Reading Reaction Journal # 4

Reference

American Society for Microbiology. (2008, June 5). Humans have ten times more bacteria than human cells: How do microbial communities affect human health? Science Daily. Retrieved April 19, 2011, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080603085914.htm

Summary

            This article discusses the microbial community in the human body and how they inhabit in large numbers in our bodies; if these numbers are changed, many diseases may be influenced as a result of this. Many research studies were done in order to figure out what the benefit of bacteria in our bodies is and why the change in the numbers of them may cause some disorders. The molecular technology helps us to know the features of the useful or good types of microbes within the body, and they are named as micro biomes. Martin Blaser of New York University has sought to recognize and name the exact character of the bacteria and viruses which endemic people skin and help to create a barrier for protecting from external environment. This happened by modern a DNA technique. At first, the researchers found 6 types of bacteria which live in the human skin, then they discovered that the number of the microorganisms on the skin may reach 500 types; 10 types of them are prevalent while others are founded in small numbers and in one host. Blaser said‟ It is entirely possible that everyone could have a unique bacterial signature much in the same way everyone has a unique DNA signature or a unique fingerprint″. The author referred to the existence of a difference in the types of microbes that live on the skin of healthy people and people with skin diseases such as psoriasis. Another study is done by Daniel Frank of the University of Colorado, Boulder, and his colleagues. They are interested in investigating how some bacterial species cause intestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis. The researchers figured out that there is a rapid change in the types of bacteria in the gut of healthy people and others who are suffering from intestine problems. In addition, Ruth Ley of Washington University in St. Louis with her team referred to the role of the microbes in fatness. They found that people might be obese when the micro biome in the gut is changed. Some researchers emphasize the importance of understanding human health, and many research studies are done in order to figure out the correlation between the change in human micro biome and some particular disorders.

Reaction

            My major is Microbiology, so I was very amused in reading this article, which gave me extra information of the relationship between the changes in a human micro biome and occurrence of some diseases. Many people believe that the bacteria are dangerous to human health and the integrity of the body, but they do not know that there are some types of bacteria in the body that are useful to the health. They may not know that the human body contains many bacteria and microbes, and some of these may be large in number than the number of cells in the human body. This article gave me the idea that the name of the population of microorganisms which live in many parts of the human body is micro biome, while many books and articles named them micro flora or normal flora because the live normally in many areas in the human body without causing any damage to the human health. I already knew that many species of bacteria play a role in protecting the body from certain diseases, and any change in the number of microbial cells can cause health problems such as Crohn’s disease and obesity; however, there is a symbiotic relationship between our bodies and the bacteria which live in it, so they act as useful to us at the same time we serve the interests of them. We can say that there are common interests between our bodies and the bacteria in the natural conditions. There is a kind of balance, but the equation is disrupted when this balance is upset in a favor of one of the parties. The bacteria serve mankind as long as the specific growth rate should not exceed the rate of balance. Microorganisms may become pathogens if they exceed the natural rate, and they will not play a role that is required to serve the body as a whole if they decreased. Finally, I dream to see the day when the people are aware of the truth about their bodies and the possible microbes in each part of it; they should know that the microbes colonize the human body during birth or shortly thereafter and remain lifelong, and not all types of microbes are harmful.

Reading Reaction Journal # 2

Smart Kids: Why Do Schools Stigmatize “Gifted Children”?

Reference

Bennett, Paul W. (2010, November 26). Smart Kids: Why Do Schools Stigmatize “Gifted Children”? Posted in Higher Standards, Gifted Education. Retrieved March 30, 2011, from http://educhatter.wordpress.com/2010/11/26/smart-kids-why-do-schools-stigmatize-gifted-children/

Summary

          This article discusses school’s denouncing talented children. The author mentioned that( the beginning of )gifted education started in the 1950s when the intelligent kids were determined and put in isolated classes with various names after 1958. Many articles were written to explain this topic, but they did little more than promote the presenting conception about gifted system. Also, the author said that he was bothered by the “one - size - first - all"  conception of public education although he studied in the same system; he discovered during working in his new book that Michael B. Katz  noticed the influence of social class on Canada’s  public education and identified  some class facts which caused increasing new bureaucratic education. The article showed that researchers have different views about gifted children, and the parents seeking to prove the talent of their children. This is proved by the Globe Life polls which were made on Nov. 11 and Nov. 15, 2010. Despite conflicting views on this thread, 73%of the parents prefer to enroll their children in this program. Moreover, the author pointed out that children need for outlets to adapt their mental talents in some areas such as Toronto’s Forest Hill. In addition, the article stated that public education is criticized by some American critics because some of them believe that the public school is obligatory factor for the students and their teachers. Finally, the author pointed out that although some parents cannot pay for expensive gifted programs, no other options are available. 

Reaction

          This is the first time that I read about Gifted Children. It is very thorny and sensitive subject. I knew from this article that this topic has an old history and various views between people as well as researchers .I think  the gifted child is the child who shows remarkable performance in the academic dimensions .Also, he or she excels in one or more of the following: general intellectual ability, special academic readiness, creative ability, leadership ability, and ability in the performing arts-visual. I think he or she needs the service and program which is not normally offered by the school because this student outnumbers his or her colleagues in the ordinary rate of acquiring information since outperforms their knowledge is different from ordinary. I believe the gifted or superior student needs to the permanent care, encouragement, enlightenment, and advice that helped him to develop his talent.  I reviewed the comment of jtc, and I was surprised at her saying that the system of the gifted child is ridiculous. She also talked about negative feelings of the ordinary children towards the gifted child. Perhaps this is true, but this is not a convincing reason to neglect the smart kids. Talented people in the conscious communities enjoy special recognition; this reflects the bright image of those communities that transcends their intelligence, raises their status, and develops their abilities. It is important to exercise caution in the identification and classification of gifted because the wrong classification often leads to killing the talents of children who are neglected for one reason or another.

Microbiology of Dental Plaque

Reference

Haake, Susan  K. ( n.d. ) . Microbiology of Dental Plaque . Periodontics  Information Center .Retrieved March 24, 2011, from http://www.dent.ucla.edu/pic/members/microbio/mdphome.html.

Summary

            This article discusses the role of microorganisms in the formation of dental plaque. The author defined a plaque as “ a microbial community”; he mentioned that there are approximately 400 species (types) of bacteria which can be found in a dental plaque in addition to few epithelial cells, leukocytes, and inorganic compounds. The new classification of a dental plaque depends on the variation in a microbial content of a plaque of healthy and unhealthy tooth. Many research studies were done in order to give information on the compositional and microbial features of a dental plaque. The results showed the way of interacting between bacterial cells and the layer that covers the tooth which is called pellicle, so many types of gram positive bacteria can colonize this layer. After attaching, a bacterial cell starts to divide and increase in number to form a colony. The colonization occurs in sequential stages, and each of them has particular groups of microorganisms. In addition, the metabolic products of one type of bacteria help another type to come and live in a dental plaque. Furthermore, the article referred to the  increase in a motile and anaerobic gram positive microbes in unhealthy gingiva between  25-75  times more than in healthy ones .Finally, the article stated that the distinctive microbes which are involved in formation of a dental plaque contain 7 facultative species and 7 anaerobic  species.

Reaction

            My major is Microbiology, so I was very amused in reading this article, which gave me extra information of a role of microorganisms in configuring a dental plaque. I knew by this article the various species of microbes which are involve in developing a dental plaque. I understood the steps of invasion and colonization, and I saw the results of the modern research which focused on dental plaque. This article helps me to know the importance of some substances that  are produced by bacteria to encourage the growth of others. In addition, it gave me new information about the name, shape, and classification of microbes that play an important role in dental plaque formation, and it helps me to have a real view about the microbial community in healthy and unhealthy gingiva. Consequently, there are differences between developed and non-advanced communities in the formation of a real perception of the seriousness of a dental plaque.  I dream to see the day when healthy teeth are the ambition of everybody, and when people in each community see that it is important to pay attention for their teeth health. By knowing the truth about the risk which is caused by microorganisms in the mouth, getting information about them , and trying to protect the teeth from microbes attacking by regular cleaning of them with the help of the dentist .