Reading Reaction Journal # 6

Reference

Say, T. H. (2011, April 7th). Gut microbes may foster heart disease. Science News. Retrieved April 29, 2011, from http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/72372/title/Gut_microbes_may_foster_heart_disease

Summary

            This article discusses the role of microorganisms in development of heart disease. Scientists from the Cleveland Clinic found that bacteria which live normally in the human gut may cause artery blockage by accumulating products resulting from changing fats in some types of food such as meat, dairy, and fish in human stomach into substances. Daniel Rade, a heart disease specialist at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, said ,“We probably have underestimated the role our microbial flora play in modulating disease risk”, while the non-participant, Rader, said the role of bacteria in the incidence of heart disease and diabetes is not important, but it may help in the development of these diseases. A study to examine blood plasma in the heart of patients and deceased people was made by Hazen and his co-workers. They discovered 18 types of the simplest unit of chemical substances resulting from digestive fats; they were accumulated in the arteries of those people. Intestinal bacteria can change lecithin, a type of fats, to gas with bad smell within the gut; this gas will be converted to another product, which is called trimethylamine N-oxide or TMAO. The researchers figured out the correlation between increasing TMAO in the blood and increasing the chances of heart disease in humans and mice. The scientists also found that TMAO will not be produced when they get rid of the gut bacteria by using probiotics; they couldn’t determine which type of microbes contributes in forming TMAO. Many researchers refer to the risk of these bacteria with fats such as colin, an important nutrient which is found in different types of food, on the health of people’s.  According to Hazen, people health will not be good as a result of taking large amounts of this type of nutrients.

Reaction

            My major is Microbiology, so I was very interested in reading this article, which gave me new information on the role of microorganisms in development of heart disease. I knew from this article that the normal intestinal flora can convert lipids that are found in certain kinds of food into harmful products. These products are accumulated in the artery and lead to a hardening of the arteries. This article gave me extra information about the stages of formation of the harmful products. I was very interested in reading this article because it relates to human health, but I noticed that there is a debate among specialists with regard to the importance of the gut bacteria. While some scientists confirmed the usefulness of this group of bacteria, others argue that the elimination of it reduces the risk of heart disease. It is known that the gut bacteria live in the human gut without harming people any more, but now there is a charge that they cause the most serious kinds of diseases. I was surprised when I read that some scientists claim that it is good to get rid of these microbes by using antibiotics or drugs in order to prevent TMAO production; this is not appropriate for people because there is a symbiotic relationship between enterobacteria and the human. If these bacteria are killed, the balance will be destroyed in this relationship; for example, the people will not profit from the various types of vitamins that are produced by intestinal bacteria, and killing the enterobacteria can make people suffer from certain intestinal diseases such as Diarrhea. Therefore, I think it is better if the scientists find alternative methods to protect people’s health such as conducting studies on the metabolism of these bacteria and detecting the type of bacteria which is responsible for the occurrence of the risk. In this way, the harmful kinds of bacteria will be attacked and eliminated rather than dumping all kinds of bacteria, including beneficial types.

Reading Reaction Journal # 5

 

Reference

Zammer,C.(2001,April 20). Bacteria Divide People Into 3 Types, Scientist say. New York Times.Retrieved April 21, 2011, from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/21/science/21gut.html?_r=1&_=1

Summary

            This article discusses the division of people into three groups depending on the types of bacteria which live in human intestines. It is known that humans are classified into four groups according to blood types, but now there is a new way to recognize the people; this way relies on the type of microorganisms which live in the human gut. This discovery is recorded by Rob Knight, a biologist at the University of Colorado. A team of scientists of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg, Germany, discovered no correlation between enterotypes and a national or racial group of people; also they did not find any correlation to gender, age, or the condition of the body, so they searched to find new information.  The author said that children's guts are inhabited by several types of microorganisms which make the intestine appropriate for small kinds of them, and these microbes help to produce substances chemically such as vitamins and  to assimilate food. Dr. Bork and his co-workers mentioned that each kind of microbes makes different state of enzymes work; for instance, enterotype 1 provides the enzymes which help to synthesize vitamin B7, and enterotype 2 helps to produce vitamin B1.The article indicates the importance of blood groups for the doctor, and it stated that knowing the three varieties of bacteria will give advantages to the medicine someday. Dr. Bork said, “Some things are pretty obvious already ” ; he meant that it is possible to use enterotypes to find substitution to antibiotics that are not producing the effects or results that are wanted by trying to supply promotion to beneficial species of bacteria. The article indicates that the human body contains about 100 trillion bacteria, while it consists of only 10 trillion cells. DNA parts were removed from different parts of human body such as skin and saliva .Scientists examined and compared the genes of micro biome with either new or common types of bacteria such as   E.coli .Also, studies have indicated the presence of a significant difference in the types of microbes from one person to another in certain parts of the human body such as the mouth, and  the scientists asked whether these studies can detect the unity of people’s microorganisms. Now that genotypes of the hundreds of species of bacteria that live in the human body have been identified, it is possible to compare with these sources to identify the functions of each type of genes and identify any species depending on its genetic information. In addition, the recent study by Dr. Bork and his team on healthy people, people with intestinal problems, and overweight people showed that each group of people has different type of micro biome, and each group is consisted of various kinds of microbes.

Reaction

            My major is Microbiology, so I was very interested in reading this article, which gave me new information of the existence of heterogeneity in the type of microbial aggregates in the gut of healthy, unhealthy, and obese people. I have already learned that there are many types of the bacteria  that live in the human intestines, and they help the human body to regulate many metabolism processes as well as produce many kinds of vitamins such as vitamin B1 and B2. This article gave me extra information about the discovery of genetic maps and how they are used to identify bacterial species, and it helps me to figure out the different types of bacteria in the three groups of people. Although the author stressed the existence of the micro biome of the three groups of people, he did not explain the reasons that led to this variation. When I read the article I thought about the reasons for the existence of a certain group of microbes in the gut of   a certain group of people. If the intestines of the healthy people are inhabited by the bacteria which is called Bacteroids, that means it is the normal kind of the gut micro biome, so why do people with intestinal diseases have different types of microbes? Are there special types of chemical compounds that are produced in the intestines of unhealthy people? If so, what are these products? Do they encourage the growth of a group of microbes without the other? Is the growth of these bacterial groups negatively affecting the growth of the gut micro biome? Do the microbes which are living in the gut of unhealthy people have a role in developing the intestinal problems or no? Do such types appear when the immune system of the body becomes weak? I think it is important to find a new system to classify the people, but we have to find explanation for each of the questions which are mentioned above to strengthen this system.

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 .

The Depression

           The depression is one of the most common disorders. Many people have swing mood. In other words, sometimes they are happy, and sometimes they are very sad. The depression is normal when the person has a bad situation such as loss one member of his family or loss the job, but it become abnormal when the moods are more intense. People who are suffering from depression fell always useless, worthless, lonely, and hopeless about their life or future. Also those people have feeling of guilt, irritability, and restlessness. In addition depressed people loss of interest in activities or hobbies, don’t want to eat, has trouble remembering things, and cannot sleep well. The people with the depression could be helped by encouraging going to the doctor to get appropriate diagnosis and treatment, offering emotional supports, and reminding that this problem will leave with the time and the treatment.

The dream that I can remember well

Before I came to the United States, I had seen a good dream. In this dream, I saw that I walked in a desert and I did not know the way to return my home. While I walking and crying, a beautiful lady appeared in my way. She came to me and told me to be comfortable. She told me that she will help me to go home, but first I should go with her to the shrine of Prophet Mohammed to ask him to ask my god to help me. She led me to the shrine and told me that I am now in a safe place, and the god will help me.                                   
I think there are many symbol in my dream, for example , the desert is a symbol of some difficulties in my life, and a beautiful lady is a symbol of a good new life. Also the shrine of the prophet is a symbol of faith. In other words my dream means that the hard time that I live  will finish , and my life will be changed soon with a patience and a faith  .