thin and see-through layer of bacteria that is very hard to notice with a naked eye, except on the edges of the colonies. It is difficult to obtain a pure culture of Clostridium tetani, this is why method called Fildes technique is often used, when the bacteria is inoculated on a small area on an agar plate and after incubation of 10 hours another subcultures are made from the edge of the swarming area that is constituted mostly of Clostridium Tetani. In suboptimal conditions, Clostridium tetani forms spores that are relatively resistant. Spores are killed in boiling water for 10-15 minutes, and in the moist heat of 121 degrees Celsius after 20 minutes. Based on the agglutination process Clostridium Tetani is classified in 10 serological types (only type IV doesn’t have flagella and is not mobile).... It is protein based molecule with molecular weight of 150 kDa (Kilo Daltons) and is constitutes of two parts, heavier or B chain with weight of approximately 100 kDa and lighter A chain with molecular weight of 50 kDa. Heavier B chain of this toxin bonds to the cell membrane and helps chain A to enter the cytosol of the cell (Farrar et al. 2000). The A chain than migrates through the axons to the central nervous system. Lighter A chain of the tetanospazmin toxin in the CNS impairs the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain (GABA-gamma aminobuteric acid and glycine) by degrading protein called synaptobrevin (small membrane based protein). Consequence of this effect is hyperactivity of the skeletal muscles in the body and development of muscle contractions and muscle spasm (Schiavo et al. 1992). Infection with C Tetani may cause development of condition called tetanus. It is disease that is characterized by presence of generalized spasms of the skeletal muscles in the bod y that is produced by the tetanospasmin toxin. It is caused when a wound is contaminated with spores of Clostridium Tetani. C Tetani are widespread bacteria that are present in the soil, dust, manure of domestic animals, our clothing and in about 20 percents of human gastrointestinal tract (Bleck 1995). If the wound is deep enough spores of C. tetani in anaerobic conditions can develop in viable bacteria that start to release toxins. Toxins are released when the bacteria are destroyed and bacterial cytosol along with toxins is released into the human tissues. Incubation period between the infection and occurrence of first symptoms ranges between 3 and 21 days, but that depends mostly on the site of primary infection. As early sign patients may report dysphagia and sore throat and some

Role of Genetic Variations in Human Diseases Research Paper

Role of Genetic Variations in Human Diseases - Research Paper Example Sufficient advances have been made to date in the area of understanding disease etiology and pathogenesis from the perspective and context of genetic variation as a driver, and with development of modern genetic laboratory technologies, it is now a reality that in the near future, there would be increasing role for genetics in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of complex diseases, almost all except those caused by trauma. In fact following the knowledge accumulation from the Human Genome Project, the causation of common and complex diseases in relation to genetic variation in the fields of molecular epidemiology, medicine, and pharmacogenomics was a prime research interest. This was in sharp contrast with the traditional approach of studying human diseases contemplated to be caused by relatively rare single-gene diseases, which cumulatively account for merely 10% of diseases apparent in the pediatric age group. However, in reality, the post Human Genome Project research in this field is tending to increasingly demonstrate that virtually every medical condition has a genetic component. There is, however, considerable difficulty in characterizing these conditions since there is a vast number of genetic variations and their combinations, synergistic effects of multiple causative genes, and reactions of genetic traits with environmental factors, all of which may play roles together to cause manifestations of a complex disease. Disease loci of single gene variations through Mendelian inheritance have been successfully mapped; however, delineating the genetic variations and determinants had been more difficult and is a comparatively newer area of research. Currently, significant advances in the area of Bioinformatics have increased the possibilities of successful investigations about the genetic determinants of complex diseases. As is often evident from a patient's family history, many common disorders such as hypertension, heart disease, asthma, diabetes mellitus, and mental illnesses are significantly influenced by the genetic background. These polygenic or multifactorial disorders involve the contributions of many different genes, as well as environmental factors that can modify disease risk. Cancer has a genetic basis since it results from acquired somatic mutations in genes controlling growth and differentiation. In addition, the development of many cancers is associated with a hereditary predisposition. The prevalence of genetic diseases, combined with their severity and chronic nature, imposes a great financial, social, and emotional burden on society, and therefore research in this area is strongly indicated to solve the problems of application of this science into accurate characterization of the disease processes, so a clinical and therapeutic solution for these problems are accessible to both the medical community and the patients. While traditionally and historically, genetics has focused its attention on Mendelian causation of chromosomal and metabolic disorders such as trisomy 21, Turner Syndrome and

Policy and Plan Development Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Policy and Plan Development - Assignment Example Sometimes it is important to resolve the issues soon with guidelines that are provided. The employees are advised to talk with their managers and supervisors. They would also consult other important personnel on the illegal or even unethical behaviors. The code purposely to provide a better framework of guiding principles that direct the employees on daily conduct while carrying out their obligations and duties. Especially handling of situations that employees may come across in the workplace may be frustrating. There is a need to have guidance on certain issues that are considered technical. Therefore, those dealing with conflicts of interest may be specified and the procedures posted on the company’s intranet. These policies and procedures are to be included as a reference for the employees and they are subject to being changes or even being the elimination at company discretion. Compliance with the company laws For a company to value its reputation with the applicable gover nment laws and regulations, every employee should comply accordingly while representing the company. The same employee should avoid participating in any conduct that may legally allow is not consistent with the ethics provided by the company. ... In some instances, conflict of interest has come up when an employee has some interests that may render the performance of his or her work. ECG company executive has violated this code of conduct. The spouse of an executive received improper benefits because of having his husband in an influential position at ECG. It is unethical to have employees and close relatives to have any financial alignments or even having targets to do so. Those who own the minority equity interest in a company which is owned by public and doing business together is not perceived as having a conflict of interest. In addition, an employee should not perform a duty or transaction with a friendly company or an organization that is managed by a close family member. The same would be viewed as the family member has employed the management position and sales into a family affair. In summary, the employees and their family members are not obliged to request or accept discounts, gratuities, gift certificates or othe r value items and services of the company vendors. As an example portrayed in the ECG company. As we know, because the employees participate in a wide range of activities, it could be very difficult to specify what could constitute to being having a conflicting interest. A conflict of interest has been practiced and existed in ECG Company. This is when the company executive and his spouse show interest in a financial quest in acquiring the Government Allies Company. There are some instances such as invitations to dinner, lunch or other small favors from the suppliers or vendors that are common to the business and have no special or important considerations to them may not be considered

Econ160 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Econ160 - Essay Example My parents belongs to several generation of Guanxi where I am expected to inherit his position. If I will be living in China, I better be sure with the place that I will live. It is because the Chinese government prohibits the reselling of houses as their policy response to avoid speculation in the housing industry. I will be stuck in the house that I will choose for a very long period of time so I better take my time before buying a house. Unlike in the US where the housing market is determined by market forces as enunciated by Friedman in the book Capitalism and Freedom where price and availability is determined by the law of supply and demand where I can resell my house anytime I want it subject to the same law (supply and demand), Chinese government will just not allow the resell and even pegged the price. China may now allows private ownership of houses only with restrictions. With my present economic stature, I believe I would be able to afford a house and not in a crampy apartment or shoebox as what Hedrick Smith had described in his book The Russians. Only that my house will not form part of my estate where I can resell for profit or I will go to jail. If I will be in China, choosing my occupation will be partly determined with how the â€Å"opportunities† present to me. Unlike in the US where choosing an occupation is determined by personal preference and applying on it base on merit, it will be different in China. The cliche its whom you know more than what you know applies. If my father belongs to a Guanxi or the network of power elites, he may recommend me to some of his associates in the network as expounded by McGregor in his book The Party and will accept whatever occupation that will be given to me. From there, my future will be secured because I will be under the patronage and care of my father’s Guanxi and I will later develop my own network. I will first learn the rope of the business until I

The Causes of the Development of Antimicrobial Resistance Essay

The Causes of the Development of Antimicrobial Resistance - Essay Example The former class includes antibiotics like the ÃŽ ² lactams (penicillin, penicillin derived antibiotics, carbapenems, cephalosporins, vancomycin) and most aminoglycosides especially against Gram-negative organisms but not against Gram-positive and anaerobic micro-organisms. The other class of antibiotics, the microbiostatic, include antibiotics that prevent the micro-organisms from multiplying by interfering with their protein production, DNA replication, and other metabolic pathways. Tetracycline, sulphonamides, trimethoprim and most microbicidal antibiotics at low concentration are few examples of the microbistatic group. The first antibiotic to be discovered was penicillin derived from the Penicillium mold. It was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928. Later on, the development of synthetic penicillin broadened the spectrum of activity and at the same time enhanced the efficacy of these drugs. However, with the emergence of resistant bacterial strains, the usefulness of penicillins have been limited in the recent years. Methicillin is a narrow spectrum ÃŽ ² lactam antibiotic which was developed in 1959 by Beechman in order to treat penicillin-resistant Gram-positive organisms like Staphylococcus aureus.  In the 1960s and 1970s, it proved so efficient against Staphylococcus aureus that it was extensively used and even sprayed in the wards of hospitals to control Staphylococcal infection in newborn. ( Elek SD, Fleming PC. A new technique for the control of hospital cross infection. Lancet 1960;ii:569–72). Methicillin-resistant isolates though present were not notably troublesome because of the emergence and prevalence of microbial resistance especially MRSA( methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) in hospitals. The major antibiotic-resistant pathogen associated with nosocomial infection.

Knowledge in American History Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Knowledge in American History - Term Paper Example These amendments were pivotal in the history of African Americans and along with the 20th century Civil Rights movement constitute the most crucial periods in terms of freedom for African Americans. Even as the Constitution guaranteed rights to African Americans there was still a substantial amount of resistance, particularly at the hands of Southern states. This era saw the rise of the Ku Klux Klan as a means of oppressing African Americans. The Klan would engage in acts of terrorism, including house burnings and murder, as a means of intimidating African Americans. The Civil Rights Act of 1871 was put in place to restrict ethnic violence in response to the Ku Klux Klan movement (Stevens, 2001). During this period ‘black codes’ were also enacted as a means of attempting to oppress the recently freed African Americans. These acts were enacted by some Southern states as a means of continuing to restrict the rights of African Americans through controlling employment, their right to own firearms, or act as jurors in trials of white individuals. With the Civil Rights Act of 1866 these acts were repealed (Stevens, 2001). With the added control over employment and the plentiful agricultural land in the Southern regions, African Americans began engaging in sharecropping activities. Sharecropping occurred on land that was previously used as a plantation. In these instances, African Americans would rent small plots of land from the plantation owner to harvest their own crops. During this period there were also extraordinarily high illiteracy rates among African Americans, with a reported 70% illiteracy rate in the Southern states (Stevens, 2001). In response, this era also witnessed the emergence of some of the first schools for black... This term paper mostly focuses on the period of American history, in which African Americans led their fight for equality in civil rights, in knowledge and opportunities. The researcher follows and examines the historical progression of African Americans throughout five distinct periods in American history spanning from 1865 through the present era. In the term paper, it’s clear that throughout the eras examined by the researcher the United States experienced significant historical progress in regards to the social and cultural position of African Americans. Unit One examines the Reconstruction period and how African Americans fought to achieve rights and prosperity in the wake of the Civil War. Unit Two of this term paper follows this progression as Southern states attempted to counteract black progress through enacting Jim Crow laws that would remain in place until the second half of the twentieth century. Unit Three explores the continued oppression of blacks through Jim Cr ow laws, as well as the Great Migration wherein great amounts of individuals migrated north to escape this oppression. The Great Migration consisted of the migration of over five million African Americans from the Southern to Northern States. Unit Four of the term paper examines the substantial progress made during the Civil Rights Movement. Finally, Unit Five examines this progress as African Americans made gains in achieving political office and experiencing employment gains. President Kennedy and Martin Luther King were mentioned in this part.

Learning log Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Learning log - Essay Example I think that a company should consider remunerating sales people well because they intrigue the revenue sources for the company hence deserve a motivation. Given the work they do they should be motivated more and with all the sources available. The company in an insurance setting should also consider the economic situation and always make policies that make the work of sales people easier in terms of adjustable terms (Sukiennik, Bendat & Raufman 2007). What I would do differently next time is to make a list of all the clients and categorize them according to need as opposed to handling them one at a time. I would also ensure I do more research on the subject I intend to share with the clients to make them see the need of purchasing insurance policies. This is prompted by the rising demand for insurance schemes and policies. In the future I would also ensure that I create a stress free work environment as it only adds more burdens (Honey 2000). As a volunteer teacher in the NGO schools I had an interesting experience of interacting with teenagers of ages 6-12 years. What I did was majorly to creatively formulate activities for the kids which brought together so many kinds of games. I had to ensure that the activities that we come with were always new and up to date as the leadership of the school highly discouraged traditional learning. This made me have the roles of linking between a topic and the likeliness by the children. What I think is that the school should allow for all forms of learning for the kids. As opposed to rote memorization and spoon feeding as practiced in the school currently, the learning should be student centered and generated (Rijlaarsdam, Bergh & Couzijn 2005). This is as portrayed by the â€Å"Cognitivism Learning Theory† which according to my experience helped me do my job well. Therefore what I would do differently entails allowing