Thursday, November 28, 2019

Hamlet Essays (830 words) - Characters In Hamlet,

Hamlet Death In Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, the death of a character becomes a frequent event. Although many people lose their lives as a result of their own self-centered wrong-doing, there are others whose death are a result of manipulation from the royalty. This is the case of Polonius' family. The real tragedy of Hamlet is not that of Hamlet or his family but of Polonius' family because their deaths were not the consequence of sinful actions of their own but rather by their innocent involvement in the schemes of Claudius and Hamlet. The first character to die in Hamlet is Polonius. Although Polonius often acts in a deceitful manner when dealing with Hamlet, it is only because he is carrying out plans devised by the king or queen to discover the nature of Hamlet's madness. Being the king's Lord Chamberlain, it is his duty to obey the king and queen's wishes and it is this loyalty that eventually proves to be fatal for him. An example of how Polonius' innocent involvement with the royalty results in his death can be found at the beginning of Act III, scene iv, when Hamlet stabs him while he is hiding behind the arras in Gertude's room. This shows how Polonius, a man unaware of the true nature of the situation he is in, is killed by a member of the royalty during the execution of one of their schemes. This makes Polonius' death a tragedy. The next member of Polonius' family to die is his daughter Ophelia. Ophelia's death is tragic because of her complete innocence in the situation. Some may argue that Polonius deserves his fate because of his deceitfulness in dealing with Hamlet while he is mad, but Ophelia is entirely manipulated and used by Hamlet and the king for their own selfish reasons. An example of how Ophelia is used by Hamlet takes place in Act II, scene I, when Hamlet uses her to convince his family he is mad. Ophelia explains to Polonius how Hamlet has scared her, causing Polonius to draw the conclusion that Hamlet has an "antic disposition". Although this is the subject to interpretation and many believe that this is simply Hamlet taking one last look at Ophelia before he becomes engaged in his plan to kill Claudius, the fact that he scares her and does not try to alleviate these fears points to the conclusion that he is simply using her to help word of his madness spread throughout the kingdom via Polonius. In Act III, scene iv, Hamlet kills Polonius while he is hiding behind the arras in the Queen's room. This event causes Ophelia to become insane and leads to her eventual death in a river near the castle in Act IV, scene vii. It can be seen how the combined scheming of Hamlet's scheme which brings about the death of Polonius which leads to Ophelia's death. The passing of Ophelia is a tragedy because she does nothing deserving of death, she is merely used for other people's personal gain. The last member of Polonius' family to die is Laertes, Ophelia's brother and Polonius's son. Laertes' death is tragic because, although he kills Hamlet, he is avenging his father's death, an act, with reference to the moral climate of the 1600s, that would have been condoned by the people who saw the play. The difference between Hamlet and Laertes is that Laertes does not use others to attain his goals and his revenge is in part due to the pressure put on him by Claudius. This makes Laertes' murder of Hamlet excusable and his death a tragedy. An example of how Claudius uses Laertes to try and murder Hamlet is seen in Act IV, scene vii. Claudius and Laertes are discussing Hamlet when Claudius says: Laertes, was your father dear to you? Or are you like painting of a sorrow, A face without a heart? He is asking Laertes whether he is really sorry about his father's death or if he is just acting mournful without feeling mournful. Claudius uses these lines to lead Laertes into a plan to kill Hamlet, asking him what will he do to prove his love for his father in ActIV, scene vii. Hamlet comes back; what would you undertake to show yourself in deed your father's son more than in more than words? It can be easily seen how Laertes, influenced by Claudius in the heat of his anger, could conspire to murder Hamlet and it is in this attempt that Laertes loses

Monday, November 25, 2019

The cytokine storm Essay Example

The cytokine storm Essay Example The cytokine storm Essay The cytokine storm Essay Glossary TNF-Alpha = Tumour Necrosis Factor-Alpha IL-6 = Interleukin-6 IL-8 = Interleukin 8 ARDS = Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome SAP = Severe Acute Pancreatitis MOF = Multiple Organ Failure IG = Immunoglobulin FDA = Food and Drug Administration TLR = Toll-Like Receptors Deoxyribonucleic acid = Deoxyribonucleic Acid ACTH = Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone Describe the molecular footing of the status hypercytokinaemia ( A ; lsquo ; cytokine storm ) and describe in item, the pharmacological medicine of drug intercessions that may be used to handle the status Cytokine storm is straight caused by a flustered ratio of proinflammatory to anti-inflammatory cytokines which interact and can be fatal to the patient. ( 1 ) Proinflammatory cytokines can move locally by increasing the vascular permeableness of the tissue or in concurrence with chemokines advancing the physiological responses when tissue harm or a viral infection is encountered. ( 2 ) An addition in the grade of organ disfunction has been found to correlate with high degrees of the cytokines TNF-a, Il-6 and Il-8. These are proinflammatory cytokines which play an of import function in the cytokine storm. Cytokine storm must be treated instantly as it can turn out fatal through several conditions such as ARDS, sepsis, SAP, ARDS and MOF. ( 3 ) High degrees of cytokines have been observed in patients who have contracted the H5N1 virus bespeaking that this deregulating of the cytokine tract is what causes the ARDS associated with H5N1. ( 4 ) Cytokine storms can besides be triggered throu gh pharmacological intercessions ; TGN1412 was given to six voluntaries in a drug test plan in 2006 with dramatic consequences. Within an hr and a half there was a immense addition in the figure of proinflammatory cytokines in the trial subjects taking to a cytokine storm. Several pharmacological intercessions are available to battle the spread of the cytokine storm. Interfering with one cytokine s tract has proven to be uneffective and merely when a big proportion of cytokines are inhibited is the status improved. ( 5 ) However the immune system is huge in its complexness and hence In order to utilize a pharmacological intercession to cut down the cytokine storm a specific country of the cytokine cascade must be targeted. Inflammatory cytokines are released by T-cells and hence a pharmacological intercession to cut down the figure of T-cells in patients enduring from cytokine storms is a logical measure. CD4+ T cells produce cytokines that promote inflammatory effects within a assortment of cells, CD8+ cells destroy the host being cells that have become infected. ( 2 ) When antigen molecules binds to the t-cells this causes OX40 production to be increased. OX40 is a receptor protein for TNF-a cytokines. The addition in production of OX40 besides upregulates the production of OX40L. OX40 creates a survival signal which prevents the t-cells from programmed cell decease. ( 6 ) A interruption in this survival signal can be achieved by utilizing a human created soluble merger protein known as OX40-IG, this prevents the suppression of the programmed cell death of t-cells therefore diminishing the figure of t-cells nowadays. ( 7 ) One of the concluding inflammatory go-betweens in the inflammatory cytokine cascade is TNF-a, it promotes cutaneal redness, regulates the programmed cell death of active cells in the immune system and besides provides a positive feedback cringle whereby it stimulates the production of more cytokines. Macrophages besides provide a big beginning of TNF-a along with the kidneys which have shown to increase degrees of TNF-a when redness is present. The angiotonin II system may move as a cytokine in its ain right modulating the production of TNF-a. A test on rats has shown that when angiotonin II was administered the rats showed an over look of TNF-a and other inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6. Following this find a test on rats with elevated TNF-a degrees due to nephritis was carried out. An ACE inhibitor called quinapril was administered to the rats, the increased TNF-a look by the kidneys was reduced demoing that the Angiotensin II system does play a portion in modulating TNF-a degre es. ( 8 ) Recently the H5N1 avian strain and the H1N1 strain of the grippe virus have been at the head of media attending as they trigger cytokine storms and can be fatal to the patient. The mechanism of action by which grippe viruses trigger hypercytokinaemia is non to the full understood nevertheless it has been hypothesised that TLR receptors detect the presence of a foreign virus and upregulate the production of TNF-a and IFN-b/c and many other proinflammatory cytokines. ( 1, 10 ) Corticosteroids are produced in the cerebral mantle of the adrenal secretory organs above the kidneys and are released in response to increased concentration of proinflammatory cytokines. They help to command the positive feedback cringle that fuels the cytokine storm and hence cut down the proliferation of farther cytokines. ( 11 ) One theory besides suggests that some sections of the viral DNA are similar to that of ACTH taking to a decrease in the release of hydrocortisone from the adrenal secretory organs and hence doing adrenal insuffiency in patients. However steroids must be administered early in the status to be effectual and must be administered in concurrence with an antiviral such as osteltamivir. Methylprednisolone has been administered in some instances of avian grippe nevertheless there are few human tests that have been conducted. There will therefore demand to be more conclusive grounds for steroids as a believable intervention for cytokine storms before any decisions can be drawn. ( 1 ) An suppression of TNF-a could hence be effectual in cut downing the spread and inflammatory effects of the cytokine storm. Three different tnf-a alpha inhibitors are presently available and are approved by the FDA. Etanercept is the first of the three as it provides it s curative action by adhering to TNF-a molecules at one adhering site, this inhibits the TNF-a molecules from adhering to their specific receptors and leaving a biological signal. The 2nd and 3rd drugs are monoclonal antibodies and have two adhering sites on TNF-a. These two drugs may do a cascade which destroys immune cells by cell mediated lysis. Infliximab contains a little sum of mouse protein which may do the hosts immune system to let go of antibodies in response potentially take downing it s efficaciousness. Adalimumab maps in the same manner as Remicade nevertheless merely human protein is present therefore it may be a more feasible attack. ( 9 ) OX40 has already been established as a major subscriber to the proliferation of TNF-a and hence different attacks to cut down its efficaciousness are in advancement. A lipid-lowering medicine named Zocor has been shown to diminish OX40 and OX40L degrees and hence increase the programmed cell death of T-cells in cytokine storm patients. This lessening in OX40 degrees has been attributed to a alteration in written text of messenger RNA and interlingual rendition of proteins. Simvastatin is a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor which inhibits the formation of mevalonate ( an interferon ) . Simvastatin has been shown to trip PPAR receptors, this tract was investigated to make up ones mind whether this agonist mechanism was take downing OX40 degrees or whether mevalonate was doing the decrease in OX40 degrees. Mevalonate and a PPAR adversary GW9662 where used in the probe. When mevalonate was used the degrees of OX40 became elevated nevertheless with GW9662 the degrees were non altered. This show ed that the mevaolonate tract is likely what causes this lessening instead than PPAR receptor activation. Further research into HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors such as Zocor will hold to be carried out before the mechanism of action becomes clear nevertheless simvastatin appears to be a promising new attack for covering with cytokine storms. ( 12-13 ) Bibliography Carter MJ. A principle for utilizing steroids in the intervention of terrible instances of H5N1 avian grippe. J Med Microbiol. 2007 July 1, 2007 ; 56 ( 7 ) :875-83. Richard Coico GS. Immunology: A short course2009. Hirasawa H, Oda S, Matsuda K, Watanabe E. Clinical facet of hypercytokinemia-induced pathophysiology in critical attention. International Congress Series. [ Department of the Interior: Department of the interior: 10.1016/S0531-5131 ( 03 ) 00883-5 ] . 2003 ; 1255:39-40. de Jong MD, Simmons CP, Thanh TT, Hien VM, Smith GJD, Chau TNB, et Al. Fatal result of human grippe A ( H5N1 ) is associated with high viral burden and hypercytokinemia. Nat Med. [ 10.1038/nm1477 ] . 2006 ; 12 ( 10 ) :1203-7. Droebner K, Reiling SJ, Planz O. Role of Hypercytokinemia in NF- { kappa } B p50-Deficient Mice after H5N1 Influenza A Virus Infection. J Virol. 2008 November 15, 2008 ; 82 ( 22 ) :11461-6. Maxwell JR, Weinberg A, Prell RA, Vella AT. Danger and OX40 Receptor Signing Synergize to Enhance Memory T Cell Survival by Suppressing Peripheral Deletion. J Immunol. 2000 January 1, 2000 ; 164 ( 1 ) :107-12. Humphreys IR, Walzl G, Edwards L, Rae A, Hill S, Hussell T. A Critical Role for OX40 in T Cell-mediated Immunopathology during Lung Viral Infection. J Exp Med. 2003 October 20, 2003 ; 198 ( 8 ) :1237-42. Ruiz-Ortega M, Ruperez M, Lorenzo O, Esteban V, Blanco J, Mezzano S, et Al. Angiotensin II regulates the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the kidney. Kidney Int. 2002 ; 62 ( S82 ) : S12-S22. Jackson JM. TNF-alpha ; inhibitors. Dermatologic Therapy. 2007 ; 20 ( 4 ) :251-64. Garc A ; iacute ; a-Sastre A. Antiviral response in pandemic grippe viruses. Emerg Infect Dis. 2006 ; 12 ( 1 ) :44-7. PADGETT DA, LORIA RM, SHERIDAN JF. Steroid Hormone Regulation of Antiviral Immunity. Annalss of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2000 ; 917 ( NEUROIMMUNOMODULATION: Position AT THE NEW MILLENNIUM ) :935-43. Liu B, Yu G, Yang Z, Sun L, Song R, Liu F, et Al. Simvastatin Reduces OX40 and OX40 Ligand Expression in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and in Patients with Atherosclerotic Cerebral Infarction. The Journal of International Medical Research. 2009 ; 37:601-10. Zhang X, Jin J, Peng X, Ramgolam VS, Markovic-Plese S. Simvastatin Inhibits IL-17 Secretion by Targeting Multiple IL-17-Regulatory Cytokines and by Suppressing the Expression of IL-17 Transcription Factor RORC in CD4+ Lymphocytes. J Immunol. 2008 May 15, 2008 ; 180 ( 10 ) :6988-96.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Chicago demographics Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Chicago demographics - Assignment Example It is evident that the problem of teen pregnancy is the biggest health issue in Chicago and this necessitates measures to help address this issue. Thus this paper will look at the Chicago demographics, the services offered and their effectiveness; it will then develop a marketing plan for a service/ program to address the problem of teen pregnancy in Chicago. Chicago Demographics Population and ethnic composition Chicago is the largest city in Illinois a state in the US. According to the US census bureau it has nearly 2.7 million residents and this makes it the most populous city in the Midwestern United states and is also ranked the third most populous state in the United States after New York and Los Angeles that are considered the most populated areas (Mackun & Wilson, 2011). Chicago is the headquarters of Cook County (City of Chicago, 2011) which is the second most populous county in the US coming after Los Angeles and California. Chicago is one of the first cities in the world w ith a fast growing population. Its population has continued to grow every year and this can be attributed to the many services that are available to cater for people’s needs in this city. According to the US census Bureau there were 2,695,598 people with a total of 1,045,560 households residing within the city of Chicago (CB, 2010). It is estimated that more than half of the population of the state of Illinois stay in Chicago metropolitan area. The city’s racial composition is 45.0% whites with 31.7% non-Hispanic whites (Forman & Krysan, 2008), 32.9% African American, 5.5% Asian (City Data, 2010). It has a Hispanic population of 28.9%. The population percentage from 2000-2010 stood at -6.9%. Persons under the age of 5 years are 6.5%, under 18 years are, 23.1%, persons 65 years and over are 10.3%, while the female persons percentage is at 51.5% (CB, 2010). The age distribution include below 10 are 15.2% 10s are 13.8% 20s at 18.0%, 30s at 16.6%, 40s at 13.5%, 50s 9.2 %, 60s 6.3% and above 70 at 7.4% (Zllow, 2011). Fig. 1 Races in Chicago Source: http://igpa.uillinois.edu/cas/media/pubs/Forman_Krysan_2008.pdf Education In the Education sector, the percentage of high school graduates in Chicago aged 25 and over stands at 78%, those with a bachelor’s degree or higher and who are 25 years and over stand at 31.7% (CB, 2010). The public schools are governed by Chicago public schools (CPS) while the private schools are run by two religious groups the Catholics and the Lutheran. A look at the marital statuses of people in Chicago reveal 28.27% married, 49.47% never married, 12.69% separated, 3.99% widowed and 5.57% divorced. The median household income 2005-2009 was $46.781 (Sperlings, 2010). Fig.1. Marital Status in Chicago: source: www.census.gov Health Characteristics and problems There exists a wealth of information about the heath characteristics of people in Chicago. Childhood obesity is one of the most prevalent health crisis in Chicago such that the rate of obesity among Chicago children aged 3-7 is very high estimated to be twice the national average for children in the same age group. Adult obesity is most seen in the minority communities (Whitman,

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Community Corrections Paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Community Corrections - Research Paper Example In sum, â€Å"The goals of community corrections are to contribute to public safety and reduce future criminal conduct.† (Martin, 2006) How Do Community Corrections Affect the Society in Which They Are Practiced? Community corrections consist of a number of criminological treatment regimens that are designed from both forensic and psychiatric perspectives. These include counseling, medication, and various other sorts of interventions involving drug/alcohol treatment, cognitive restructuring to prevent sexual offences, anger management, and mental treatment. The effect of these practices can be very positive toward the society at large. Instead of punishment, re-offending, and repeated punishment, community corrections aim at offender specific treatment and rehabilitation, which can minimize prison costs, arouse human values among the offenders, prevent recidivism, and prevent death penalties or life imprisonments. Thus, reduction of criminal behavior and mentality change of th e offenders through community corrections play a constructive role in the society. Hypothesis Community corrections can not only prevent recidivism through rehabilitation but also bring down the economic overheads of maintaining large prison systems. Prison System of Foreign Countries Unlike America, several foreign countries often undermine the human rights aspects of the correctional system. In these countries, correctional systems depended on the prison systems and community corrections remain a neglect field of criminology and rehabilitation. Less technical know-how, ignorance, budgetary restrictions, etc. are the main reasons behind the primitiveness of community corrections in foreign countries. Prisons thus become a means of elimination and isolation rather than correction and rehabilitation. Views of the Other Nations on Imprisonment Most of the other nations have stricter implications for handling offenders. They aim to isolate the offender from the rest of the society. Gen erally due to budgetary constraints and lack of research, prisons in the other parts of the world have very strict code of conduct. And where corruptions are prevalent, prisoners are often systematically exploited and tortured. Authoritarian countries often resort to repression and prisons become concentration camps. Some countries manage to maintain high level of discipline, while others have a highly corrupt prison system. If United States Adopt the Prison System of Another Country†¦ For the purpose of this paper, let’s chose the example of the prison system of Japan. According to Cavadino and Dignan (2006, p. 184): â€Å"One of the most striking aspects of Japanese prison life, at least in the eyes of Western observers, is the extent to which it appears to repressively regimented by a highly detailed and restrictive set of prison rules, covering virtually every aspect of a prisoner’s daily life.† Japanese prison system has an impressive orderliness, whic h is manifest by the fact that incidents of prison riots and prison breaking are very low in Japan. However, such incidents are often encountered in the prisons of the Western countries like United States. Therefore, if the Japanese prison system is adopted, the focus of law enforcing bodies will be at the restructuring of the country’s prison system. Like Japan, United States would also start putting less emphasis on community correct

Monday, November 18, 2019

Chinese Students Enrolled in Hospitality and Tourism-Related Essay

Chinese Students Enrolled in Hospitality and Tourism-Related Programmes in the UK - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that there is a huge contribution of international students in the income and prestige of individual universities of U.K. and other Western countries. Despite the developments, there is little research done on the progress and achievements of international students. It has been observed that students mostly migrate from countries like China, India, and U.A.E etc. to Western countries like U.K. and U.S.A. in search of higher studies and better career objectives. Studying abroad is very challenging and exciting during college years. Students get the opportunity to learn different languages and experience the different type of cultures. Students can enhance their knowledge and clarify their career directions by studying abroad. The developing countries like China and India follow the traditional method of education, which does not emphasize on the student’s career perspective appropriately. The educational system in U.K. is distinct bec ause the universities not only emphasize on theoretical subjects, they also focus on practical implications of the theories, which helps students to enhance their future endeavors. In 2010, AGCAS received funding for several pilot projects that allowed better links with U.K. along with alumni’s and employers in order to build successful employment relationships with international students. Universities of the Western countries majorly focus on the career and entrepreneurial ambitions of students. It is essential for colleges to have a proper understanding of the existing job market and prepare students accordingly. With the help of abroad studies, students can gain international experiences and develop their career aspirations. This research interviews Chinese students, who are currently enrolled in hospitality and tourism-related programmes in the U.K. The essay discusses the future career planning of Chinese students at a higher education facility in the U.K. and the respon sibility of the institution towards the management of employability. Studying in a different country is an extremely rewarding and exciting experience. According to famous theorists Archer and Davidson, the value of international experience is not just limited to learning of foreign language; the value of the experience is mainly determined from the ability of a person to distinguish the personal issues and business between his own country and the foreign country.

Friday, November 15, 2019

Relationship Between Zinc and Heart Disease

Relationship Between Zinc and Heart Disease Otoniel Santiago Shanil Juma, PhD Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one common cause of morbidity and death in all ethnicities. There are many contributing factors associated to this disease, which include: atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, lack of physical activity and obesity1-3. Despite the many studies performed in these areas, nutrition and nutritional status play a major role in the decrease of CVD. One area that has been look at for almost a decade is the relationship of micronutrients in preventing the onset of cardiovascular disease. Although there are still many controversies in the areas of diet and obesity, the role of micronutrients especially zinc, have been closely studied to identify if its levels have any effect in reducing or potentially inducing cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this report will be to briefly discuss how zinc levels may play a role in promoting cardiovascular disease or preventing it. Zinc Functions Zinc is known as one of the essential trace elements vital for maintaining normal physiology and cellular functions in the body.1 It was during the 1960’s that zinc deficiency was discovered after it was found that dwarfism and delayed sexual maturation were related to zinc. This discovery lead to an increase in clinical studies in order to understand the critical role of zinc in human physiological growth and its relation to other conditions such as, dermatitis, impaired taste, and impaired immunity to name a few.1 Nonetheless, the role of zinc is not completely understood. This trace element has only been known for the past 50 years, but it has been clearly documented that it can improve an array of conditions like acute diarrhea in children, the common cold, and reduction of oxidative stress, the making of genetic material and wound healing. In all, zinc plays a major role in protein synthesis, thus, making it one of the most essential micronutrient needed for optimal healt h in the human body. Zinc and Heart Disease Zinc has been known for its many protective capacities and functions. However, low zinc levels have been associated with age, disease and lack of nutritional intake. It has been found that zinc deficiency increases the inflammatory response caused by increased vascular oxidative stress.2 For instance, in patients with type 2 diabetes suffering from cardiovascular disease, it was found that zinc serum levels were low3. Despite the fact that low serum zinc levels were found to be an independent factor for heart disease in patients with type 2 diabetes, non-diabetic patients who suffered from CVD was related to lower consumption of zinc.3 Zinc deficiency can also be associated to malabsorption caused by gastric conditions such as Chron’s disease and celiac sprue, or conditions like diabetes which increase zinc loss due excessive urinary output4. A study conducted by Frustaci et al, looked at selenium and zinc deficiency to identify if cardiac malfunction could occur with individuals who suffer from intestinal malabsorption. The study found that there was a great association of between the deficiency of selenium and zinc and the degeneration of cardiomyocytes5. Although this study looked into two micronutrients, it is important to point out that zinc played a major role in this study. As mentioned previously, zinc is an essential trace element that works in nearly over 300 enzymes exerting catalytic, structural, and regulatory functions4, 5. In addition to these functions, a deficiency of zinc can cause cell apoptosis and necrosis due to its role in growth and development. On the other hand, selenium has been associated with the Keshan disease that causes progressive dilated cardiomyopathy5. Both elements serve as antioxidants detoxifying cardiomyocytes from free radicals and a deficiency of any of these two elements can cause a decline a cardiac function5. Patients in this study were treated with a selenium/zinc infusion of 13.6 mg/d/wk for about six months. The group was divided into two groups consisting of one group of (A2, n=8) and another (A1, n= 10).5 All patients in group A1 received cardiac catherization, and an endomyocardial biopsy, while the A2 group were only treated with anti-heart failure therapy. Nonetheless, after the six months was completed group A1 showed an improvement in their left ventricle dimension when compared to the A2 group who only received supportive therapy5. The study determined that a selenium and zinc cardiomyopathy can occur in patients with intestinal malabsorption and that an infusion of both elements can improve a nd possibly prevent the malabsorption associated cardiomyopathy5. In another study conducted by Soinio et al, after a seven year period follow up on both non-diabetic patients and type 2 diabetic patients, it was found that there was an increase in mortality from CVD in patients with lower serum levels of zinc (≠¤14.1 µmol/l) then those who did not (14.1>  µmol/l)3. Most patients on this study were between the ages of 45-64 and the population consisted of 1,050 patients from West and East Finland where 526 were men and 470 were women. Each participant was examined for zinc serum levels after a 12hr fast. Zinc serum levels were determined through atomic absorption spectrotometry after 10 years from stored samples. Out of the 1,050 participants 156 died of coronary heart disease and 254 patients suffered a myocardial infarction. The rest of the surviving participants were divided in groups of non-insulin treated and insulin treated subjects. Those with insulin treatment had a 15.3  µmol/l of fasting serum zinc levels when compared to the non-insulin treatment that had 15.8  µmol/l fasting serum zinc levels. However, after breaking the result into quartiles the results were that low serum levels were an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease for coronary heart disease and fatal/non-fatal myocardial infarctions in patients with type 2 diabetes3. Nonetheless, most of the lower serum zinc levels found in diabetics was related to urinary zinc excretion when compared to non-diabetics. It is important to point out that zinc play critical role in the synthesis and function of insulin and the inhibition of pathways that can lead to apoptosis and possibly the upregulation caspase genes3. In this study zinc was added to in vitro insulin preparations to extend the time of insulin action. Despite insulin being added to the treatment of 149 of the participants with type 2 diabetes, serum zinc levels had no considerable changes between the two groups. Thus, there is a possibility that zinc supplementation may be useful to prevent atherosclerotic complications in type 2 diabetes individuals3. Another study showed that coronary artery disease was more prevalent among individuals with diabetes4. In the same study patients with coronary artery disease had higher urinary excretion of zinc when compared to those without coronary artery disease. In addition there was no association with the zinc levels and diseased arteries, but there was an increase in urinary zinc loss and the number of diseases arteries4. In relation to diabetes mellitus similar to the study performed by Soinio et al, patients with diabetes excreted greater amounts of zinc when compared to normoglycemic individuals4. Regardless of the zinc loss linked to diabetes mellitus and polyuria, zinc concentration was not associated with the onset of coronary arterial disease. The loss of zinc, on the other hand, correlated to the severity of the coronary artery disease. Consequently, the loss of zinc causes a shift of zinc from the intracellular fluid to the extracellular fluid to maintain homeostasis. Thus, affectin g zinc dependent enzymes such as the activating nuclear factor Ä ¸B and the reduction of nitric oxide bioavailability and the macrophage-mediated oxidative modification of LDL cholesterol along with the inflammatory cascades associated with it that ultimately promote atherogenesis4. On the other hand, zinc only accounts for about 0.1% of total body pool and zinc plasma concentrations are an insensitive marker for whole body reserves. Thus, the use of the urine zinc/24hour ratio is a better marker to reflect the risk of coronary artery disease. This was compared to other studies that identified that children from parents with coronary artery disease had higher zinc urinary levels. Suggesting that genetically predisposed children with coronary artery disease have in a long term, ongoing zinc losses taking place before the manifestations of clinical symptoms4. Yet, the question still remains whether supplementation of zinc in individuals with low zinc serum levels could prove to be beneficial to prevent or eliminate cardio arterial disease. In relation to children Sadoh looked if there was any relationship in loss of serum zinc levels with congenital heart diseases and pneumonia. Sadoh looked at 41 Nigerian children with confirmed congenital heart disease and 41 without congenital heart disease. Because congenital heart diseases with left or right shunt are associated with pulmonary over-circulation, which leads to congestive heart failure, the loss of serum zinc levels seem to be increased with pneumonia6. In addition, it has been shown that patients with heart failure who are also receiving diuretic therapy are prone to develop zincuria. The medications associated with zincuria are thiadize and angiostenin converting enzyme inhibitors. In poor countries like Nigeria, children are forced to live with chronic heart failure and the bronchopneumonia, which as mentioned previously can cause low zinc levels. Another possibility for these children to have low zinc serum levels can be related to poor food intake and absorption that arises from the malnutrition they are exposed to6. All participants were evaluated for congenital heart disease and any febrile conditions that would had altered results. In any case, patients would have had to resolve the febrile condition prior to the commencement of the study. Patients were seen every month for seven months were 3 ml of blood was collected from each person. Serum zinc levels were evaluated using the Dogan et al method and atomic absorption spectrophotometer6. The results showed that the mean zinc levels in children congenital heart disease was 101.3 ± 21.6  µg/dl when compared to the controlled who had 106.5  ± 18.3  µg/dl. In children less than one years of age, the mean serum zinc was the highest at 102.6  ± 30.7  µg/dl when compared to children ten years and older at the lowest levels 94.8  ± 12.4  µg/dl. Sadoh also compared children with bronchopneumonia whose zinc levels were lower 89.5  ± 15.0  µg/dl indicating an increase loss of zinc due to the disease. When compared to children without bronchopneumonia, the zinc levels were at 103.9  ± 22.2  µg/dl6. This study showed that congenital heart failure along with complications such as bronchopneumonia increases the chances of low zinc serum levels. Zinc plays a major role as an acute phase reactant in bronchopneumonia thus, causing its depletion in children with both of these conditions. Whether the patients with severe pneumonia usually have low zinc serum levels, the combination of both pneumonia and congenital heart disease make patients more susceptible to low zinc levels. The same is applied to patients with chronic congenital heart disease, although their levels seem to be lower due to the use of diuretics as a treatment. In all cyanotic congenital heart disease patients had higher levels of zinc when compared to those with acyanotic congenital heart disease6. In this study no zinc supplementation was used, but it can be safe to say that a supplementation could have resulted in improvement of both conditions as seen in the previous studies. Conclusion Zinc appears to have protective effects in coronary artery disease and cardiomyopathy in individuals suffering from type 2 diabetes and children with congenital hearts diseases. Intracellular zinc plays a critical role in the oxidative stress reduction protecting from the inflammatory response caused atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, and other diseases. Zinc supplementation has been shown to improve cardiac function and prevent further damage. Thus, its investigation, although emerging in the cardiovascular disease research, its mechanism needs to be better understood in order for it to be used as a preventative and treatment of cardiovascular disease. References Little PJ, Bhattacharya R, Moreyra AE, Korichneva IL. Zinc and Cardiovascular Disease.Nutrition26.11/12 (2010): 1050-057. Abdel-Khalek Abdel-Salam N, Wessam Aly W, Ahmed Hamza S, Mosfata Fahmy H, Kamel Mortagy A. Relation between zinc level and one year mortality among elderly patients with heart failure.Egyptian J H Med. 2014;54:11-14. Soinio M, Marniemi J, Laakso M, Pyà ¶rà ¤là ¤ M, Lehto S, Rà ¶nnemaa T. Serum zinc level and coronary heart disease events in patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 30:523-528, 2007. Giannoglou G, Konstantinou D, Kovatsi L, Chatzizisis Y, Mikhailidis D. Association of Reduced Zinc Status With Angiographically Severe Coronary Atherosclerosis: A Pilot Study.Angiology. July 2010;61(5):449-455. Frustaci A, Sabbioni E, Fortaner S, Farina S, del Torchio R, Tafani M, Morgante E, Ciriolo MR, Russo MA, Chimenti C. Selenium- and zinc-deficient cardiomyopathy in human intestinal malabsorption: preliminary results of selenium/zinc infusion. European Journal Of Heart Failure. February 2012; 14(2):202-210. Sadoh WE, Sadoh AE. Serum zinc values in children with congenital heart disease. African Health Sciences. September 2013; 13(3):601-606.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Internet Security Essay -- Essays Papers

Internet Security INTRODUCTION Many people today are familiar with the Internet and its use. A large number of its users however, are not aware of the security problems they face when using the Internet. Most users feel they are anonymous when on-line, yet in actuality they are not. There are some very easy ways to protect the user from future problems. The Internet has brought many advantages to its users but has also created some major problems. Most people believe that they are anonymous when they are using the Internet. Because of this thinking, they are not careful with what they do and where they go when on the "net." Security is a major issue with the Internet because the general public now has access to it. When only the government and higher education had access, there was no worry about credit card numbers and other types of important data being taken. There are many advantages the Internet brings to its users, but there are also many problems with the Internet security, especially when dealing with pers onal security, business security, and the government involvement to protect the users. THE INTERNET The Internet is a new, barely regulated frontier, and there are many reasons to be concerned with security. The same features that make the Internet so appealing such as interactivity, versatile communication, and customizability also make it an ideal way for someone to keep a careful watch on the user without them being aware of it (Lemmons 1). It may not seem like it, but it is completely possible to build a personal profile on someone just by tracking them in cyberspace. Every action a person does while logged onto the Internet is recorded somewhere (Boyan, Codel, and Parekh 3). An individual's personal security is the major issue surrounding the Internet. If a person cannot be secure and have privacy on the Internet, the whole system will fail. According to the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT), any web site can find out whose server and the location of the server a person used to get on the Internet, whether his computer is Windows or DOS based, and also the Internet browser that was used. This is the only information that can be taken legally. However, it can safely be assumed that in some cases much more data is actually taken (1). These are just a few of the many ways for people to find out the identity of an individu... ... to the FBI (Rothfeder, "November 1996 Feature" 4). CONCLUSION Security for the Internet is improving, it is just that the usage of the Internet is growing much faster. Security is a key issue for every user of the Internet and should be addressed before a person ever logs on to the "net". At best, all users should have passwords to protect themselves, and businesses need to put up firewalls at all points of entry. These are low cost security measures, which should not be over looked in a possible multi-billion dollar industry. BIBLIOGRAPHY Boyan, Justin and Eddie Codel and Sameer Parekh. Center for Democracy and Technology Web Page. Http://www.13x.com/cgi-bin/cdt/snoop.pl accessed January 26, 1997: 1-4. Heim, Judy. "Here's How." PC World Online January 1998: 1-3. Lemmons, Phil. "Up Front." PC World Online February 1998: 1-2. Methvin, David W. "Safety on the Net." Windows Magazine Online : 1-9. 1995 Feature PC World Online November 1-3. Pepper, Jon. "Better Safe Than Sorry." PC World Online October 1996: 1-2 Rothfeder, Jeffrey. "February 1997 Special Report." PC World Online : 1-6 Rothfeder, Jeffrey. "November 1996 Features." PC World Online: 1--6